ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

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LatestContinued from Page 23

of AYUSH in the wake of declaration of International Day of Yoga has identifi ed

Quality Council of India (QCI) to develop a scheme for Voluntary Certifi cation of Yoga Professionals since QCI has exper-tise in developing such quality based on the best international practices.

The objective of the scheme is to certify yoga professionals which will evaluate four levels of competence ie: yoga instruc-tor, yoga teacher, yoga master and yoga acharya. The scheme is being launched

by the Ministry of AYUSH and imple-mented by Quality Council of India. Yoga stands for harmony & peace. The aim of the scheme is to specify the competence requirements in terms of knowledge and skills to be complied by the Yoga professionals in the form of Competence Standard. It also aims to defi ne the process of evaluation and certifi cation in laying down requirements for competence and

operation of assessment of bodies through Accredition after creating awareness about the launch of the scheme by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.

For further details about the scheme please log on to yogacertifi cation.qci.org.in

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Free drum music classes: Free pro-

fessional drum music classes are available at Salmiya for all age groups from begin-ners to advanced by a well experienced drum teacher. For more details: 94974295.

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Share your story with Amricani: Do you or any of your family members, acquaintances or friends happen to have a story with the American Missionary

hospital in Kuwait (Mustashfa Lemrai-cani) during the years from 1914-1967, the offi cial period of offering medical services in Kuwait?

Please share with us your story or your memory during those old days by writing the event and sending it to the following email address: Mystory@darmuseum.org.kw

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Abundant wildlife, fascinating history and culture

South Africa offers natural, scenic beauty, adventureContinued from Page 24

the garden province and South Af-rica’s playground. KwaZulu-Natal, known as the Kingdom of Zulu, it one of South Africa’s premier holiday destinations. From the dramatic and imposing cliffs of the Drakens-berg Mountain Range to the golden beaches of the coast, the province of-fers the visitor a truly exciting African adventure.

From its mountains, rolling hills and pristine beaches to world heritage sites, battlefi elds and a perennially warm climate, Kwazulu-Natal is al-ways ready to welcome the thousands of tourists who visit the province each year. The province is home to two World Heritage Sites: The iSimongal-iso Wetland Park and the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. The 332 000 ha iSimongaliso Wetland Park features tune lake systems, eight eco systems, swamp forests, pristine reefs, Africa’s largest estuarine system, more than 500 bird species and some of the highest sand dunes in the world.

The imposing mountain range of uKhahlamba- Drakensberg Park is celebrated for its San rock art as well as its beauty. More than 30 000 symbolic paintings adorn the walls and overhangs of 500 caves scattered throughout this exclusive and ancient landscape. In and around the town of Ladysmith in the northern hinterland lies the historical Battlefi eld region, which has witnessed much spilling of blood. Zulu warriors, Boer garrisons and British troops clashes in many skirmishes in the region during the 1800’s. The most famous of these was the 188-day siege of Ladysmith dur-ing the South African (Anglo-Boer) war.

Culturally speaking, the province is a mix of Zulu, Indian and Colonial infl uences with each heritage re-fl ected in historical and cultural trails, architecture, township cuisine and Durban’s fi ne Indian curries.

Larger shopping malls, in the prov-ince include Umhlanga’s Gateway; the Galleria in Amanzimtoti; the Midlands Mall in Pietermaritzburg; Westville’s Parillion; the Dolphin cost

exceptional birding, untamed bush landscapes and an ancient African kingdom, the centre of which was located at Mapungubwe National Park. It is also the northern gateway to the Kruger National Park. The Mapungubwe Hill world Heritage site is one of the world’s most important cultural and archaeological sites. Bela Bela is home to hot mineral springs renowned for their healing proper-ties. The African experience of game viewing and tracking the Big Five is absolutely fantastic here, probably the best of all the nine provinces of South Africa.

■ Free State The Free State province is known

as the granary of South Africa. Com-ing across the Orange River into the Free State, the vista that will unfold in front of you is one of the immense glassy Savannahs and never-ending fi elds of Maize, Sunfl owers and Wheat, dotted with windmills and farmsteads. The Scenic beauty of the eastern highlands reaches a climax when you come to the Golden Gate National Park with its spectacular sandstone formations, an area of extraordinary scenic beauty. The King Rose Park garden containing more than 4000 rose bushes in Bloemfon-tein has given the city’s capital the nickname of City of Roses. One of the major annual events in the capital city is the Manguang Arts Festival, popu-larly known as the Macufe Festival held annually in September.

The Vredefort Dome, a World heritage site, is the oldest and largest meteorite impact site in the world formed about two billion years ago when a giant meteorite hit Earth. With close to 340 days of sunshine per year makes this province a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities such as game viewing, mountain-eering, horse riding, 4 x 4 trail and mountain biking, to name of few. The dams and rivers provide many water spot opportunities, like angling, river rafting and canoeing. From the Major cities to the rural villages, townships, the friendliness and hospitality of the people are overwhelming.

Couple having a picnic; Golden Gate National Park, Free State.

Kruger National Park — Limpopo

God’s Window — Mpumalanga

Gold Reef City Theme Park — Gauteng

Saint Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal

Centre in Ballito; Musgrave Centre in Durban; La Luci Mall in La Lucia; and the Shelley Mall on the lower South Coast.

■ MpumalangaMpumalanga, “the place where the

sun rises”, lies in the eastern part of South Africa. It embraces the south-ern half of Kruger National Park, a huge nature reserve with abundant wildlife including big fi ve game (i.e. lions, elephants, rhino, leopard and buffalo). The climate and topography varies from cool highland grasslands at 1600m above sea level, through the middleveld, to the subtropical lowveld towards the famous Kruger National Park and many private game reserves. Scenic beauty, good climate and wildlife are found in abundance in the province. The province’s iconic Blyde River Canyon, (a 26 km long gorge and among the world’s larg-

est) and is one of natural wonders of Africa and is known as a green canyon because of its subtropical foliage. Sabie is the centre of the larg-est manmade forest in South Africa and a major attraction for mountain bikers. The God’s Window provides a magnifi cent panoramic view across miles of densely forested mountains, the green Loweveld and the canyon. This province with the sheer splen-dored of its immense beauty and some of South African’s most diverse and vibrant cultures, it has it all. From one of the most exhilarating wildlife areas in Africa, to spectacular mountain retreats, ancient ruined cities and vil-lages and wild water sports.

■ GautengPopularly known as the place of

gold. The history of gold in South Africa became the history of Gauteng. Gold rush Shantytowns developed

into some of Africa’s largest met-ropolitan cities; Johannesburg, the capital of the province Soweto, the heart of the freedom struggle, Pretoria and the administrative capital of South Africa and the Vaal Triangle, an industrial heartland. Geographi-cally the smallest province, Gauteng is an urban playground of note, taking in the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Think large shopping malls, the gold reef theme park, bars, major shopping malls, hotels, casinos, and a vibrant cultural and entertainment scene. It is also South Africa’s fast-paced economic powerhouse. For visitors, Vibrant Johannesburg has many sites relating to the country’s 20th-century struggle to end segrega-tion, including the Apartheid Museum and its multimedia exhibits. And in Soweto Township, Mandela House

is a museum dedicated to civil rights leader Nelson Mandela. Other major attractions include the Sterkfontein caves near Krugersdorp, the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, National Botanical gardens, the Apartheid Museum, Freedom Park and Union Buildings in Pretoria, the Apartheid Museum, etc.

■ LimpopoThe landscape is made of dramatic

contrasts characterised by hot savan-nah plains and mist-clad mountains, age old indigenous forests, ancient mountain fortresses and contemporary infrastructure and modern day facili-ties. Limpopo houses a large number of game farms, private and provin-cial game reserves, adjoining the northern part of the renounced Kruger National Park at its eastern border. Limpopo has become a sought-after tourist destination for its big game,

destinations