The Afrikaans Language Monument is a prominent landmark on the side of the Paarl (“pearl”) mountain in the Cape Winelands in South Africa. This may arguably be the only monument ever erected for a language. It commemorates the history of one of the youngest and most modern languages in the world.
The history of the language starts with the Dutch settlement in 1652. Soon after arriving the Dutch imported slaves from Malaysia which had already been colonized by the Dutch. The Malaysian slaves brought a simplified Dutch to the new settlement in the Cape. From this developed a lingua franca that was used by all the inhabitants of the new settlement - although Dutch was still the official language and used in Government and the Church. The French Huguenots that arrived in 1866 added their influence, as did the English who took over the Cape Colony in 1806.
Although Afrikaans was generally used by the Dutch and French descendants, as well as the descendants of the slaves and the local Khoi people, it was scorned as “kitchen Dutch.” It was only as a result of the efforts of the Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners (Society of True Afrikaners) in Paarl that Afrikaans was officially recognised as a language in its own right. The first Afrikaans Bible was published in 1933.
The German-guided version of our tour that covers the highlights of South Africa (link to English tour provided as well). It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.
Highlights:
Panorama Route
,
Blyde River Canyon
,
Kruger National Park
,
Swaziland
,
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
,
St. Lucia
,
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
,
Transkei
,
Garden Route
,
Storm’s River Mouth
,
Knysna
,
Cango Caves
,
Route 62
,
Cape Winelands
,
Stellenbosch
,
Paarl
,
Cape Town
.
This private guided tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.
Highlights:
Panorama Route
,
Blyde River Canyon
,
Kruger National Park
,
Swaziland
,
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
,
St. Lucia
,
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
,
Transkei
,
Garden Route
,
Storm’s River Mouth
,
Knysna
,
Cango Caves
,
Route 62
,
Cape Winelands
,
Stellenbosch
,
Paarl
,
Cape Town
.
This self-drive tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.
Highlights:
Panorama Route
,
Blyde River Canyon
,
Kruger National Park
,
Swaziland
,
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
,
St. Lucia
,
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
,
Transkei
,
Garden Route
,
Storm’s River Mouth
,
Knysna
,
Cango Caves
,
Route 62
,
Cape Winelands
,
Stellenbosch
,
Paarl
,
Cape Town
.
This tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.
Highlights:
Panorama Route
,
Blyde River Canyon
,
Kruger National Park
,
Swaziland
,
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
,
St. Lucia
,
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
,
Transkei
,
Garden Route
,
Storm’s River Mouth
,
Knysna
,
Cango Caves
,
Route 62
,
Cape Winelands
,
Stellenbosch
,
Paarl
,
Cape Town
.
The Town of Paarl is one of the three main centres in the Cape Winelands, rich in history and culture. The name Paarl means “pearl” and is derived from the granite boulders on top of Paarl mountain. A visit to Paarl is normally the first stop on a full day tour or the Cape Winelands.
The Paarl mountain dominates the town of Paarl. The name is derived from the Dutch word for a pearl. It refers to three huge boulders on top of the mountain that glisten like pearls in the sun after rain.
South African wines are rated with those from the other top wine-producing regions in the world. The district of Paarl in the Cape Winelands boasts approximately 30 of the 100 plus estates in the Cape Winelands. Many of them cater for visitors with the opportunity of wine tasting.