Cross Cultural Understanding

South Africa

Lecturer :
Fauziah Fahmi Y.N., S.Pd.,MA

Arranged by:
1. Puteri Meidya Qatrunada (180809377)
2. Anis Novita Sari (1808093)
3. Ramadhanisa Kinanti (1808093)
4. Dedi Dwi Haryadi (1808093)
5. Indra Wahyu (1808093)
6. M. Dhiayul Aufa (1808093)

Programme of Study D IV Air Transport Management

College of Aerospace Technology

Yogyakarta

2019
 FOREWORD

Assalamualaikum. Wr. Wb.

First at all, give thanks for God’s love and grace for us. Thanks to Allah SWT for
helping me and give me chance to finish this assighment timely. And I would like to
say thank you to Ms. Fauziah Fahmi Y.N., S.Pd.,MA as the lecturer that always
teaches us and give much knowledge about how to practice English well.

This assighment is the one of English task that composed of Cross Cultural
Understanding. As Second Language I realized this assighment is not perfect. But I
hope it can be useful for us. Critics and suggestion is needed here to make this
assighment be better.

Hopefully we as a student in “College of Aerospace Technology” can work more

professional by using English as the second language whatever we done.

Thank you.

Wassalamualaikum. Wr. Wb.

Yogyakarta, November 30th, 2019

Author
 TABLE OF CONTENT

FOREWORD
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER I............................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................1
A. Background........................................................................................................1
B. Formulate of the Problem...................................................................................2
C. Aims of Paper.....................................................................................................3

CHAPTER II...........................................................................................................4
CONTENT..............................................................................................................4
A. The Definition Of Cross Cultural Understanding..............................................4
B. The Benefits of Cross Culture Understanding....................................................6
C. Types of Culture...............................................................................................10
D. Symbol of South Africa....................................................................................10
E. Values in a South Africa...................................................................................13
F. Rituals in a South Africa...................................................................................16
H. Heroes of South Africa.....................................................................................20
F. Polite & Impolite Behaviour.............................................................................22

CHAPTER III........................................................................................................25
CONCLUSION.....................................................................................................25
A. Conclusion........................................................................................................25
B. Suggest..............................................................................................................25

REFERENCES......................................................................................................26
 1

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

A. Background

The ability to work with people from other cultures is becoming increasingly
necessary in our global work environment. Even if you never travel abroad, it’s
important to be ready to mix with other cultures as each year the number of
immigrants is increasing. Likewise, the number of interpersonal exchanges at the
global level via video and teleconferences is becoming more frequent. How can
we handle these situations effectively? How do we avoid personalizing our
differences into likes and dislikes? Is there a way to understand and respect our
differences and use them to build something that is stronger and more flexible
than before? Most people with little cultural understanding struggle with the
differences they experience relating to others from another culture. Deep inside
many of us is a belief that relating to a person from another culture should be
easy. When it isn’t easy and the differences are pronounced, our reaction is often
impatience and even hostility.
However, belittling another culture or considering them difficult or
ridiculous is like the turtle with its hard shell looking at the humming bird with its
long beak and tiny wings and calling the hummingbird ridiculous for how fast it
moves. Both the turtle and the hummingbird exist for very specific reasons, and
we would not be at all successful trying to force one to become like the other. It’s
better to seek to understand the cultural differences at a deep level, improving our
cultural intelligence and our ability to relate successfully with a wide variety of
differences. The purpose of this paper is to explore and expand our cultural
understanding in an attempt to improve cross cultural relations. The United States
culture grooms people from an early age to think independently and take risk and
initiative. They are encouraged to be an individual and follow their own path, to
 2

show creativity in their classroom assignments, and they often see themselves as
equal to authority. Outside the United States, the rules are very different.
Countries like Japan and France contrast strongly to the North American model.
For example, rather than promoting individual stardom as we do in the United
States, the Japanese have an expression, “The goose that honks gets shot.” Their
focus is not to call attention to oneself, but instead, promote harmony and group
cohesiveness. Put two people representing these different cultures in the room
together, with no cultural understanding, and there will be many
misunderstandings resulting from their interaction.
South Africa is a state with such a long history of state violence in the past.
In South Africa, apartheid political system become the main source of legal and
political violence based on ethnic and race identity. The white dominant regime
in South Africa rule with the “everyday terror” through some policy representing
race domination in social, economic, education, and politics ultimately. The
radical political change in South Africa brought the new horizon of hope and
demand for thousands victims of state violence during the authoritarianism.
Reconciliation and rehabilitation become the main issues related the victims
existence in new democratic situation. As the matter of fact, reconciliation
process in South Africa shows some interesting aspects to learn.

B. Formulate of the Problem

 3

Cultural factors in Indonesia are very different from those in the South Africa
or other countries. For this reason, there are several contradictions that will
appear in the next chapter, as for the questions:

1. What is CCU?

2. What are benefits understanding about CCU?

3. What are the details about the types of CCU?

4. What are the symbols, values, heroes, and rituals in South Africa?

5. Polite and Impolite Behavior?

C. Aims of Paper

1. To find out about CCU between Indonesian and South Africa Countries

2. To know and understand about the types of CCU

3. To find out how to understand CCU

4. To find out about the diversity in South Africa

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CHAPTER II
CONTENT

A. The Definition Of Cross Cultural Understanding

CCU (Cross Culture Understanding) is one of the important studies in the

mastery of English. Cross Culture Understanding is very necessary in
understanding people or the environment from other countries, South Africa for
example, who have different cultures, habits and backgrounds. Cross Culture
Understanding is one of the capital in becoming an English teacher, is as our
capital in understanding the habits of South Africa’s people especially.
Cross Cultural Understanding derived from three words that cross, cultural,
and understanding, of the three words different meanings. Understanding of the
Cross is cross-culture, the culture between both countries that lasted through the
mass media or through other means mutually influence each culture. Culture is
the "glue" that binds a group of people together. (Douglas-Brown, 1994). Culture
is an Elusive construct constantly that shifts over time and According to who is
perceiving and interpreting it. (Linda Harklau-1999). In Classic, the culture is
Called culture, which comes from the Latin word Colere, the process or work.
Can be also interpreted as to cultivate the land or farming. The word culture is
also sometimes translated as "culture" in Indonesian. Understanding Inter-
Personal (Interpersonal Understanding) is the desire to understand others. It is the
ability to listen and accurately understand the thoughts, feelings, other people's
 5

problems That cannot be uttered or not fully delivered. This competency measure
complexity and depth of understanding of other people, also including cross-
cultural sensitivity. So, the definition of cross-cultural understanding are: All
human beings experience the same felling Plus They travel to or live in a
different country or culture. (Obeg, 1998). Whenever someone goes overseas,he
is like a fish out of water. (Mason, 2000).
Terminology within the cross cultural communication field can sometimes be
baffling to those reading the literature ,websites or promotional material.Many
ask what is the difference between ‘intercultural’and ‘cross cultural’?what
is’cross cultural awareness’as opposed to ‘cross cultural
knowledge’or,are’cultural sensitivity’and and cultural competence’the same
thing? With a view to clarifying some of the above mentioned termonology,will
examine terms used in relation to building cross cultural understanding within the
business world.
Cross cultural understanding simply refers to the basic ability of people
within business to recognize, interpret and correctly react to people, incidences or
situations that are open to misunderstanding due to cultural differences. The
fundamental intention of cross cultural training is to equip the learner(s) with the
appropriate skills to attain cross cultural understanding.
Once the foundations of cross cultural understanding have been laid, the
learner(s), either through continued training or experiences within the workplace,
gradually attains a more acute appreciation of cultural differences. The different
types of appreciation are cross cultural knowledge, cross cultural awareness,
cross cultural sensitivity and cross cultural competence. Although all the terms
may appear similar in meaning, subtle differences exist between them.
'Cross Cultural Knowledge' is critical to basic cross cultural understanding.
Without it cross cultural appreciation cannot take place. It refers to a surface level
familiarization with cultural characteristics, values, beliefs and behaviors.
'Cross Cultural Awareness' develops from cross cultural knowledge as the
learner understands and appreciates a culture internally. This may also be
accompanied by changes within the learner's behavior and attitudes such as a
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greater flexibility and openness.

'Cross Cultural Sensitivity' is a natural by-product of awareness and refers to
an ability to read into situations, contexts and behaviors that are culturally rooted
and be able to react to them appropriately. A suitable response necessitates that
the actor no longer carries his/her own culturally determined interpretations of the
situation or behavior (i.e. good/bad, right/wrong) which can only be nurtured
through both cross cultural knowledge and awareness.
'Cross Cultural Competence' is and should be the aim of all those dealing
with multicultural clients, customers or colleagues. 'Competence' is the final stage
of cross cultural understanding and signifies the actor's ability to work effectively
across cultures. Cross cultural competency is beyond knowledge, awareness and
sensitivity in that it is the digestion, integration and transformation of all the skills
and information acquired through them, applied to create cultural synergy within
the workplace.

B. The Benefits of Cross Culture Understanding

Cross cultural differences can and do impede upon communication and

interpersonal relationships. In the business world this occurs daily, where people
from different cultures interact and are expected to perform and make decisions.
Cross cultural training aims to develop awareness between people where a
common cultural framework does not exist in order to promote clear lines of
communication and better relationships.

Cross cultural training has many benefits to be gained by both participants

and businesses. For participants in cross cultural training, the main benefits are
that it helps:

1. People Learn About Themselves: Through cross cultural training, people

are exposed to facts and information about their own cultures, preconceptions,
mentalities and worldviews that they may otherwise not have contemplated.
Cross cultural training helps people learn more about themselves through learning
 7

about others.

2. Encourage Confidence: Cross cultural training promotes self-confidence in

individuals and teams through empowering them with a sense of control over
previously difficult challenges in the workplace.

3. Break Down Barriers: All of us have certain barriers such as

preconceptions, prejudices and stereotypes that obstruct our understanding of
other people. Cross cultural training demystifies other cultures through presenting
them under an objective light. Through learning about other cultures, barriers are
slowly chipped away thus allowing for more open relationships and dialogue.

4. Build Trust: When people’s barriers are lowered, mutual understanding

ensues, which results in greater trust. Once trust is established altruistic
tendencies naturally manifest allowing for greater co-operation and a more
productive workplace.

5. Motivate: One of the outcomes of cross cultural training is that people

begin to see their roles within the workplace more clearly. Through self-analysis
people begin to recognize areas in which they need to improve and become
motivated to develop and progress.

6. Open Horizons: Cross cultural training addresses problems in the

workplace at a very different angle to traditional methods. Its innovative,
alternative and motivating way of analysis and resolving problems helps people
to adopt a similarly creative strategy when approaching challenges in their work
or personal lives.

7. Develop Interpersonal Skills: Through cross cultural training participants

develop great ‘people skills’ that can be applied in all walks of life. By learning
about the influence of culture, i.e. the hidden factors upon people’s behavior,
those who undertake cross cultural training begin to deal with people with a
sensitivity and understanding that may have previously been lacking.
 8

8. Career Development: Cross cultural training enhances people’s skills and

therefore future employment opportunities. Having cross cultural awareness gives
people a competitive edge over others especially when applying for positions in
international companies with a large multi-cultural staff base.

The above benefits are but a few of the many ways in which cross cultural
training positively affects businesses through staff training and development.
Many institutions offer students a chance to be trained on different aspects of the
various world cultures. Usually, larger institutions offer this cross cultural courses
and foreign languages to their students free of charge. A student who intends to
be on the international front as part of his career should therefore grab such
opportunities.

The benefits include:

1. Cross cultural training breaks down barriers developed due to prejudiced

perceptions and preconceptions towards other cultures. When such barriers are
demystified, better relationships between people of different cultures can be
formed.

2. Effective communication is attained when people learn foreign languages.

This ensures that important information can be passed to the targeted group
without any hindrance. This is a big benefit to organizations which work with
multicultural communities.

3. Career development is another area which benefits from cross cultural

training. An individual who has received cross cultural training has a competitive
career advantage as compared to those who are not exposed to multicultural
interactions.

4. When people receive cross cultural training, trust is built between the
parties involved. Mutual understanding is driven by trust and for this, co-
operation between cultures is enhanced.
 9

5. Cross cultural training helps one to understand his own culture. You
cannot learn another culture unless you have a good understanding of your own.
It therefore helps an individual to become aware of his own cultural values and
how they are perceived by other cultures.

6. As a result of cross cultural training, learners are able to develop good

tolerance, interpersonal and listening skills. This is vital for effective
communication as one learns the logics and customs of other cultural practices.

7. Intercultural training helps an individual to adjust to a new working or

living environment fast. It reduces culture shock as one is trained to think
positively and to embrace new cultures.

In a culture we can find so many things that are called the features of
Culture. The Feature of Cultures are :

1. Behaviors.
2. Habit
3. Customs
4. Way of Life / Human life
5. Communication
6. System of Knowledge
7. Value
8. Belief.
9. Moral Value
10. Tradition
11. Pattern
12. Attitude
13. Construct.
 10

C. Types of Culture

The word ―culture doesn‘t mean just national culture, but the whole range of
different types of culture.These include:

1. Corporate culture (for example, the culture of Apple,Microsoft)

2. Professional culture (for example, the culture ofdoctors, lawyers)
3. Gender (different cultures of men and women)
4. Age ( the different cultures of young, middle-aged, andold-people)
5. Religious culture (for example, Catholicism, Islam,Budha)
6. Regional culture (for example, Western, Eastern)
7. Class culture (for example, working class, middle class,upper class)

D.Symbols of South Africa

Decoding the coat of arms

A coat of arms of any country is the highest visual symbol of that country,
and is part of the great seal, which confers absolute authority on all documents
 11

bearing it. South Africa’s new coat of arms was launched on Freedom Day, 27
April 2000, during former president Thabo Mbeki’s administration. It was created
by designer Iaan Bekker and replaced the former coat of arms which had been in
use since 1932.

The coat of arms is elegant and contemporary in design and distinctly egg-
shaped. In the lower portion, known as the oval shape of foundation, the first
element is the motto in a green curve, which is completed by two symmetrically
placed pairs of elephant tusks pointing upwards. Within the oval shape formed by
the tusks are two symmetrical ears of wheat symbolising fertility, which in turn
frame a centrally placed gold shield, reminiscent of a drum.

The shield contains two human figures from the famous Linton panel of
Khoisan rock art, facing one another in greeting and in unity. The Linton panel
resides in the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town.

Above the shield are a spear and a knobkierie, crossed in a single unit, but
lying down in a gesture of peace. These elements are arranged harmoniously to
give focus to the shield and complete the lower oval shape of foundation.

Above the foundation is a stylised protea, whose petals are rendered in a

triangular pattern often found in African crafts, and in popular colours associated
with the continent – green, gold, red and black.

A secretary bird hovers above the protea and the flower forms its lower body
and chest – this part also looks like a diamond, one of the South African success
stories. The secretary bird, known for its ability fight off its enemies, usually
snakes, stands with its wings regally uplifted, while its distinctive head feathers
crown a strong and vigilant head. Its legs are formed by the spear
and knobkierie below. The sun rising above the horizon is placed between the
wings of the secretary bird and completes the oval shape of ascendance.
 12

National flag

The new national flag of the Republic of South Africa was designed by former
state herald Fred Brownell. It was adopted on Freedom Day, 27 April 1994, and
first flown on 10 May 1994 – the day of former president Nelson Mandela’s
inauguration. It’s the only six-coloured flag in the world.

The central design of the flag, beginning at the flag-pole in a V form and flowing
into a single horizontal band to the outer edge of the fly, can be interpreted as the
convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road
ahead in unity.

When the flag is displayed vertically against a wall, the red band should be on the
viewer’s left, with the hoist or the cord seam at the top. When it is displayed
horizontally, the hoist should be on the viewer’s left and the red band at the top.
When the flag is displayed next to or behind the speaker at a meeting, it must be
placed to the speaker’s right. When it is placed elsewhere in the meeting place, it
should be to the right of the audience.

The National Flower: King Protea

This giant protea resembles in form and appearance to an artichoke and is native
to many regions of the Western and Southern Cape.

It flowers in late spring and then will show its beautiful pink and red colorings.

The National Tree: Real Yellowwood

The real yellowwood tree is a protected species in South Africa.

It is the most valued tree for its useful beautiful timber, with which local
craftsmen make beautiful furniture out of this wood.
 13

The National Animal: Springbok

The springbok is South Africa’s most well known antelope. This elegant mammal
is a vegetarian which grow up to 75 cm in height.

The National Fish: Galjoen

The galjoen is another South Africa national symbol and native to the coastal
waters of South Africa.

It lives mainly in shallow waters. Especially popular in Kwa-Zulu Natal it is also

called black bream or blackfish. The galjoen can weight up to seven kilograms

The National Bird: Blue Crane

This light blue grey bird is only to be found in South Africa.

It has got a long neck and long legs. Blue cranes are a common sight in the Karoo
and can be seen also in Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Highveld.

E.Values of South Africa

Having looked at the concept and meaning of culture and having established the
place of values in a culture, we want to bring this down to the African context. A
culture is an embodiment of different values with all of them closely related to
each other. That is why one can meaningfully talk about social, moral, religious,
political, aesthetic and even economic values of a culture. Let us now look at
these values piece-meal, as this would give us an understanding how they
 14

manifest in an African culture and the importance being attached to them.

 SOCIAL VALUES

Social values can simply be seen as those beliefs and practices that are practised
by any particular society. The society has a way of dictating the beliefs and
practices that are performed either routinely by its members or performed
whenever the occasion demands. Hence, we have festivals, games, sports and
dances that are peculiar to different societies. These activities are carried out by
the society because they are seen to be necessary. Some social values, especially
in African society, cannot exactly be separated from religious, moral, political
values and so on. This is why we can see that in a traditional African society like
in Ibibio land (Nigeria), festivals which were celebrated often had religious
undertones - they ended with sacrifices that were offered to certain deities on
special days in order to attract their goodwill on the members of the society.
Social values are backed by customary laws. They comprise of those traditional
carnivals that a people see as necessary for their meaningful survival. Let us
illustrate with an example: the new yam festival as practised in Ibibio land has a
way of encouraging hard work and checking famine. It was a thing of shame for
any man to buy yams for his family within the first two to three weeks after the
festival. Doing so would expose a man as being too lazy. These festivals really
discipline the society because nobody is to do anything when it is not time. For
instance, new yam could not be eaten until the new yam festival has been
celebrated.

 MORAL VALUES

African culture is embedded in strong moral considerations. It has a system of

 15

various beliefs and customs which every individual ought to keep in order to live
long and to avoid bringing curses on them and others. Adultery, stealing and
other forms of immoral behaviour are strongly discouraged and whenever a
suspected offender denies a charge brought against him, he would be taken to a
soothsayer or made to take an oath for proof of innocence. In Ibibio land for
instance, ukang (ordeal) is very popular as a method of crime detection. The
soothsayer who specialises in it sets a pot of boiling oil, drops a stone into it and
asks the suspects to attempt to retrieve the stone. The guiltless can reach to the
bottom of the pot and retrieve the stone without the hair on his arms getting burnt.
But when the culprit approaches the pot, it rages and boils over in a manner that
even the most daring criminal would hesitate to make an attempt at retrieving the
stone. The fear of being made to go through such ordeal or to be stripped naked
and taken round the community as in the case of stealing, adequately checks
crimes of some sort. African proverbs and wise sayings have a rich repository of
wisdom. The proverbs warn the African against evil conduct and, according to
Mbiti (1977: 8), are "therefore a major source of African wisdom and a valuable
part of African heritage". African culture has a moral code that forbids doing
harm to a relative, a kinsman, an in-law, a foreigner and a stranger, except when
such a person is involved in an immoral act; and if that is the case, it is advisable
to stay away from such an individual and even at death, their corpses would not
be dignified with a noble burial in a coffin and grave. Mothers of twins were not
welcome and were regarded as the harbinger of evil, hence unacceptable.

 RELIGIOUS VALUES

Religion in African societies seems to be the fulcrum around which every activity
revolves. Hence religious values are not toyed with. African traditional religion,
wherever it is practised, has some defining characteristics. For instance, it
possesses the concept of a Supreme Being which is invisible and indigenous. It
holds a belief in the existence of the human soul and the soul does not die with
 16

the body. African traditional religion also has the belief that good and bad spirits
do exist and that these spirits are what make communication with the Supreme
Being possible. Above all, it holds a moral sense of justice and truth and the
knowledge of the existence of good and evil (Umoh 2005: 68). African religious
values seem to permeate every facet of the life of the African and the African
believes that anything can be imbued with spiritual significance. The worship of
different deities on different days goes on to show that the African people hold
their religious values in high esteem. Sorcerers and diviners are seen to be
mediating between God and man and interpreting God's wishes to the mortal. The
diviners, sorcerers and soothsayers help to streamline human behaviour in the
society and people are afraid to commit offences because of the fear of being
exposed by the diviners and sorcerers.

F. Rituals in South Africa

From the San people of South Africa all the way up to the Berbers in

Morocco, Africa is the origin of myriad tribes – in fact, there’s estimated to be
about 3,000. With so many unique groups comes quite a few fascinating tribal
traditions. Some we’ll never know about, but others we’ve been lucky enough to
catch a glimpse of. These seven tribal traditions are just a small part of what
makes the people of Africa so spellbindingly colourful.

1. The courtship dance of the Wodaabe

 17

Birds do it. Bees do it. We’re talking, of course, about a courtship dance. In the
Wodaabe tribe of Niger, the human mating ritual takes a page from nature’s
book. The Guérewol is an annual ritual and competition that sees young men
dress up in elaborate ornamentation and traditional face paint and gather in lines
to dance and sing. The goal? To get the attention of one of the judges – a
marriageable young woman. In this particular tribe, the male beauty ideal is all
about bright eyes and teeth, so men will often roll their eyes and bare their teeth
to show off their sex appeal

2. The lip plates of the Mursi

The Mursi tribe of Ethiopia is one of the last tribes in Africa where it’s the norm
for women to wear large pottery or wooden plates in their lower lips. When a
Mursi girl reaches the age of 15 or 16, her lower lip is cut by her mother or
another older woman in the settlement. The cut is held open by a wooden plug for
about three months while it heals. Mursi members are rather egalitarian – girls are
never forced to have their lip pierced; it’s a totally personal choice. (Of course, 16
is the prime age for peer pressure no matter your culture, and this is often the
reason girls opt for the lip plate.)

3. The bull jumping of the Hamar

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Ethiopia’s Hamar tribe (also known as the Hamer tribe), made up mostly of
pastoralists who respect and treasure their cattle, has a rather… athletic initiation
ritual. Forget cow tipping – this tradition is all about the art of bull jumping. Bull
jumping is a three-day rite of passage that all boys must partake in, and it’s
extremely important for the dignity of both the initiate and his family. The initiate
must walk over 15 castrated bulls that have been rubbed in dung to make their
backs slippery (and the task that much tougher). If he fails, he’ll have to wait a
whole year to try again. And if he succeeds? It means he’s ready to marry a girl
of his parents’ choosing, and to raise his own children and cattle.

4. The red ochre of the Himba

The women of this iconic Namibian tribe are known for their beautiful, red-
tinged skin and hair. The reason for the rich colour? A homemade paste of butter,
fat and red ochre known as otjize. Girls in the tribe start using otjize as soon as
they’re old enough to care for their own hygiene. There has long been speculation
 19

around exact origins of the practice, with many people claiming it acts as sun
protection or insect repellent. But the Himba tribe says it’s purely for aesthetic
reasons – effectively a traditional make-up they apply every morning in the same
way we’d slap on a lick of mascara and lipstick.

5. The spitting of the Maasai

The Maasai people of Kenya and Northern Tanzania view spitting as a form of

blessing and a sign of respect. Tribespeople use spitting to greet or say goodbye
to friends, clinch a bargain or to wish someone good luck. Two friends greeting
each other will spit in their palms before shaking hands. When a baby is born,
family members will spit on the child to wish him or her a long life and good
luck. Spitting is also customary on a daughter’s wedding day, where her father
will spit on her forehead to wish her a blessed union.

6. The healing dance of the San

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Of all the tribal traditions, this one is arguably the most magical. For the San
people of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Angola, dance is considered a
sacred power. One of their most integral tribal traditions is the trance dance (also
known as the healing dance). The whole community comes together around a fire
for several hours or even an entire night, led by healers and elders. The healers
dance around the fire, chant and hyperventilate until they induce a powerful
trance-like state. In this state, they are granted access to the spirit world (and are
often able to walk over fire). The San healers aren’t just doing this to cure
physical illnesses in their community – they also attempt to expel what they call
“star sickness”, a force that causes jealousy, anger and arguments.

7. The wedding ceremony of the Ndebele

The Ndebele wedding ceremony is all about the bride – and her attire puts
western white dresses to shame. This, in most part, is thanks to her future mother-
in-law and the prettiest of all the tribal traditions. The groom’s mother creates
 21

a Jocolo for the bride – an apron made of goatskin and decorated with gorgeous,
colourful beads. The Jocolo is worn by all married women at the wedding
ceremony, and is representative of a mother surrounded by children. On their
wedding day, the groom performs a ceremony in honour of his new wife, giving
her thanks and credit for everything she’s done for him in their time together.

G. Heroes of South Africa

1. Nelson Maldena

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela born in Mvezo, South Africa, 18 July 1918 –

died in Johannesburg, South Africa, 5 December 2013 at the age of 95 years) was
an antiapartheid revolutionary and South African politician who served as
President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the first black-skinned
South African to hold the post and the first President elected through full
representation, in a multiracial elections. His reign focuses on removing apartheid
influences by combating racism, poverty and inequality, and encouraging racial
reconciliation. As an African nationalist and socialist democratic, he served as
President of the African National Congress (ANC) in 1991 to 1997. In addition,
Mandela was the Secretary-General of the Non-Aligned Movement from 1998 to
1999.

Born to the Thembu royal family and Xhosa tribe, Mandela studied law at
Fort Hare University and the University of Witwatersrand. While settling in
Johannesburg, he was involved in an anticolonial politics, joined the ANC, and
became a founding member of the ANC Youth League. After the National party
Afrikaner nationalists from 1948 and adopted the apartheid policy, Mandela's
popularity in the Defiance Campaign ANC in 1952 was elected president of the
Transvaal ANC, and attended the Congress of the People in 1955. As a
lawyer, he was repeatedly arrested for committing inciting activities and, as
Chairman of the ANC, was tried at the court of Betrayal from 1956 to 1961, but
 22

was eventually sentenced to innocence. Despite his initial nonviolent protests, he

and the South African Communist Party founded the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK)
militant in 1961 and led the bombing campaign against government targets. In
1962, he was imprisoned and accused of sabotage and conspiring to overthrow
the government, and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Rivonia trial.

2. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki

He was born in Idutywa, South Africa) was President of the Republic of
South Africa. Born and raised in the region now part of the Eastern Cape
Province of South Africa, Mbeki was the son of Govan Mbeki (1910-2001). His
father was the leader of the African National Congress (ANC: African National
Congress) and the South African Communist Party (Communist Party). His father
was a hard worker who was very loyal to the party and became one of the fighters
who participated in the Charter of South African independence. His mother
(Epainette Mbeki) was the first South African man to be installed in his political
rights.

Under the pretext of the South African Communism Prevention Act, the apartheid
regime punished in such a way. Then the family rescued Mbeki, two brothers and
sisters. They are deposited to relatives or other friends outside the house. Mbeki
Elementary Education was conducted at Idutywa and Butterworth schools, an
advanced education in Lovedale (Alice). In 1956, he joined the ANC Youth
League while still studying at the Lovedale Institute.

In 1959, he graduated from St John's High School (Umtata). That year, just 17
years old, he has been involved in a group of students who strike in high school.
With his friends, he protested a school that embraced the apartheid system.

When the ANC was forbidden, he, along with a number of his learning friends,
organized an underground movement among students and students. In addition,
he appeared as Umkhonto we Sizwe (the end of the nation) underground forces
formed by Nelson Mandela. The goal of the troops was to become frontline
soldiers in the struggle for independence. Mandela then halted the desperate
 23

youth's move to avoid the onset of vain martyrs. Mandela prepared them to be
leaders of the struggle in the ensued future.

H. Polite & Impolite Behaviour

 It is polite to receive items with both hands together, held out as a cup. 

 Some South African ethnic groups may find it impolite to make gestures with

the left hand.

 White and Asian South Africans tend to value punctuality more highly than
black and mixed-race South Africans, who are more likely to follow ‘African
time’. South Africans often use the phrases ‘now-now’ or ‘just now’. To do
something ‘now-now’ is to do something shortly, whereas ‘just now’ means
to do something in the near future, but not immediately.

 It is polite to cover your mouth when you yawn.

 It is rude to spit in public.

 Show heightened respect to anyone older than you in all situations. 

 It is common to tip about 10% of bills in South Africa, and tips are usually
not included in the overall bill. If you have negotiated payment beforehand
(such as for a taxi fare) the tip will be included. For all other exchanges, it is
acceptable to tip in spare change

 Offer sympathy if there is mention of the difficult situation in South Africa.

People are likely to respond well to warmth and deeply appreciate the
gesture.
 24

 Expect South Africans to be hospitable, and make an effort to respond to and

return their warmth.

 Show respect and interest in what people have to say whenever they are
talking. If a South African may quickly disregard you as a disrespectful
person if they feel you are not listening to them.

 Communicate face-to-face when possible.

 Do not openly criticise South Africa or point blame. Even if you are educated
in your opinion, a South African is likely to assure you that you do not know
or understand the situation there if you haven’t lived there.

 Avoid mentioning politics, racism, Apartheid, violence or similar issues in

South Africa. Many South Africans have an acute awareness of the affluence
and power that their population holds (or lack of) and are sensitive to
conversations about inequality.

 Avoid openly expressing anger or losing control of your emotions

 25

CHAPTER III
CONCLUSION

A. Conclusion

National culture has always been a complex and difficult construct to define.
In today’s globalizing world where cultures increasingly connect and collide, the
art of finding distinctive or even unique characteristics of any national culture is
becoming harder. Greater access to knowledge, data and multiple opinions adds
 26

complexity rather than simplifies our ability to capture and distil the essence of a
nations’ culture accurately.  

B. Suggest

It’s suggest to study CCU (Cross Cultural Understanding) not only in South
African country but also to deepen and broaden horizons by studying various
countries on various continents in order to know the diversity of values, symbols,
heroes, rituals, and also know polite or not a behaviour is carried out in another
country.

REFERENCES

 Union, Afrka. 2017. Ulasan Afrika Selatan. http://www.african-

union.org/ulasan-seputar-afrika-selatan/
(Diakses 29 November 2019)

 Bombastis. 2019. Tradisi Suku Afrika. https://www.boombastis.com/tradisi-

 27

suku-afrika/6147
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 Wikipedia. 2018. Daftar Tokoh Afrika Selatan.

https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daftar_tokoh_Afrika_Selatan
(Diakses 29 November 2019)

 Lowvelder. 2019. Know South Africa. https://lowvelder.co.za/443143/know-

south-african-national-symbols/
(Diakses 29 November 2019)

 Brandsouthafrica. 2016. South Africa National Symbols.

https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/people-culture/arts-culture/south-africas-
national-symbols
(Diakses 29 November 2019)

 Bombastis. 2018. Peraturan Nyeleneh Afrika.

https://www.boombastis.com/peraturan-nyeleneh-di-afrika/68568
(Diakses 29 November 2019)

 Academia. 2018. Cross Cultural Understanding.

https://www.academia.edu/24720524/CROSS_CULTURAL_UNDERSTAN
DING_A_HANDBOOK_TO_UNDERSTAND_OTHERS_CULTURES
(Diakses 29 November 2019)

 Scielo. 2005. African Cultures and Values.

http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1561-
40182015000200006
(Diakses 30 November 2019)

 Atlas, Cultural. 2019. South African Culture.

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https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/south-african-culture/south-african-culture-
naming#south-african-culture-naming