Lesedi Cultural Village

Lesedi Cultural Village was established in 1993.  Situated within the Cradle of Humankind, a visit to South Africa would certainly be incomplete without a visit to Lesedi - the cradle of living African culture. In an informative and entertaining way, Lesedi provides the visitor with a better understanding of the rich cultural background of the traditional peoples of South Africa.

Lesedi has offered the pre-eminent African cultural experience in South Africa for the past 15 years. The opportunity to be immersed in the traditional richness of African Culture is enhanced with 38 beautifully themed guest rooms to accommodate guests in first class comfort.

Representatives of the various tribes facilitated the design of the cultural villages to ensure a historically representative portrayal of the cultures, highlighting aspects of the traditional way of life. Members of these historic communities live at Lesedi and continue to breathe life into their fascinating cultures.

Accommodation at Lesedi Cultural Village:
Stay with a traditional rural African family in a choice of five traditional homesteads, which nestle in the African bush, and where families of Pedi, Sotho, Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele live.

Accommodation offers every modern comfort with en-suite bathrooms. Some interesting facts of each tribal homestead are detailed for your enjoyment.

On arrival at Lesedi in the late afternoon, youll be welcomed by the families who then take you to their homestead where you will be staying. The head of the home then becomes your personal escort for the rest of your stay. Once settled in your comfortable accommodation huts, youll be introduced to the many colourful and fascinating aspects of the cultures of the people of Lesedi.

NYAMA CHOMA RESTAURANT:
An integral element of African culture is the way in which food forms part of the celebration of their eclectic mix of cultures. The 160-seater restaurant with its authentic setting and vibrant decor offers an exotic buffet with meat delicacies ranging from ostrich to unusual fare such as crocodile. The restaurant is divided into three sections, namely:
East Africa: featuring murals of the Maasai, the beautiful people of the East
South Africa: Murals of nine tribes of South Africa
North Africa, the Nile Room: Sit cross legged on floor cushions at low tables

Each of these venues offers its own unique dining experience, where you can absorb the variety of colours, sights, smells, tastes and sounds of the various African customs. All of which is complemented by the restaurants traditional and friendly service.

FUNDUDZI BAR:
Lesedis Fundudzi Bar or Ma Thabelengs Shebeen offers a lively location to socialise and enjoy drinks with friends.

MA THABELENGS SHEBEEN:
A fun, friendly bar keeps the wonderful cultures of “Mama Africa alive, and where you can try a few traditional African drinks. We can also prepare unusual shebeen lunches to add to the excitement of your stay.

TSWANA LETSATSI:
The lapa which seats up to 120 people offers a unique setting, with burning fire pots surrounding the walls of the lapa and a huge bonfire forming the central feature. Soft, white river sand forms the flooring to provide an outdoor atmosphere, while the menu is a true African braai, accompanied by a buffet of African dishes. A fully stocked bar is also available.
The lapa is the perfect choice for informal functions or as an alternative dinner venue or simply for a great outdoor party.

NORTH AFRICAN NILE ROOM:
The Serengeti - The Nile room (art history from the source of the mouth of the mighty Nile).

This room reflects the traditions and style of the people of the North who drink from the Nile River, and when they relax, sit crossed legged on floor cushions at low tables smoking hubbly-bubbly.
The dcor and murals represent the history of our Northern neighbours, the slave trade, the explorations of David Livingstone and the influence of the Arabian traditions, cultures and food. It is an ideal venue for private functions, birthday parties or celebrations of up to 40 people (a favourite is to hire a Belly Dancer)!

INGOMA (DANCE) BOMA:
This is our traditional Isibaya or Great Hut and is an ideal venue for buffet or barbeque (“braai”) style functions for up to 50 guests.

Facilities at Lesedi Cultural Village:
- Conference facilities
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Curio Shop
- Housekeeping
- 24 hour security
- Free parking for guests
- Children welcome
- Laundry facilities
- Baby sitting facilities

Conferencing at Lesedi Cultural Village:
Conference facilities and African team building activities make Lesedi an ideal venue for corporate outings. Lesedi will breathe new life into company conferences, functions and special events. Enjoy the spirit of Ubuntu at this unique cultural venue, where the music, song, and warmth of Africas hospitality await you and the lifestyle of her people will enthral and ensure a conference with a difference. Our dedicated team will assist in ensuring that we provide you with an African Affair to cherish forever.

This conference venue is conveniently located in the rolling Magaliesburg hills, close to Hartebeespoort Dam, Lesedi is just a mere 45 minute drive from Johannesburg, 30 minutes from Sandton and 45 minutes from Pretoria.

Lesedi African Lodge and Cultural Village offers a unique African experience. Our 30 hectare tranquil and peaceful setting offers delegates a charming and different ambience for all corporate functions. Most of our 120 staff lives in the village, the hub of the Cultural Experience.

We offer:
- A unique, colourful and lively venue
- 5 conference facilities with seating capacity from 25 to 120 delegates
- 5 eating venues offering a range of menus
- Cultural programmes and tours
- Day conference packages
- Fully inclusive overnight packages
- Overnight in one of our 5 luxury themed African villages
- African Teambuilding Activities
- Flexible programmes can be tailored to your specific needs and budget

Accommodation for up to 80 guests and further accommodation is available at neighbouring lodges.

Our conference facilities can cater for small, intimate conferences and functions or can host larger groups of up to 120 delegates. We have 5 very distinctive conference facilities, ranging from the intimate Sensakhakona for 25 delegates to our largest venue, the Musi`s Ndebele Theatre, which can host 120 delegates in cinema style. We also have several breakaway rooms and in keeping with the true African ambience, we often have breakaway sessions under our trees.

Overnight conference visitors journey begins when they accommodated in any of the five well-appointed richly decorated “Out of Africa guestrooms, situated in each of the real-life indigenous villages - Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele.

Built in traditional style, but with all modern conveniences, conference delegates can experience the lifestyle of a traditional rural African family. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, DSTV as well as coffee and tea-making facilities.

Lesedis 5 dining venues offer a variety of experiences - a 3-course African Buffet with an array of traditional dishes in the Nyama Choma Restaurant; the North African Nile Room where you sit cross-legged on floor cushions (hubby bubblys supplied); an authentic African Braai in the open air Lapa or Boma; or a light African styled lunch in the Shebeen.

We also offer unique “Out of Africa function and gala evening venues, to provide a kaleidoscope of cultural colour and passion.
Lesedi offers a range of African Teambuilding activities, from spear throwing to potjiekos competitions. Our skilled facilitators make this a really pleasurable and effective experience. Outside teambuilding facilitators are also welcome.

Entertainment at Lesedi Cultural Village:
Daily Cultural Show
The Monati (lunch) and Boma (dinner) cultural experiences are 2 hour programs starting at 11:30am and 16:30pm daily. Guests are taken to the Ndebele village where a welcome by all the people of Lesedi, takes place. The program begins with a multi-visual presentation on the history and origins of todays rainbow nation, followed by a guided tour of the five homesteads. Guests are escorted to the Boma for traditional singing and dancing a very participative affair!

Letsatsi Lapa, a place where guests can come together as a group for an informal function. Lit up with pots of burning fire which surround the walls of the lapa and a huge bon-fire in the middle. The floor is soft white river sand creating a unique outdoor feeling.

Dance Show
The Ingoma An amazing multi-cultural dance show. As the sun sets over the African bush, youre escorted to the Boma for a very interactive affair of traditional singing and dancing, which depict stories dating back to the days of their ancestors. Thrill to the amazing spectacle of Lesedi`s Giant Ngoma, a multi-cultural dance display that will teach you more about our fascinating traditions.

School Groups
Lesedi offers an informative educational program ideally designed for school groups. The program starts at 09h00 and include the following:

- DVD presentation and introduction in the Ndebele Theatre
- Village walk introducing learners to the Zulu, Basotho, Xhosa, Pedi and Ndebele tribes
- Cultural dancing and singing in the Giant Ngoma
- Lunch (a cultural adventure with pap and Boerewors rolls served in the Boma)

Optional extras include the following at an additional cost per learner per activity. The village walk may be substituted by one of the below activities at no extra charge. Please note that the below activities are however limited to a maximum number and Lesedi reserves the right to limit this. Please enquire when making your reservation.

- Ketti shooting competition (slingshot)
- Cultural Quiz
- Amazing Race
- Interactive Drumming