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Guide to Johannesburg, South Africa
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Johannesburg
The largest and most influential city in South Africa, Johannesburg is brought together by the people and their history. Though it is still somewhat unstable after the breakdown of apartheid, the energy and diversity of the city will impress you as long as you keep your wits about you.
Despite its growth and increasing wealth, Johannesburg is still true to its roots and proud of its fight against oppression - evident from the many museums documenting the citys history. Visit this city of contrasts, and youll see the real South Africa.
How To Get There
Johannesburg International Airport is a domestic and international hub. Flight time from London is around eleven hours.
Travelling Around
Getting around the city is easy, but always keep safety in mind. We recommend taking a taxi whenever possible youll soon get to know the Johannesburg taxi hand signals! Metropolitan buses are fine for downtown but can be dangerous in the outer boroughs of the city. You can purchase a multiple-ride tags which are really handy. For sight-seeing along the way, get aboard an open top City Slicker bus.
When To Go
We suggest avoiding summers in Johannesburg simply because its so hot and humid, and is peak season for tourists. Spring and autumn bring milder weather - beautiful sunshine and cool breezes.
What To See
The Apartheid Museum may not be an uplifting place to visit, but its exhibits will help you understand and appreciate the history of South Africa. The visual and audio displays tell the story of a people who fought to rid themselves of the regime that plagued their country.
Museum Africa is housed in an old fruit market. Highlights include the exhibits called Treason Trials and Transformation. Both document the countrys historic events and how the city evolved. You can also take a mock descent into gold-mines. Bensusan Museum of Photography is located in annex of the museum where youll find the work of famous African photographers.
Learn more about Johannesburgs history at Constitution Hill, one of the citys main tourist attractions - once a notorious prison. Visitors can see parts of the Old Fort including the Awaiting Trial Block, which held Mandelas treason trialists of 1956.
The SAB World of Beer is a must for beer lovers. Discover the secrets of South Africas rich brewing history, and sample the local ale on the guided ninety minute tour.
To find out more about the gold rush that boosted Joburgs economy, check out Gold Reef City in the southern suburbs. This is more theme park than museum, and the emphasis is on fun more than serious learning but its a great place for kids. It has rip-roaring rides, a Victorian fun fair and reconstructions of a bank, a brewery, a pub and a newspaper office. Theres also a 220m shaft which visitors can descend for a glimpse inside a gold mine. Also great for a family day trip is the Johannesburg Zoo and the Planetarium.
Hotspot
Take a break from street level sightseeing at the Top of Africa observation deck in the Carlton Centre. Located on the fiftieth floor of Africas tallest building, the deck provides incredible views of the metropolis sprawling below. Admire the vista while lunching at the Marung restaurant. On clear days you can see Pretoria thirty miles away.
Night Life
Johannesburg is the party capital of South Africa, and is bursting with pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants. The music scene is varied. Everything from rock, jungle and jazz to kwaito and techno is played here. If its a party youre looking for, youll find it. On the other hand, if youd rather chill out with a good meal and a glass of wine, you wont be disappointed.
fast facts
- Johannesburg is South Africas largest and most populous city
- the citys nicknames include Jo'burg, Joeys, City of Gold, eGoli, Jozi, JHB and Joni
- Johannesburg is home to the tallest office block in Africa, the 50-storey Carlton Centre
- there are around six million trees in the city - almost two per person
- major industries in Johannesburg are machine building, metalworking, oil refining, publishing and brewing
- one the oldest human skeletons ever discovered was found in a cave in Johannesburg
Quick HistoryThe Johannesburg region was sparsely populated with native Bantu people and European settlers up until the 1880s. Then gold was discovered, leading to mass migration to the area.Johannesburg was initially a suburb of Pretoria, and a typical gold rush town. Tensions between British and Boer settlers led to the Second Boer War which was won by the British. It isnt clear where the name Johannesburg comes from. There are several candidates among the local politicians and dignitaries around at the time.Apartheid was brought in by the government to segregate white people from non-whites. This led to the establishment of shanty townships such as Soweto where Nelson Mandela lived for many years.Violence and unrest caused by the apartheid regime continued until 1990. The black townships became part of the municipality, and discriminatory laws were ended. Crime is still common in certain areas, but the Johannesburg Metropolitan Council is working to regenerate the inner city.
Lingo
South Africa has eight official languages, including Xhosa, Zulu and Afrikaans and English.
Money
One South African Rand is worth around 75p. Up-to-date exchange rates can be found on a currency converter.
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