South Africa’s triumphant victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup sparked the humble beginnings of our group, Friends of South Africa, Nashville. On the day of the Championship game, a dozen or so proud and rather homesick expats gathered in Nashville to celebrate the historic win.

Today, almost three decades later, our group has grown by the hundreds. We gather for rugby, monthly Tannies Teas, braais, music nights, dragon boat competitions, cricket matches, an annual holiday market, and much more. While fully participating in the activities of our new home here in middle-Tennessee, we also proudly celebrate our South African roots.

We welcome new arrivals and help them find their feet. We love our regular members who have become our family here in Nashville. We enjoy the company of visitors who stop by for a quick ‘hallo’ when in town. Since we live in Music City USA, we love supporting our fellow South African artists who perform around town. We regularly welcome vendors to our events, who supply us with biltong, boerewors, South African wine and other delicacies.

For up-to-date information on our group’s activities, follow along on Facebook at Friends of South Africa, Nashville, or send me an email to be added to my mailing list.