Gone are the days of being fooled into buying things we don’t need! In the age of information, consumers are smarter than ever before. Not only are they smarter about their own needs but an increasing social and environmental awareness means that people are interested in the overall impact of their behavior. This influences the demand for products and services we consume and the tourism sector is no exception. Responsible tourism, simply put, is about creating great destinations that are both better to visit and live in, and it’s everybody’s business! It involves local government, the tourism sector, visitors and residents working together to ensure that tourism leaves a lasting positive impact on the environment and socio-economic climate of the destination city.

In 1996, South Africa became the first country to include responsible tourism in legislation and in 2009; Cape Town won the award for “Best Destination” at the 2009 Responsible Tourism Awards. The Cape Town Declaration of Responsible Tourism was also adopted as the world definition. While this is some indication that the city is in the forefront of responsible tourism globally, there is still lots of work to be done in order to claim worthiness of the award.

Some of the initiatives put in place by the city during the 2010 World Cup to promote responsible tourism include Zibi bins (or public recycling bins), the upgrading of the city centre, construction of walkways and deployment of CCID security to make the city safer and more pedestrian friendly as well the Integrated Rapid Transport System (MyCiTi buses). However, it remains to be seen if these and other initiatives can be sustained in the long run!

That all sounds great, but you’re probably wondering what you can do? Well, for most of Connect-123′s Cape Town program participants, half the job is done! By the very nature of the work that you do at your host organizations, your visit to Cape Town is in some way contributing to improving the economic, social and environmental climate in the city. But as you know, there is always more you can do, so here are our top 8 tips:

1. Learn the lingo: Connect-123 recently started offering introductory Xhosa lessons. Why not join the class to learn to greet colleagues at your host organization in their home language? It’ll be sure to both impress and amuse them.

2. Local is “lekker”: Buy crafts and souvenirs from markets rather than major shopping malls to ensure proceeds go straight back into the communities. Buying locally produced goods saves money and is less harmful to the environment. Try All Gold ketchup! It’s Proudly South African and is just as good as Heinz J

3. Maximum respect: Ask permission before photographing people.

4. Paint the township red: consider going on a township tour. Organizations such as Andulela arrange packages with various interactive activities such as drumming, beading and soccer.

5. Be streetwise: never give money to beggars on the street. Choose a reputable charity if you wish to donate money to a worthy cause.

6. Quench your thirst: Drink tap water. South African tap water is the third best in the world!

7. Green fingers: Plant a tree during Arbor Week, the first week in September, to help offset your carbon foot.

8. Don’t be a pickpocket: The shells look prettier on the beach than they would on your window sill at home and flowers are always most beautiful on the plants from which they blossom. Take a picture instead!

Remember that while your stay in Cape Town may be relatively short, 4 million people call it home! So let’s all show the Mother City the respect she deserves!

If you’ve ever spent any time in Argentina, you are most definitely aware of the mysterious, ever-present, drinkable force known as mate. More than just a loose tea infusion consumed from a hollow gourd and metal straw, mate is a social construct with its own set of rites and accepted behaviors, meant to be enjoyed and shared among friends.  Here we’ve examined some classic mate myths and misconceptions, so next time you find yourself in Argentina, you’ll have the inside scoop on “the drink of health and friendship”.

Photo courtesy of guillebot

MYTH:
It is correct to say “gracias” when someone hands you the mate

This might seem counter-intuitive, as it is pretty much standard practice to say ‘thank you’ when anyone hands you anything, anywhere in the world, ever.  But when drinking mate you’ve got to find a way to break that pesky, gracious habit as saying ‘thank you’ signals to the cebador (the guy in charge of the refills) that you are finished and don’t want any more when your turn comes around again.   So quit being so polite!

MYTH:
Mate is a cold-weather drink

There’s a strange phenomenon that exists among some native mate drinkers:  drinking mate in the summer to cool off!  The logic has something to do with the difference between your own body’s temperature and the temperature outside nearing each other and therefore making you feel cooler.  Could this belief have merit?  We’ve seen enough mate drinking at the beach to wonder…
PS: if you doubt that theory but still want mate in the summer, try mate prepared with cold water: tereré.

MYTH:
Mate is very good for you

Well, the jury is still out on this one.  According to popular lore, mate gives you energy, aids in weight loss, lowers cholesterol and contains many antioxidants.  Not too shabby.  But, on the other hand, there have been studies linking extensive mate usage to esophageal and other cancers (though it is unknown whether that is due to the yerba itself, the way the leaves are dried or even overheating the water used to drink it with).  And we can tell you from experience, drinking too much mate can cause tummy aches among native and non-native drinkers alike, so start off slow until you build up some yerba tolerance.

MYTH:
Due to its need for hot water and messiness of the loose yerba tea, Mate is not consumed in the car

This is funny, because compared to some other cultures out there (hmm, US?) Argentinians typically don’t drink or eat much in the car at all.  The exception to this, of course, is our dear friend, mate.  Mate is a road trip favorite, and any self-respecting highway gas station has a hot water machine so you can refill your thermos while you refill your gas tank.  But, Ojo!  There are frequently signs in the gas station restrooms reminding you not to dump your used yerba in the sink; the garbage or a plastic bag works just fine.

MYTH:
Mate is very, very bitter

Well, true.  Mate does have a grassy, herbal, bitter taste.  But mate is as diverse as it is popular, and it is acceptable to drink it with sugar as well…so don’t be afraid to ask!  (Although do ask rather than just loading it up with sugar, as if one person in the circle is drinking it with sugar, you all are drinking it with sugar).  And you do run the risk of receiving a disapproving look from the extra hard-core mate drinkers in the group, but you are a mate newbie, what do they expect?

Photo courtesy of Juanpol

Additional mate questions?  Leave a comment below and we’ll see if we can get Caro, beloved member of the Connect-123 team and resident mate addict to weigh in!

I was in Cape Town with Connect-123 for June and July of 2010. I cannot say enough about how amazing my experience was and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a valuable internship abroad and cultural experience.  Cape Town is an amazing place for people seeking adventure, great culture, beautiful landscapes, and history.  Whether you want to go hiking, bungee jumping, sunbathing, or go on a safari, there is something for everyone in Cape Town.  It is also full of a variety of cultural heritage and backgrounds.

The Connect staff is always available to help with any of your needs along the way, and they also organize monthly and bi-weekly events and trips for all of the interns to meet each other and experience South Africa together.

The variety of internships available to students is incredible.  During my internship I went to small businesses, like craft shops and agricultural farmers, to provide business consulting for how these companies could be more efficient, organized, and sustainable.  It was a truly rewarding and valuable experience passing on the knowledge I had to others that needed it.  Gaining hands on business experience in a foreign country during a summer internship was nothing short of priceless and I have the Connect-123 staff to thank for making it all possible.