Cape Town is the Mother City, the most beautiful city in South Africa. A lot of people don’t realize Johannesburg is also a unique city. Perhaps not so “visually appealing” (because of no Table Mountain, no Sea, and No Winelands), but certainly with its charm, hotspots and absolute must see places. Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa, the capital of the rich Gauteng province. The different things and place to go are listed below:
Apartheid Museum
An impressive place is explaining apartheid and what it has done to South Africa. A lot of pictures and video material will take you quite a few hours after leaving the museum. Whatever you do, a visit to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg should not be missing on your to-do list.
Constitution Hill
This is where much of the painful history of the 20th century South Africa is hidden. The museum has the same purpose as the Apartheid Museum: here to the horrors of this painful age are exposed. And while there is one of the city’s most modern, beautiful buildings, the current court building (Constitutional Court). The complex is divided into four parts: the Woman’s Gaol, the Old Fort, Number 4 and the previously mentioned Constitutional Court.
Visit Soweto
Soweto stands for South Western Townships and, as the name suggests, is about 20 km southwest of downtown Johannesburg. This is not just the largest city in South Africa; It is also the best-known one. This is due, among other things, from the fact that much of the resistance against apartheid was organized and took place. For example, in 1976 the popular student uprisings took place (the Soweto Uprising), and Soweto, among other things, was the place where Nelson Mandela and Desmon Tutu once lived. Today, a large part of the township is still poor and underdeveloped, but at the same time Soweto begins to become a city, and it is great to see the enormous changes in infrastructure and business.
Hector Pieterson Museum (Soweto)
In Soweto, Hector is Pieterson Museum, a monument devoted to the previously mentioned Soweto Uprising on June 16, 1976. A protest in this area some years ago leads to a massacre. While the police talk about 23 deadly victims, the actual number of victims was far above 500.
Arts on Main Market, Maboneng Precinct
On Sundays, the same devices apply: skip breakfast and drive towards Maboneng Precinct, one of the ‘hippest’ districts of Johannesburg. In addition to (very) lots of good food and drink, trendy people and a good Sunday morning vibe, this market also has a separate space for art and design, hence the name. Do not forget to walk around the area: Maboneng Precinct is the city’s most vibrant neighborhood with its nice shops and hip cafes.
Carlton Center Roof of Africa
At the heart of Johannesburg, you will find the Carlton Center, a 223-meter building, which is still the tallest building on the African continent. This location is Impressive, especially if you consider that the original destination of the building – the Carlton Hotel – is no longer in use for years. In fact, the inside is out of fear of crackers almost completely sealed. Today, the building serves as a busy shopping mall (Carlton Mall), and there is an elevator that brings visitors to the 50th floor, providing 360-degree views of the city. Please note that the entrance to the elevator is not very easy to find: take the escalator down the ramp, walk towards the big music store and keep your eyes open to the ‘Roof of Africa’ logo that you cross the hallway On your left hand.
MOAD (Museum of African Design)
In the same area as for Sunday’s Market on Main, the MOAD museum is located – short for Museum of Africa Design. A beautiful view of Johannesburg’s: an impressive industrial building where the focus is entirely on contemporary African art, fashion, culture, and design. Here you will find work from a vibrant mix of African artists and thinkers. On Monday closed and good to know: on Thursdays the access is free.
Lion Park, Lanseria
Although not undisputed, the Lion Park is the big attraction for many tourists. Catch, hug and walk with lion cubs: that’s the core business of the park. But there is more because there are also giraffes, ostriches, and zebras, cheetahs, and hyenas. For those who cannot be near safari, this game park is a nice alternative. Driving in your car can, but you can also use the organized game drives including Rangers.
Liliesleaf Farm (Rivonia)
This overview shows how much history of South Africa, and especially apartheid, is to be found in Johannesburg today. An important place not to be missed is Liliesleaf Farm, located in Rivonia – now part of the (rich) suburb of Sandton. In the early 1960s, this farm was a secret meeting place for ANC anti-apartheid fighters, including Walter Sisulu, Bram Fischer, Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo and Govan Mbeki. In the farm, plans for the (armed) resistance against apartheid were forged before several leaders – including Mandela – were arrested on July 11, 1963. They were later convicted during the famous Rivonia Trial. Today, the farm is a museum that focuses on the lives of these leaders and fighters and regularly changing; special exhibitions can be seen.
Main Street Mining District
Johannesburg was formed in the 19th century by the grace of gold found in 1886. The nickname ‘City of Gold’ or the Zulu ‘eGoli’ is logically attributable to it, like the rapid expansion of the city. It was the beginning of the so-called Gold Rush, which made sure that within ten years, close to 100,000 people from all over South Africa (and surrounding areas) settled in Johannesburg. At the edges of the city, the mines still work hard and searched for gold. Main Street in the center once formed the heart of the mining industry, where the big companies settled. During a walk you will encounter different memories of that time, making this a special piece of Johannesburg.
Gold Reef City
Although a lot of people do not wait for a visit to a busy amusement park like Gold Reef City, this is especially for families with children a favorite place to spend half an afternoon. Especially the roller coaster, theaters, cinemas and the famous casino make it a modern day-to-day event. Overnight stays are also possible in the reasonably large Gold Reef City hotel.
