OVERVIEW
‘Jo’burg’, the capital of the region Gauteng, is a fascinating city with a modern centre, combining its ways with the older surroundings.
It is a very modern city by African standards but it does not hold many attractions for tourists. Sights in Johannesburg include the new Museum Africa which offers an honest and self-critical look at the nation’s sometimes troubled past and the Market Theater Complex which houses theaters and a Saturday flea market.
History buffs will be interested in the Smuts Library at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) where South African statesman Jan Smuts’ book collection is preserved. The university’s Gubbins Library has an extensive collection of books on Africa.
Negotiate with a taxi driver to give you an impromptu tour through Jo’burg’s neighborhoods—he’ll take you past some large and impressive mansions hidden behind imposing security (home security is big business in South Africa). Yeoville was a funky neighborhood but today it has deteriorated along the lines of the former hip nightspot Hillbrow and is, in honesty, a bit of a pit.
Tours are easily arranged in Johannesburg for those interested in visiting the black suburb of Soweto (the name is an abbreviation of Southwestern Townships). The tours begin with the ultramodern township hospital and continue through all types of neighborhoods ranging from shanty towns and worker’s hostels to the modern home of Nelson Mandela (he lived there for only a short while upon his release from prison). The tour also includes Mandela’s earlier and more humble home where he lived when he was arrested more than 30 years ago. For us the most striking sight was a functioning high school with every single window broken. It was surrounded by razor-wire fences. Also consider visiting Oriental Plaza, a shopping complex, where the majority of shop owners are South African Indians (much of the wares have Indian connections).
Excursions include a half-day trip to see the fossils at Sterkfontein Caves (a half-hour drive from town the site itself takes several hours to tour). Gold Reef City (part of what was once Crown Mines, one of many mines in and around Johannesburg) is more like a theme park than a mine tour: it features a museum ride on a vintage steam train and performances by African tribal dancers. There are several working gold mines to visit near Johannesburg, including Welkom, Evander, Carletonville, Klerksdorp and Orkney. However, to visit these mines prior permission is needed — write months in advance. (Satour will help arrange such visits. Be aware that many mines do not allow anyone under age 16.)
There are also several game reserves and breeding stations within a half-day drive, such as the De Wildt Cheetah Research and Breeding Station and the Crocodile Farm. If you’re going to be in Johannesburg on a Sunday consider a visit to the Heia Safari Ranch 24 mi/38 km from town where tribal dancers perform—it provides a good introduction to the country if Johannesburg is your first stop. An alternative to the ranch is South Ndebele Village: an interesting Botshabelo tribe open-air museum that shows how tribes used to live.
As goes for most big cities, crime is not an uncommon thing in Jo’burg. Keep your valuable belongings at a safe spot, so you don’t have to worry about them. The Johannesburg International Airport is located just east of Johannesburg. Because of the crime situation in Johannesburg hotels in Sandton (a suburb of Johannesburg, about 25 kilometres north of the city centre) or near the airport are recommended for unescorted visitors on their first night in the country.
SIGHTS
Although Johannesburg does not have that many sights to offer, this most certainly does not mean that you should skip it on your trip. It houses one of the best museums on the turbulent past, the MuseuMAfricA. The Newtown Cultural Pretinct and the Phumangena Zula Kraal are suburbs that give a microscopic view of South African life and worth exploring. For those interested in Art, Jo’burg has many art galleries that do not only give a view of the most recent artists from the region, but also have exhibitions on the turbulent history of the city and country. Johannesburg is also the place from which to visit Soweto. This group of townships was the scene of terrible violence in 1976, when students protested against the introduction of Afrikaans as an official language at schools.
GETTING AROUND
Unfortunately (for us living here) the public transport in Johannesburg is lacking. The best is to rent a car - remember to drive on the left hand side of the road! An informal network of minibus taxis operate in most areas but visitors will find this very difficult to use - a system of hand signs etc is used to indicate where to go which is only known by the community using it. Busses do not operate in most areas e.g. suburbs therefore: rent a car - coming from Europe or the States you will find it and the petrol very cheap.
NOTICE
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