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Johannesburg Travel Guide
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| Johannesburg
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Fast-paced,
frenetic JOHANNESBURG has had a reputation for immorality,
greed and violence ever since its first plot auction in December
1886. Despite its status as the largest and richest city in
the country, it has never been the seat of government or national
political power, allowing it to concentrate fully on what
it has always done best: make money and get ahead. Those priorities
have, over the years, cut across political and racial lines:
only in Jo'burg would ambitious black Africans like Nelson
Mandela have been able to train in a white law firm; only
in Jo'burg would creative hotspots like Sophiatown and Alexandra
exist at all; and only in Jo'burg would white liberalism have
been given any intellectual recognition in the dark days of
apartheid.
Even so, the divisions of the old South Africa are as apparent
here as anywhere else. Ridiculously opulent white mansions
in leafy suburbs are protected by high walls and razor wire,
only a mile or two from sprawling shanty towns housing millions
of intensely poor blacks. As the new political dispensation
sees formerly white areas administratively yoked with the
black townships, so the city struggles to cope with massive
pressures on housing, services and law and order. Nowhere
is the new tension more in evidence than in the previously
all-white central business district, where an influx of poor
blacks, and a soaring crime rate, has caused a mass exodus
of shops and restaurants to the northern suburbs. |
| Johannesburg
Travels & Tours |
Gold Reef City
Built around the No. 14 shaft of Crown Mines, this city
is an authentic reproduction of Johannesburg at the beginning
of the 1900s. There are fully furnished miner's houses with
original furniture and fittings, including pressed ceilings.
The museum exhibits include antique clothing and children's
toys, which take the visitor back 100 years to the city
that was. A train encircles the park and many shops offer
interesting curios. You can also visit the original gold
mine in a lift that goes down to 220 meters below the surface.
An onsite casino is open 24 hours daily.
Museum Africa
Located at the Newtown Cultural Precinct, Museum Africa
carries a variety of exhibits, most of which pertain to
the rich history of Africa. Of special interest is the display
of historic works of art, which will give you an insight
into artists' impressions of the Anglo-Boer War. Geological
specimens, paintings, prints, photographs and numerous objects
from all corners of southern Africa are also on display.
In order to fully appreciate the collection, it is best
to allow at least a couple of hours for the visit.
Ithemba-Lethu
What better way to get to know South Africa's most famous
township than through an organised tour? Let the locals
give you the inside line of this sprawling suburb that encompasses
shanty towns and palatial mansions. This vibrant and colourful
area played a significant role in the liberation of South
Africa, and a visit to Johannesburg would be incomplete
without a Soweto stopover.
The tour includes a visit to Nelson Mandela's former home,
where he lived while practising as a lawyer in Johannesburg.
Other historic sites such as Walter Sisulu's house, the
Hector Peterson Memorial and the Chris Hani-Baragwanath
Hospital form part of this three-hour guided tour.
Lesedi Cultural Village
Experience the heartbeat of Africa in true bushveld surroundings.
Visitors tour traditional villages of the Zulu, Ndebele,
Sotho, Pedi and Xhosa and learn about their lifestyle and
traditions. The Lesedi dancers perform in daily and evening
shows and they are a must-see for anyone who has not experienced
African dancing. A traditional African feast awaits you
at the end of your visit and offers a spread of dishes from
around the African continent. For artifacts and souvenirs,
browse through the offerings at the craft market. Overnight
accommodations are also available.
Westcliff Heritage Trust
To really dig into the history of Johannesburg and discover
most of the grand old homes of Jo'burg's mining boom-time
era, buy a map of the city and stroll the roads of Westcliff.
The homes built along the ridge here are often elevated
to take advantage of the stunning views (on a clear day
as far as the Magaliesberg hills). You will see grand estates,
including the unique styles of one of South Africa's most
famous architects, Sir Herbert Baker. Phone the Westcliff
Heritage Trust for further information and guided tour schedules.
Carlton Panorama
View the landscape of Johannesburg from the 50th floor of
the tallest building in Africa. This is an ideal orientation
experience for visitors, contrasting the old and the new
parts of this metropolis. Originally a mining town, "Jo'burg"
is characterized by the ever-present mine dumps that look
like hills and add to the city's distinct silhouette. A
valuable educational outing for children, a visit here demonstrates
the structure of a city and its evolution through the years.
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