| Dear fellow travelers,
Wow, what a month it's been. Unfortunately, Africa still faces its (sometimes unfair) sets of challenges. This was however not the case with ugly outbreaks of xenophobic attacks in South Africa in May, aimed at Africans from other countries. The country and its leaders were justifiably reprimanded by African leaders and the attacks were condemned worldwide. If we are to work together to promote our continent we can ill afford such shameful behaviour.
So in this issue we have chosen focus on the positive aspects of South Africa and its beautiful people, places and spaces.
The Radisson Blu is a globally competitive hotel group and justifiably so. Their two wonderful properties in South Africa, in Cape Town and Johannesburg respectively, can hold its own with any top 5-star hotel in the world.
Then we travel far and wide to the Northern Cape where the Augrabies region of South Africa is one of our biggest and most beautiful secrets. The Khoi people called the Augrabies Falls 'Aukoerebis', or place of Great Noise, as this powerful flow of water is unleashed from rocky surroundings characterised by the 18km abyss of the Orange River Gorge. The ferocity and force of the masses of water makes the impact of it even more spectacular against the dryness of the boulders which are almost 200 million years old.
Augrabies provides white-water river rafting on the mighty Orange River, 4x4 trials in the beautiful desert dunes or just the inviting peace of the incredible landscape with its luxury lodges.
Back inland and we venture to the tiny hamlet of Clarens in the Eastern Free State of South Africa. "The Free State landscape gladdens my heart, no matter what my mood. When I am here I feel that nothing can shut me in, that my thoughts can roam as far as the horizons." – So said our beloved former State President Nelson Mandela in his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom and we visited Clarens just to see what all the fuss is about – and you will too!
So enjoy this June issue of Africa Travel and until next month, bon voyage!
Jo Kromberg,
Travel Editor | 
