For four South African entertainers, home is found in the country’s rich mix of cultures, comforting food, natural beauty and the powerful sense of unity that emerges when the nation has something to celebrate.
Key takeaways
- Wiseman Mncube finds calm beside waterfalls, where he can pray, meditate and reconnect with himself.
- Carol Ofori celebrates South Africa’s 12 official languages, including Sign Language, as well as its wide-ranging cuisine.
- Martin Bester says international sporting events can quickly bring South Africans together behind one team.
- Kriya Gangiah believes the country’s diversity and welcoming spirit are what make returning home so meaningful.
What makes South Africa feel like home
Heritage Day is not only about preserving customs; it is also about the emotions attached to them. The smell and sociability of a braai, a beloved meal and an act of unexpected kindness can all create a sense of belonging. The occasion gives South Africans an opportunity to reflect on the ties that connect people across different cultures, languages and histories, and on why the country feels so distinctly like home.
Actor Wiseman Mncube, radio and television presenter Carol Ofori, Jacaranda FM host Martin Bester and sports broadcaster Kriya Gangiah each shared the parts of South African life they value most. Their reflections range from language and cuisine to nature, sport and the community spirit that appears during important moments.
For Mncube, peace is found away from studios, sets and stages. His ideal retreat is any place with a waterfall.
He describes the sound and presence of falling water as deeply soothing. When he visits one, he uses the time to pray, meditate and regain a sense of himself.
Being beneath the water as it flows over him helps him disconnect from daily pressures, slow down and focus on the present. For the actor, the appeal of a waterfall is therefore much more than its scenery; it offers a chance to become calm and centred again.
Ofori sees the nation’s heritage most clearly through its food and languages. She views South Africa’s recognition of 12 official languages, Sign Language included, as a remarkable reflection of the country’s diverse community.
She also treasures the dishes created through that shared and varied heritage. A typical celebration might bring together grilled meat, pap and milk tart, while vetkoek and amagwinya are among the other favourites that showcase the country’s culinary range.
To Ofori, South African food is colourful, generous and capable of connecting with people from around the world. The fact that all of those flavours can be found within the country makes them especially meaningful.
Unity through sport, culture and kindness
Bester believes one of the quickest ways to reveal South Africa’s common ground is to put the national team on the field. People may lead very different lives, he says, but a World Cup match or a contest against an international side can suddenly make them feel remarkably alike. At the heart of that shared energy is a simple desire: everyone wants the team to win.
He says the country’s generosity extends well beyond sport. South Africans, in his view, are eager to help when someone is in need and often look for ways to be useful. That instinct to care for others is part of what makes them among the world’s friendliest people, and a quality he considers particularly special.
Gangiah has experienced many countries through her work, yet she says the feeling of returning to South Africa remains unmatched. The sports presenter is drawn to the nation’s combination of cultures, customs, languages and cuisines, and to the way those elements merge into something uniquely South African.
Her travels have also reinforced her appreciation for the warmth she encounters at home. Regardless of a person’s background, she says, there is often an immediate feeling of community and shared belonging. That welcoming spirit, more than any single place, is what makes South Africa feel like home to her.
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