South Africa has been the setting for some very memorable cinematic moments. In accord with this and the current coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown I thought that it would be a good time to review a few of these. Perhaps some of us will stream a movie to remind ourselves of aspects of South African culture and its stunning geography. I remember lining up outside the cinema complex in the 1980s for The Gods Must Be Crazy and its sequel. Suddenly, the Coke bottle became something else entirely in the minds of millions of people globally. The late Jamie Uys wrote and directed this phenomenal success and this film contained some of the most famous cinematic scenes from South Africa. It put the San bushmen on the map for filmgoers everywhere.

A Freeman Playing a Much-Loved President

Invictus placed fan favourite Morgan Freeman in the cinematic shoes of the late South African President, Nelson Mandela, during the 1996 Rugby World Cup. In this full of feeling sports movie, starring Matt Damon as Springbok captain François Pienaar, director Clint Eastwood captures the country in transition. There are many famous cinematic scenes from South Africa in this great film. 

Leonardo DiCaprio Loved Filming in South Africa

Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio sits at the other end of the emotion spectre. Shot on location in Cape Town and Port Edward this movie highlights human greed, human exploitation and violence. DiCaprio was later recorded saying that he loved filming in South Africa, where he found the people warm and the landscapes stunning.

​Prawns Were Never the Same
 
Is there a better film made in South Africa than District 9? This 2009 Neill Blomkamp movie is an allegorical science fiction themed affair. It was filmed in Johannesburg and captures the ghettoes but with aliens inhabiting them. District 9 was a global hit and was nominated for four Academy awards. Laugh out loud funny this movie artfully delivered the reality of the apartheid history of South Africa to audiences of all ages around the world.
 
In my own recent experience, during the 2020 virus crisis, I sometimes feel like I have been transported into one of those zombie films. People around me are wearing face masks and giving me a wide berth whilst we shop for essential items in supermarkets. Vast expanses of empty shelves surround me where once the toilet paper, flour, rice, pasta and hand sanitiser used to be.

In 2002 Mr. Bones starring Leon Schuster became the highest grossing South African film of all time.

In 1987 Quest For Love was the first gay-themed movie released in South Africa.

Tsotsi won the Academy Award for foreign language film in 2006.

These are just some of the many famous cinematic scenes from South Africa.

South Africa, as of mid-April 2020, has according to the latest report in Sciencemag.org flattened the curve of the rate of coronavirus infections. South Africa is into its third week of COVID-19 lockdown and this will continue at least until the end of April. The nation is, like many countries around the globe, looking to ease restrictions and resume some degree of functionality. I thought that many of our readers, here at African Vibe would appreciate an update on South Africa: Coronavirus news. The Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize has a team of scientists advising the government about the possible next phase of response to this global pandemic.

COVID-19: How It Began in South Africa

The first coronavirus infection was detected in South Africa on the 5th of March 2020. Following this the epidemic charted an exponential curve, which was quite similar to that of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Then, on the 15th of March the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national state of emergency, which prevented overseas visitors from high-risk countries entering South Africa. Next, on the 27th of March came a 3-week lockdown, which involved closing all borders and confining residents to their homes. Those performing essential services were exempted from these restrictions.

The Lockdown Has Flattened the Curve in South Africa

This lockdown has been extended up until the end of April. The lockdown has dramatically reduced the number of daily infections. Today, the average constant is around 70 new cases per day. There are 2 415 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection and 27 deaths. Speculation about low levels of testing in poorer communities has been disputed by Salim Abdool Karim a scientist who chairs the South African COVID-19 advisory group. He says that there has been increased testing within these poorer communities. The lockdown has been very effective in flattening the curve in South Africa.
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Karim does not think that South Africa will, however, avoid a future surge in coronavirus cases. Rather, he considers, that the lockdown has bought the nation some much needed time to prepare. Tens of thousands of community health workers have been sent into villages and townships to screen and test people. They will attempt to control outbreaks within areas and prevent the spread of the virus. Field hospitals are being erected and the nation is expanding its capacity for burials. South Africa: Coronavirus news is better than expected right now, but things could take a not unexpected turn for the worse in the not too distant future. We here at African Vibe wish our very best for all South Africans everywhere. 

Have you had a Bunny Chow? The South African fast-food sensation, which is taking Sydney by storm. Bite into a ‘bunny’ and you won’t know yourself! A delicious Durban curry inside a loaf of bread. Originating from Gujarati South African based Indians, it has become a global phenomenon.  A bunnychow is slang for mouth-watering Gujarati food. You can get a ‘kota’ – a quarter bunny made from a variety of fillings. So, Mahatma Gandhi is not the only amazing Indian export to come out of South Africa. Bunnychow in Sydney: Durban Street food in Balgowlah is knocking the socks off locals and visitors alike.

Mountains of Dragons is the meaning of the name given to this 1000km escarpment in South Africa. Does the name of a major geographical feature get anymore evocative than this? The Drakensberg Mountains: Inspirational wonder par excellence. These mountains enclose the central South African plateau and reach more than 3, 840 metres at the highest point. You can see the pointy tops of a massive dragon stretching across the horizon, especially at the right time of the day. This is a dramatic skyline landscape feature and sets the scene for exciting adventures. You might even find a dinosaur fossil if you are lucky.

South Africa & Australia Once Joined Geologically

There is a theory that the reason many South Africans feel so at home in Australia is because the two land masses were once joined as part of the giant land mass Gondwanaland. The west coast of Australia abutted the east coast of the African continent. Of course, this was some 180 million years ago but in geological terms this is fairly recent. The Drakensberg Mountains were formed via a mantle plume around this time and the resulting rift valleys on each side of the bulge became the proto-Indian and proto- Atlantic oceans. I always thought that South Africa was a catalyst for world change.

The High Peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains

The Drakensberg Mountains highest peak is Thabana Ntlenyana, which rises to 3, 482m. Other high points are Mafadi at 3, 450m, Makoaneng 3, 416m, Njesuthi 3, 408m, and Champagne Castle 3, 377m. There are great opportunities for hikers across this magnificent escarpment. You will be suitably impressed with the rugged natural beauty of this landscape. There are steep challenges and milder climbs available for hikers of all ages and fitness levels. The high treeless peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains have been lauded by the World Wide Fund for Nature for their ecological uniqueness.

Do yourself a favour and put the Drakensberg Mountains on your South African adventure bucket list, as must do places to visit. Take in deep breaths of fresh mountain air and feel alive. This is ancient rock emanating dragon myths and tales of wondrous things. There is rare flora and fauna to see. Antelopes and the rare white rhino live on the lower slopes. There are baboons, wildebeest, and chameleons to observe in their natural settings. You can, also, check out cave paintings from the San bushmen. There are some 40, 000 San rock art works, which is the largest collection of its kind in the world.