Giyani

Giyani is a city of 26,000 people (2011) in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Giyani is surrounded by a number of villages, which are rich in Tsonga cultural activities.

Understand

The central business district of Giyani is called "Benstore" by the residents of the city.

Giyani is in the heart of Limpopo Bushveld, on the northern bank of the Klein (Little) Letaba River west of Kruger National Park.

Most residents of Giyani speak Xitsonga as their first language. The Tsonga women perform the xibelani dance, and called the dance Xigaza, the men enjoy mpuluto and makhwaya. The Tsonga people also engage in a custom dance called mchongolo. Xibelani is an African skirt designed to make the wearer's hips look bigger so that the hip movement during the xibelani dance can be more apparent. The Tsonga people have their own distinct music when the xibelani dance is performed.

Giyani's economy is predominately rural. Cattle ranching and producing maize, peanuts, tomatoes, potatoes, mangoes and bananas forms the backbone of farming.

Climate

Giyani can be very hot in summer, reaching 41 °C, and 25 °C maximum during winter. Winters are mild during the day and cold during the nights. Rainfall season is between September and March, while the winter season is from April to August.

Get in

Giyani sits at the intersection between R578 road and R81.

Giyani lies 470 km north east of Johannesburg by road, 104 km from Tzaneen, 105 km from the Phalaborwa Gate of the Kruger National Park, and 35 km from Malamulele.

See

• 1 Thomo Heritage Park, Muyexe Route, Nsami Dam, ☏ +27 083 525 7666. Presents Iron Age culture, from a traditional homestead to a smelting furnace. Accommodation available in Iron Age huts. Traditional Tsonga cuisine and cultural events. There are many hiking trails in the area. The Living Cultural Heritage Museum presents the history on the area and its people. (updated Aug 2017)

Do

Mangombe Nature Reserve features inexpensive safari tours and beautiful mountains 6 km east of Giyani.

Giyani also borders Kruger National Park on the western side of the Northern Region. Giyani has no entry-point to the Kruger National Park as of May 2021. A plan to open a new gate at Giyani has been approved. Shangoni Gate would be opened at Muyexe Village, 30 km north-east of Giyani town.

Giyani Stadium is the home of National First Division club Dynamos F.C.

Buy

There are several places to purchase traditional goods and the brightly coloured beaded clothing of the area. There is also a modern mall.

Giyani has ​become a major retail and entertainment centre for the local population. Modern shopping centres, with all the well-known chain stores presented, have vastly uplifted the local trade.

Eat

Fast food chains.