Welcome to South Africa is 𝗟𝗘𝗞𝗞𝗘𝗥! (Free) We’re so glad you’re here — this is your space to connect, share, and celebrate what makes South Africa truly lekker... nice! 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗪𝗶𝗻 (𝗗𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁) 1. Introduce yourself in the General section — tell us who you are and where you’re from. 2. Like this post and drop an emoji in the comments that best represents YOU. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 - Start here: Click HERE for a informative guide - Need help? DM @Tamsin Boshoff or @Pat Van Schalkwyk anytime for support Jump in, share your story, and let’s make this community lekker!

South Africa is known around the world for five things: Table Mountain, Nelson Mandela, the “Rainbow Nation,” apartheid, and "braai." But if you live here, there’s a sixth thing: “Sit down, eat, and talk.” This is the slogan of Tannie (Aunty) Evita Bezuidenhout. Tannie Evita was “born” in the late 1970s during one of the darkest periods in our history. Pieter‑Dirk Uys, a fearless columnist and satirist, created her as a fictional politician’s wife who used humour to expose the absurdities and injustices of apartheid. Through her, he said what many South Africans could not safely say themselves. Soon she stepped off the newspaper page and onto the stage — long eyelashes, high heels, sharp wit, and the kind of sophistication South African women admired. She became a household name, loved across all colours of the Rainbow Nation, and eventually an international icon. Around dinner tables, men debated her political commentary while women swapped her recipes. She became part of our culture, our humour, and our healing. Eventually, Tannie Evita found a real home in the small West Coast town of Darling. She bought an old, unused train station and transformed it into Evita se Perron — a quirky, colourful, proudly South African landmark. It may no longer welcome trains, but it welcomes everyone else: locals, tourists, rental cars, taxis, and busloads of visitors. And the best part? It costs nothing to visit. I’ve been there a few times. My last visit was in October 2018 with my stepchildren and eldest grandchild. The moment we walked in, the kids were captivated — posing as Tannie Evita, laughing at the displays, and exploring the quirky items for sale. I never imagined that old apartheid signs and cement figurines of politicians could bring so much joy, but somehow they did. A highlight melktert (milk tart) from Tannie Evita’s kitchen. Will I go again? Absolutely. Tannie Evita se Perron is part of who we are. Have you been to Tannie Evita's Perron?

I met a fellow South African, a brilliant chef, here on Skool — someone who has returned to our beloved country and the city of Cape Town. When he told me he was back, I sent him a message offering to connect him with a good friend of mine in the hospitality industry if he needed work. But he already found employment. A few days later, that same friend (my ex‑partner and beloved “family member”) sent me some photos. One caught my attention. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was the very person I had met right here in Skool, who had joined our community. When I asked who this person was, he answered: “Oh, he’s a good friend of mine who just returned from Portugal.” I kept quiet but today I can no longer keep it to myself.🙂 @Oliver Wing & @Antoni Augusto Do Carmo what a small world indeed. What an absolute wonder that this platform can bring South Africans together, weaving connections across oceans and back home again. May we still bring many South Africans together in this lekker community of ours.