What is Saffafest? 何謂南非文化祭？
It’s more than just a festival, it’s the art of culture sharing.
南非文化祭不只是一場慶典，更是文化交流的盛宴。
Duane and Mary Christie
Go big or go home!
You may not believe in fate or destiny, but some of us have been touched by it more than once. Duane and Mary are two of those. The first time destiny touched them was in 2007 when they met at a Halloween party in Chiayi City, Taiwan. Two South Africans, years apart, on the other side of the world in one of the smallest cities on a small island, met and fell in love. This is usually where the narrator would say “and the rest is history” but not so. Fast forward 9 years and destiny came a-knocking again. While camping at Hutoupi in Taiwan in 2016, Duane and Mary marveled at the peace and quiet they found in nature, something they sorely missed about their beloved South Africa. And so they decided that this beautiful location would be the perfect place to host a South African Festival. On 11th March 2017 the first SaffaFest was born!
Combining their expertise in tourism (Duane) and business management (Mary) with their South African pig-headedness (stubbornness) they set out to host a festival that brought cultures, languages, ages, races and personalities together. Back home we would call this Ubuntu, a Bantu word that speaks of the bond we all share as humans. And they didn't stop there, they went on to host many more SaffaFests over many more years.
也許你不相信命運或天意，但我們已不只一次深受感動。Duane 和Mary便是其中一例。命中注定的他們，在2007年於嘉義市舉辦的一場萬聖節舞會中相遇。兩個南非人，在這世界另一端的小島上相遇並相戀。講到這裡，戲劇的旁白通常會說：接下來的發展你們都知道了…但其實不然。9年後，命運再度來敲門。當他們到台南虎頭埤露營，慶祝結婚週年時，對虎頭埤的寧靜與和平深感讚嘆，令兩人回想起深愛的家鄉-南非。隔天有人在虎頭埤舉辦活動，現場人數超過兩千人，原以為吵雜的音量會破壞大自然的寧靜，但就算人聲鼎沸，他們仍然享受著大自然之美。因此，他們計畫要在這裡舉辦南非文化祭。過了一年多，他們的願望真的實現了！
結合Duane 的旅遊專業知識及Mary 的企管專長，他們開始著手主辦南非文化祭事宜，結合不同文化、語言、年紀、種族及人格特質。在南非家鄉，他們稱之為Ubuntu，這個字源自於班圖語，意思為一種群體的概念，代表人們共創共享、共生共榮。但他們不就此停歇，又繼續舉辦了越來越多南非文化祭活動。
Meet The Team
吳佳蓉
Kelly Wu
I saw Mary’s passion for the event, and I really wanted to be a part of it. Come to SaffaFest, and you don't need to fly to South Africa in person to experience the exotic culture. I'd
recommend the Gumboot Dance, which can bring everyone together and share such
enjoyable moments. The passion of South Africans is what I hope SaffaFest can share with others.
我別無選擇，因為主辦人瑪麗是我最好的朋友...哈哈哈，開玩笑的！
因為看到她對這個活動的熱情，所以我願意參與其中。我認為所有活動都值得一試！個人推薦靴子舞，因為它能讓大家聚在一起，共享歡樂時光。只要來到南非文化祭現場，不需出國，就可以親身體驗異國文化了！我希望能讓更多人知道這個精彩又充滿互動性的活動，它能讓人們保持聯繫，也能增進人情味。
我希望透過南非文化祭這個活動能與人們分享更多南非朋友的熱情與活力。
Mbalenhle Hedder Nzama
My journey with Saffafest is a very interesting one. I saw a South African flag on facebook under “upcoming events” that got my attention and I got excited since I was new in Taiwan and I saw it as a chance for me to meet and mingle with other South Africans. I then registered as someone that was “going” and saw that they needed volunteers and so, I then signed up as one (even though i had no idea what the event was all about). Since I love helping the community, I saw an opportunity to partake and help where I can. The atmosphere, vibe and the warm feeling of home and friendliness from the organizers made me want to always be a part of Saffafest and since then, I’ve never looked back. Getting to share the diversity of my country with others here in Taiwan is what makes me so happy and proud to be a Saffa!
邱志軒
Taiwan Jason
SaffaFest is the perfect place for visitors to get to know more about South Africa, if they come to SaffaFest they can experience a lot of activities. I hope people can come enjoy our hard work and take a tour of South Africa right here in Taiwan! Come enjoy the interactive sports, it’s my favorite part.
要讓遊客認識南非，來南非文化祭就對了。這裡有相當多的互動活動可以體驗。我希望人們感受到工作團隊的認真，並且在台灣就能身歷其境體驗南非文化。快來參與我們的體育活動，這是我最喜歡的一部分！
Maryke Fouche
Since moving abroad it has been hard to find a little bit of home in the sea of different cultures and environments. In Korea I had the opportunity to meet South Africans and have a day of just South African wonder and bliss. When moving to Taiwan and hearing about Saffafest, I knew that I had to get involved. It is very rewarding to be able to put together an event, bringing South Africans and people from many different countries together, sharing in the different cultures, food and music of South Africa. Everyone always leaves with a warm and full heart and great memories. This is why I am here!
Yolanda Tsembeyi
Shortly after I landed in Taiwan in 2017, I attended a SaffaFest. I was amazed seeing a diverse group of South Africans celebrating being "South African". The visitors had a wonder in their eyes, listening to story time, smelling, tasting, hearing and seeing all things South African. All I remember thinking is how awesome it was being South African and celebrating South Africa in a foreign land.
Years later, being South African is something I hold dear and beat my chest about.
So when I got given the opportunity to be part of the SaffaFest Team, I grabbed it with both hands. Year in and year out, giving South Africans places and spaces to celebrate our beautiful Ubuntu, our vibrant and vibey music. To share our amazing culture, smells of braai, taste of biltong, wines and beers and the aromatic home spices. To see our beautiful coloured clothes and prints, and to see the fellowship of our people around potjies and bonfires. To hearing South African languages being spoken proudly and out loud. And to touch a little bit of home, with fellow South Africans. Priceless moments are created at these events, and I'm honoured to be a part of it.
Tarcy Chiang
I love South Africa and hope more people can know about this pretty country and the culture. I like the music, dancing, food and wine, most important is the South African people who make this even more perfect. It is the most relaxing way to know more about South African culture! Come enjoy the braai (barbeque) and wine!! I want everyone to share the passion of South Africans!
我熱愛南非並且希望讓更多人認識這個美麗的國家。除了音樂、舞蹈、美食及美酒，更重要的是南非的朋友們讓這個活動更加完美。要認識南非，這是最輕鬆的方式了！快來享用Braai(南非燒烤)及美酒吧！我希望大家能感受到南非人的熱情！
Charl Toua
I like to contribute to the local community and I am proud of the impact that Saffas (South African people) have in Taiwan. I hope that we can develop the rugby games even further. I also hope that we can raise interest and get more and more South Africans and other local friends through the gates. Come experience some of the friendliness and uniqueness of Saffas, the unique gees (meaning ‘spirit or passion’) that us Saffas have.
我喜歡在團隊付出並以南非人對台灣帶來的正面影響為傲。
我希望能帶動英式橄欖球的發展，引起更多南非人及本地人對這項運動的興趣。歡迎來感受Saffa們(身處外地的南非人)的友善、獨特性以及南非精神。
Write to us 電子郵件
Pangea International Co. Ltd. 攀吉亞有限公司
VAT number 統一編號 : 28045719
Mailing address: 34-4 Shuei Yuan Di, Chang Zhu Li, East District, Chiayi City, 60075
公司地址: 60075 嘉義市東區長竹里水源地34之4號