South African quartet Amaponi in performance at the launch of South Africa Week, held at the Hilton Kingston hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, on Monday. - Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Strictly the best of South Africa was on display this week at the Hilton Kingston hotel as the High Commission hosted South Africa Week.

The week got off with a reception on Monday and High Commissioner to South Africa, Advocate Faith D'Radebe, said the week coincided with her country's heritage celebrations, as September is Heritage Month. The highlight for them is the 24th, a day specially marked by the government where persons of different backgrounds and races are encouraged to learn from each other.

The heritage celebrations see South Africans celebrating their culture, history, skills and indigenous knowledge. So, for Jamaicans who have not had the pleasure of visiting the country, the week gave them a chance to listen to South African music, read some of its literature and eat of its cuisine. As part of the decor, three huts were constructed with animal skins and artwork hanging from their walls.

Cultural dance

Cultural group Amaponi, which means 'little horses', were special guests and performers at the launch. The quartet are all siblings and their parents are both musicians. The elders formed a group, Ihashi Elimhlope, which means 'White Horse', hence their children coming up with their name. Despite some technical difficulties with the sound, they still provided a foot-stomping, pulsating song and dance routine complete with the high-kicks and shrill shouts which caused a stir everytime they did it.

Delicious dishes

Guests tried some of the dishes and found some similarities. For example, chicken curry and steamed rice sounds familiar, doesn't it? One of the favourites was the seafood casserole with deep fried dumplings and the sausage with chakalaka. Chakalaka is basically a mixture of peppers, beans and other condiments, all smothered in tomato sauce. Delicious! To wash it down, guests sampled amarula rum cream, castle lager and savanna cry cider; just three of the South African beverages on offer.

Guests included High Commissioner for St. Kitts and Nevis Cedric Harper and wife Barbara; Tourism Minister Aloun Assamba; Mike and Peggy Fennell; Barbara Gloudon; Dr. Hopeton Dunn; Deon Silvera; Jackie Coke-Lloyd; Maria Jones; Juan Carlos Espinola; Glynne Manley; Clyde McKenzie; Ecuadorian Consul Clelia Barreto de Hunter; Peter and Carol Brady; Tom DeSulme and Lois Lake-Sherwood.

Governor-General of Jamaica Professor Kenneth Hall (left) and wife Rheima Holding-Hall (second left) chat with South African High Commissioner Faith D'Radebe and husband Jabu, at the launch of South Africa Week.