Only the Khoi and San bushpeople are truly indigenous to the lands of southern Africa. Tribes such as the Xhosa and Zulu later migrated from central Africa.

Europeans sailed to this "new land" in search of freedom from persecution, new opportunities, adventure and - of course - a part of South Africa's vast wealth. Some came from Holland. Others were French Huguenots seeking refuge from Catholic persecution. The Portuguese and the Germans established outposts in neighboring lands.

In our own century, South Africa opened its gates to a large number of grateful European Jews fleeing the Nazis at a time when America and other countries were closing their doors to refugees. In much lesser numbers, South Africa has welcomed refugees from the Czech uprising of 1968 and more recently refugees from civil wars the Congo and Angola. Many guest workers from other parts of Africa now live in South Africa because of economic opportunities, and bring their various cultures with them.

As members of these various groups intermarried, the identity of their children was no longer clear-cut. Competing cultures influenced one another while struggling to maintain their own identities as part of a larger tapestry that is now South Africa.

The patrimony of these diverse communities is a part of what makes South Africa such an intriguing place to visit.

• Remarkable prehistoric cave paintings of great beauty depict the daily lives of the Khoi and the San bushpeople.
• Exotic minarets punctuate skylines to mark the presence of mosques built by the Muslims who came from East Asia.
• Likewise, Hindu temples are part of the cultural fabric of Durban.
• Picturesque wine estates and lovely manor houses - now some of the finest lodging in South Africa * are the legacy of the Dutch Afrikaans settlers.
• Elegant and refined classical architecture attests to the influence of the British, who fought the Dutch hard for the vast wealth of this land.
• African tribes still live in brightly-painted village houses, often wear colorful traditional clothing and gather at night to listen to traditional as well as modern music borne of tribal rhythms.
• Fascinating Jewish heritage sites mark the contributions of a prominent Jewish population who found in South Africa a welcome refuge and in turn played a significant role in the fight against apartheid.

The numerous African tribes and other groups have fought hard to retain aspects of their traditional culture in the face of modernity and assimilation - not unlike parallel struggles in our own country.

With the recent end of his political career, he leaves an overwhelming legacy. From a reviled system of inequality, South Africa has emerged to embrace its people of all races and colors. It has been transformed from an outcast nation to an example to other nations. It is quickly emerging as a regional power.

A sense of optimism and open-mindedness characterizes a new generation which has come of age in the last ten years. It is a generation fighting hard to overcome the stains of the past and anxious to embrace all citizens of all colors to work together in building a new future.

As a country in a sweeping and radical transition * socially, economically, politically * and a country on an avowed mission of change, it is hard to imagine a more exciting time to visit such a fascinating and intriguing land.