Christmas is a time of year when many people around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a time for family, friends and good food! This includes South Africa, where most people are Christian or follow other religions. In Afrikaans, Christmas is called Merry Christmas is ‘Geseënde Kersfees’; in Zulu it’s ‘UKhisimusi omuhle’, in Sesotho it’s ‘Le be le keresemese e monate’.
Amongst the white community, almost all Afrikaans, English, German and Dutch people living in South Africa celebrate Christmas, with significant celebrations and holidays.
Whether you’re white, black or brown, Christmas is a time to spend with family and friends. This can include an exchange of gifts—in fact, the giving of presents is considered a central part of the holiday even if you don’t celebrate it at all.
Christmas in South Africa dates back over 100 years. When settlers first arrived in the country they brought with them their own traditions related to Christmas celebrations that have evolved into what we now call “South African Christmas” today.
In South Africa, Santa Claus is often depicted as a jolly old man with white hair and a red suit, who lives at the North Pole and delivers presents to children on Christmas Eve.
Many of these families follow the European Santa Claus character, with many children expecting presents from Santa on Christmas morning.
South Africa’s large Christian population has made Christmas a very prominent celebration in South Africa, with various Christmas songs and carols playing in shopping malls throughout December.
