South Africa

Welcoming a South African au pair into your family is a wonderful way to invite a culture rich with diversity into your home.  Known for their multiplicity of cultures, religious beliefs, and languages, the people of South Africa are just as colorful as the country’s amazing scenery and landscapes. Take it from the Maione family whose heartfelt entry about their South African au pair, Taryn, won her the title of 2009 Ultimate Au Pair! With English as a principle language and an intrinsic reverence for family, our South African au pairs are the perfect addition to families looking for quality childcare and a rewarding cultural exchange experience.

Family Values

The family unit is the most important cultural value in South African culture; the importance of children, a happy family life, the acceptance of friends as family, and frequent get-togethers, demonstrate the importance of family. Love is abundant and widespread, and the extended family is revered just as much as the nuclear family. Our South African au pairs bring these same values into the homes of their host families, developing strong bonds with the entire family and ensuring that the happiness and well-being of their children are the top priority.

Dance

Dance is an integral part of South African culture.  The joyous dances and popular dance festivals reflect the happiness of a nation once divided and now closer to unification.  An infatuation with dance has swept the nation and theaters regularly host dance festivals throughout the country. Dance in South Africa is not limited to these festivals, as people in the streets may spontaneously breakout into dance!

Influential People

South Africa is home to some of the most influential people of our time. Former president and 1993 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Nelson Mandela is highly venerated throughout the world for his commitment and work against apartheid and towards a unified nation. Clergyman Desmond Tutu, another Nobel Peace Prize recipient (1984), also fought against apartheid and currently campaigns the fight against oppression in his country.  Literary icon J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, was born and raised in South Africa.

Landscape and Wildlife

The landscape of South Africa, like its people, is extremely diverse and is one of only eighteen countries considered Megadiverse by The World Conservation Monitoring Centre, an agency of the United Nations Environment Programme. It is home to more than 20,000 different indigenous plants and flowers and is known for its abundant wildlife. Lions, leopards, white rhinos, and giraffes are just a few of the animals who occupy the South African desert.  South Africa, in its landscape and inhabitants, truly defines diversity. AuPairCare strives to offer families a diverse selection of au pairs from around the world, and these are some things that make South African au pairs stand out.