Amapiano love: how a solo female traveller was inspired by music to explore South Africa
In an era where travel and music intertwine more than ever, the allure of music tourism is captivating a growing number of globetrotters.
Among them is American solo female traveller and content creator Mimi Pinkjested, whose journey to South Africa was fuelled by the euphoric rhythms of Amapiano and Afro-house music.
This genre, synonymous with South Africa's vibrant musical culture, has not only influenced her travel decisions but also transformed her experience while exploring the rainbow nation.
Pinkjested took to TikTok to share her compelling story of why she ventured to Mzansi, revealing how Amapiano became the heartbeat of her adventure.
'I will say that Amapiano is what really pushed me to visit the country. There is just something about Amapiano, Afro-house, and South African music altogether that just makes me feel something,' she states, reflecting on the emotional pull of the music and its ability to inspire travel.
Her journey began after attending the Afro Nation Music Festival, where the infectious beats of Amapiano captivated her so intensely that she decided to extend her stay in South Africa beyond the originally planned two weeks.
Ultimately, she spent more than a month traversing the diverse landscapes of the country, journeying through political metropolises like Johannesburg and the scenic vistas of Cape Town.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
12 minutes ago
- TimesLIVE
From Nonku Williams leaving #RHOD to Lebo M finding love again — top stories of the week
TshisaLIVE 06 June 2025 - 17:34 Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. Nonku Williams, Lebo M and Gogo Manzini made headlines this week. Image: X Apart from giving you the hottest scoops on a daily basis, TshisaLIVE has a podcast feature where you can catch up on the top entertainment stories of the week, with added commentary from journalists and the voices of your faves. Join the discussion: Here's a glimpse at some of the stories: Popular sangoma dies Tyra Sindane, known as Gogo Manzini, has died. Gogo Manzini was renowned for her unique approach to healing with honey-producing bees and for 'money-attraction' rituals. She was also the founder of KOS Casting Agency, which was dedicated to opening doors for actors, models and TV presenters. A statement shared by the family with TshisaLIVE confirmed the sangoma died on Thursday after a short illness. The glitz and glam of South African entertainment will collide with the grit and intensity of boxing when the Lehlohonolo Ledwaba Memorial Celebrity Boxing Event takes centre stage at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park on July 26. As viewers of The Real Housewives of Durban eagerly await the last few episodes and the upcoming reunion, the longest-standing contestant, Nonku Williams, dropped a bombshell on her timeline announcing her decision to leave the show. Lion King producer Lebo M has put a ring on it again — this time to his on-and-off partner Malefu 'Mel' Ntsala. The two got engaged in a private affair in Dubai on May 30. Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
REVIEW: Hollywood on the Veld, when movie mayhem gripped the City of Gold
Isidore Schlesinger, better known as 'IW', built a studio on a farm called Killarney, where he set out to challenge a place in America that was in its infancy: Hollywood. In 1913, an American millionaire living on the top floor of Johannesburg's Carlton Hotel had an extraordinary idea: to make films in Johannesburg. And not just any films, but the biggest in the world, grand spectacles with elaborate sets, thousands of extras, and epic storylines. Isidore Schlesinger arrived in South Africa with almost nothing. He set out to make his fortune selling American goods, telling his parents he'd return either a millionaire or a pauper. Known as 'IW', Schlesinger built a film studio on a farm called Killarney, with the ambitious goal of rivalling a place that was itself only just emerging—Hollywood, which at the time was still farmland outside Los Angeles, dotted with shacks and barns. Though movies were still in their infancy in 1913, and despite having no background in entertainment, Schlesinger quickly made his mark on the global film scene. He launched 'The African Mirror', a newsreel series, and sent crews as far as East Africa to document World War I. His production company was among the first to shoot on location outdoors, while Hollywood was still confining itself to studios and painted backdrops. Schlesinger's crews filmed across the bushveld, at historic battlefields, Victoria Falls, and the forests of Portuguese East Africa - well beyond the comfort zones of most of his contemporaries. He was deeply passionate about South Africa's landscapes and cinematic potential. The glamour and ambition of IW's Killarney studio mirrored the mood of early 20th-century Johannesburg, a city in the midst of a heady golden age.
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
From K@k to Kasi: My culinary journey of mishaps, mastery, and avocado magic
A year ago, my editor Tony Jackman asked me to write a regular column, the K@k Cook, about my kitchen experiments that often ended in disaster. Today, after many successes in the kitchen, I'm proud to shed that name and embrace my roots as The Kasi Cook. Some chefs earn their stripes in Michelin-starred kitchens. Others, like me, get their nickname from the sharp wit of an editor. When Tony Jackman, my editor, called me last year and asked if I might like to write a regular food column, I said: 'but I'm such a kak cook'. To which he responded: 'Ah! Maybe that could be the name…' Since the column began a year ago, it has been rooted in experimenting with recipes and turning kitchen chaos into edible miracles. The name was an honour, especially considering that Jackman is a culinary legend with a penchant for savouring foie gras and fine wine. Some of my experiments in the kitchen have been disastrous. Remember my botched attempt at making soft and fluffy amagwinyas, which turned out dull, lumpy at the centre, and rock-hard on the outside? The above article launched my K@k Cook column, and a year later I've enjoyed even more successes in the kitchen. One of the many successes has been my series on avocado-based recipes. Over the past three weeks, I've been diving deep into the creamy world of avocados, experimenting with bold and unexpected flavour combinations. From combining avocado with pilchards to pap, each recipe has explored the versatility of this beloved fruit. I've also played with textures, pairing smooth avocado with crunchy, fresh ingredients to create exciting contrasts. And because of this experimentation, Jackman believes that the name K@k Cook is no longer fitting. He thinks I've graduated from my early kitchen mishaps and have become somewhat of a culinary expert. With each new recipe and successful dish, I've gained confidence and skill, transforming from a curious experimenter into a more seasoned cook. Okay, maybe calling myself 'seasoned' is a bit of a reach. So, dear reader, the time has come for a new chapter. I'm hanging up my K@k Cook apron and stepping into the spotlight as The Kasi Cook. If you are not au fait with South Africa and its culture, the word Kasi (also spelled 'Kasie') is a popular slang term for a township or location. I was born and raised in a township called Dobsonville, part of Soweto in Johannesburg. Kasi culture is rich, diverse, and an integral part of South African identity and history. I proudly celebrate my roots in the Kasi. The Kasi Cook is also sad to announce that the avocado series is ending. However, the series finishes on a sweet note with dark chocolate avocado muffins on the menu. It might sound like an unusual pairing, but chocolate and avocado complement each other beautifully, especially in desserts. Avocado's creamy, buttery texture adds richness and smoothness, while its slightly earthy flavour perfectly balances the deep, intense taste of chocolate. Many recipes use avocado as a healthy substitute for oil or butter to create silky, luscious chocolate desserts that are both nutritious and delicious. My dark chocolate avocado muffins turned out wonderfully, with the avocado providing much-needed moisture to what can often be dry muffins. Ray's chocolate avocado muffins Ingredients 1 cup flour ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 1 mashed avocado ½ cup milk ½ cup honey 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract ½ cup dark chocolate, chopped into pieces Method Preheat the oven to 250°C and line a muffin tin with paper liners, or lightly grease it. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, mash 1 ripe avocado until smooth. Add the wet ingredients to the mashed avocado: ½ cup milk, ½ cup honey, 2 eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the chopped dark chocolate pieces (½ cup) evenly throughout the batter. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
