South Africa's top sites-struggle

It is ironic that a turbulent and painful history presents some of the most magnificent opportunities available for tourism and traveling in South Africa.

Despite the symbolic and developmental importance of this area of tourism, there have been few serious attempts to capitalize on the resources provided by the history of resistance to Apartheid.

The number of heritage-related developments, currently in progress, offer the prospect of a network of sites linked to struggle travel across the country.

Currently however 'struggle tourism' is largely confined to the major icons of struggle history, namely Robben Island and Soweto.

These are indeed important and evocative places that should not be missed but they are certainly not the only sites of interest - the diversity and complexity of South African historical experience remains largely hidden from view.

Gradually however a richer tapestry is being revealed, and travelers are increasingly able to experience more of the tragic yet remarkable history of this country.