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Infused with the history of the struggle against apartheid and alive with the energy of the city of gold, Soweto is a must-see for tourists in search of more than sun, sea and the big five.

Perched between the ocean and the mountain, and with a national park as its heart, Cape Town is wild and wonderful. Among its attractions are climbing, surfing and diving along with vibrant nightlife, excellent wine and endless shopping.

If you've got more time than money, there's no better way to see South Africa than to backpack your way around its many offerings: spectacular beauty, a mosaic of cultures, incredible value for money, massive adventure potential - and an undeniable penchant for partying!

South Africa was built on mining, and its mines were built on migrant workers. Millions of black men across southern Africa were forced by economic circumstance and taxes to travel to the city of gold, leaving their families at home. Here they toiled long hours underground in dangerous conditions. Wits Art Museum lays bare their lives.

Twenty years of freedom have transformed Soweto, once a sprawling dormitory dumping ground for Johannesburg's black workers, into a green and attractive city of its own, with housing, parks, shopping malls, efficient public transport and a vibrant tourist trade.

First there were the dreary little boxes of RDP houses. Then there came the growing recognition that it's not just houses that need to be built; communities and places where people actually want to live are required. And Cornubia is one of the first communities to come out of the Breaking New Ground policy.

On the eve of the anniversary of last year's Marikana tragedy, the government, police and mining stakeholders have launched a mine crime combating forum to tackle continuing unrest and restore calm in South Africa's mining sector.

Each year, on Nelson Mandela’s birthday, people around the world are encouraged to give up 67 minutes of their time to improving the world for everyone. We’ve rounded up a few options of where you can do your good deeds.

By revamping and maintaining rental living space, the Johannesburg Social Housing Company is addressing a need for affordable, safe and clean housing in the city and surrounds.
• Drive to clear housing backlog

Walking off with two awards, Otelo Burning was one of a number of South African films that won nine awards in total at the 2012 Africa Movie Academy Awards in Lagos, Nigeria.
• e'Lollipop sequel soon for SA