f you are at a loose end on what to do, why not take the family on a unique cultural experience at Lesedi Cultural Village, less than an hour’s drive from Johannesburg.
Developed in 1995 as a tourist attraction, Lesedi – a seSotho word meaning “light” – now features five traditional homesteads, each representing a different culture: Pedi, Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho and Ndebele.
You can visit for the day or stay overnight. Overnight visitors who wish to experience the magic and traditions of the people of South Africa can spend a night in one of the villages.
On arrival, guests are welcomed by the families, who then take them to their homestead and show them where they will be staying. The head of the home then becomes their personal escort for the rest of their stay.
Day visitors are just as welcome, and the village provides a fabulous cultural experience for families looking for something to do. There is an option of just lunch, or the whole Lesedi experience. Day tours start at 11.30am and at 4.30pm.
Lesedi has also opened a new restaurant, the Nile Room, complete with hookah pipes, which serves fabulous cuisine from North Africa. It is available to be booked for private parties, and entertainment – such as belly dancing – can be organised.
Current culinary facilities at Lesedi are the Nyama Choma, a 200-seater restaurant decorated in true African style and divided into three sections – North Africa seating 40 people, East Africa seating 60 people, and South Africa seating 100 people.
There are also two bomas: the traditional Ingoma, a huge indoor hut used for buffet or barbecue style functions, and the outdoor boma used for informal functions. Both bomas accommodate 120 people.
Lesedi is situated on the R512 en route to Sun City, just 10km north of Lanseria Airport. Access from Pretoria and Johannesburg is easy.