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| Johannesburg
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Province:
Gauteng City: Johannesburg One of the
world's most cosmopolitan cities, Johannesburg
is an interesting melting-pot of race and culture.
Its lively streets reflect the diversity of
people populating the city - Europeans, Americans
and Australians flocked here to seek their fortunes
during the gold rush of the late 19th century.
As the city expanded from a fledgling town to
a beating heart of prosperity, traders and entrepreneurs
from India, China, lapan and Eastern Europe
also laid down their roots, in recent years,
West, East and Central Africans have m^de their
home here, adding their own distinct stamp tc
the city's profile. The result is a city that
mirrors i.e. fantastic cultural mix of its inhabitants,
who have managed to retain their personal identities
as well as merge into a unified and unique whole
- AFROPOLITAN
Easily laying claim to the title of cultural
capital of South Africa, the city that truly
has it all boasts a variety of impressive options
for the visitor - exciting nightclubs for ever
taste, theatres - including the world- famous
Market Theatre in Newtown; and music venues
such as the legendary Kippies, where one can
jive to the rhythms of jazz maestros. Brimming
with quaint and delightful flea and craft martkets
from Rosebank Rooftop to vast Bruma Lake, the
array of uniquely South African creations on
offer in the city is endless.
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Possessing
its own symphony orchestra; Joburg is also fertile ground
for a diversity of other musical groups. These include
the highly popular Buskaid Soweto String Project, which
ensures that many underprivileged musicians become annual
world players in the international arena. Arts Alive
keeps it global with a September music festival that
sees local and international acts performing under African
skies. |
| Shopping |
Keep
your wallets ready and chequebooks poised in this shopper's
paradise. Whether it is large malls a la Sandton City,
more intimate shopping zones like Melville Village,
or a truly cultural shopping experience at The Oriental
Plaza Johannesburg has it all. From exquisite jewellery
and high-fashion designer clothes to cutting- edge local
style, your every wish can be fulfilled.
Famed for quality antiques, Parkhurst is a collector's
dream while Hyde Park Corner abounds with exclusive
boutiques, A key focus for traders from all around the
continent, Joburg gives the opportunity, at authentic
stores such as Art Africa, to browse through an array
of fascinating African artefacts and wonderful souvenirs.
Shop to your heart's content in relaxed environments
offering original as well as world-class consumer goods
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| The
Struggle Route |
It
is natural that Johannesburg, a city radiating the spirit
of Africa, which drew to itself such a diversity of
peoples, became the centre and focal point of South
Africa's political activity. Soweto - the city's satellite
township -was the focus of global attention during the
student protests of the 1970s.
However, long before that, the streets of Joburg were
alive with the sounds of marching feet, as those from
various walks of life and races stood up against the
unjust laws of the apartheid state bringing with it
the living museum for the struggle for democracy. From
the Hector Pieterson Museum, a shrine of reflection
dedicated to one of the first student victims of police
bullets, to Nelson Mandela's place of residence, Lilliesleaf
Farm, Kliptown, Freedom Square, the Apartheid Museum
and Constitution Hill, home to Mandela, Tutu and in
earlier years Gandhi, as well as many other struggle
leaders, there is so much to share in the historical
and political memories of a country reborn. Come and
experience the many legacies of a time in South Africa's
history that can never be forgotten. |
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| Townships |
Abuzz
with vivd social culture, Soweto simply must be visited,
as it represents and reflects joy and freedom, human
rights, justice and reconcilliation. Another township
must is Alexandra. Visit the Alexandra Cultural Village.
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| Activities |
Living
in a busy metropolis, 'Joburgers' escape the rat race
by embracing the city's year-round temperate weather.
Outdoor life is an essential part of living in Joburg.
The city and its surrounds offer a wealth of invigorating
leisure activities from nature trails, sparkling lakes
and boating on the Vaal Dam to exploring the beautiful
botanical gardens in Emmarentia and Roodepoort. Well-kept
parks are filled with a lush variety of indigenous and
imported plant life. Relax by jogging, strolling or
walking the dog through expanses of grassland in Delta
Park or exploring the rugged, unspoilt terrain of Melville
Koppies and Klipriviersburg Nature Reserve, and a newly
rehabilitated dam and park in Soweto, Moroka Dam. The
Johannesburg Zoo is renowned for being one of the best
and most informative in the world.
Daredevils may be thrilled with skydiving, while some
may opt to float far above the city, getting a bird's-eye
view from a hot-air balloon. Choose to get out, get
active and discover Joburg's delightful natural treasures.
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| Craft
Markets |
Experience
authentic Africa by browsing through the array of flea
markets and craft markets dotted around the city. Well-organised
and bursting with goods from all over the world, African
artefacts brought in by traders from North, East and
Central Africa feature strongly. Especially sought-after
are the imaginative handmade goods created by craftsmen
and women from the rural areas of the country. Rosebank
African Market and Bruma Lake offer an assortment of
these ethnic arts as well as elegant wrought-iron furniture,
hand-painted ceramics, fine jewellery, bed linen and
a diversity of foods to fill hungry stomachs. Michael
Mount Organic Market provides a selection of natural
foods, vegetables and homemade cakes. For hours of shopping
and fun-filled relaxation, stroll through Joburgs atmospheric
markets. |
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| Museums
& Galleries |
Fascinating
museums, both public and private, to suit every interest
are spread throughout Johannesburg. From the Military
Museum to the powerfully evocative Apartheid Museum,
cultural interests will be more than satisfied with
the wide variety of museums. The intriguing Museum Africa
in the Newtown Cultural Precinct showcases a series
of reconstructions of the city's history. Across the
way is the Worker's Museum - a must-see that revisits
the history of labourers who came from all comers of
the world to help build the thriving metropolis that
Joburg is today. Home to some of the best art galleries
in the world, a visit to Joburg would not be complete
without a visit to the many private galleries with world
class pieces on display and for sale, showing the multitude
of African talent in our midst |
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| Entertainment |
When
it comes to relaxing and enjoying time out, Joburg has
something for everyone. A city that loves to laugh.
Joburg Comedy nights provide chuckles courtesy of our
best performers - experience the talents of some of
South Africa's stars, or choose to chill to the beat
of Africa at the distinctly different Drum Cafe. Laid-back
evenings can be spent at the Cinema Nouveau, which screens
art films from around the globe. There is theatre galore
for those who love the thrill of the stage - catch a
play at the legendary Market Theatre or watch a thrilling
extravaganza of dance and cabaret at one of the city's
bigger venues. If gaming gets you going, pick from a
dazzling array of luxury casinos from the Roman-themed
Caesars Palace to the awesome Montecasino.
Kick back in an exhilarating city that works hard and
plays harder. With nightlife to rival the best international
cities, Joburg has a party vibe all of its own with
options to fit every budget and all tastes. Dance, trance.
Drum 'n Bass, R&B or classical - whatever melodies
move you, Joburg has them all. Listen to the soothing
sounds of live Jazz at the famed Bassline in Melville,
or get your groove on to the rhythms of house and township
Kwaito at one of the many nightclubs around town. Dress
up, see and be seen at trendy hotspots, with DJs playing
cutting-edge tunes. Take in a cocktail at an upmarket
bar or down a draught at a gritty watering hole like
The Jolly Roger. If rock is your thing, boogie down
at Roxy's to our thriving music industry's best bands.
Party until the early hours in a city vigorously alive
with distinct sights and sounds. |
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| Things
to Do |
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A
myriad of things to do awaits the Johannesburg visitor
or resident. The Lion Park offers the chance to pet
cubs while Gold Reef City is a trip back in time, reconstructing
The City of Gold at the turn of the Century. A tour
to Sun City with its impressive jungle-themed Lost City
is not to be missed, as is a game drive into the Pilansberg
Nature Reserve, which offers the exciting chance to
spot game in their natural habitat. Sterkfontein Heritage
site, or the Cradle of Humankind, where civilisation
is thought to have begun, are unusual adventures.
Stare into starry skies at The Planetarium. Add go-karting
for speed freaks, rowing on Zoo Lake and historic walking
tours to the lengthy list of what to do when out and
about in Joburg. |
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| Attractions |
Cradle
of Humankind A set of caves west of Johannesburg, where
many experts believe mankind's hominid ancestors first
appeared. Meet the famous "Mrs Ples" and the
amazing "Little Foot". Alexandra Established
in 1912, Alexandra is one of the earliest urban black
settlements in Jo'burg, predating even Soweto. It is
the site of a multi-million rand presidential development
initiative. See also Alexandra Renewal Project Botanic
Gardens One of South Africa's finest succulent collections,
in addition to wide open green spaces, sparkling dams,
roses, herbs, birds and trees galore. Monte Casino Bird
Gardens
A new attraction with some 200 species of birds and
over 1,500 species of small animals. A feature being
is the walk-in aviary containing 100 species of birds.
Touring Soweto
The Township whose name became synonymous with anti-apartheid
resistance. On one street, the Mandelas and the Tutus
once lived Moroka Dam, Thokoza Park and Klipspruit River
The upgrading of this water system, once a prime attraction
of Rockville, Soweto, is a R20-million mayoral showcase
project. The project has rekindled community spirit
among local residents. Brixton cemetery: host to history
Randlords, strike leaders, politicians, editors and
more lie shoulder-to-shoulder (almost) in this early
cemetery Kippies: Legendary jazz venue A Victorian loo
becomes a Newtown jazz club, host to some of South Africa's
great musicians Old Fort & Constitutional Hill.
The jail that held leading activists from Nelson Mandela
to Mahatma Gandhi is reborn as the constitutional court,
and as a musuem Kliptown The township where the famous
Freedom Charter was signed half a century ago, is to
have a huge heritage site at its centre Liliesleaf Farm
The farm where the ANC's underground leaders, including
Nelson Mandela, operated until their capture Enoch Sontonga
memorial
Resting place of the simple man who wrote what became
the national anthem Avalon's thousands of graveside
cots There aren't many places in the world where you
end up in a cot when you're dead and buried. But in
Avalon Cemetery in Soweto there are thousands of cots
demarcating graves. Museum of apartheid. A visit to
Johannesburg's new Apartheid Museum is a moving experience
-- you almost feel you were there among the toyi-toying
demonstrators facing down the police Mai-Mai: visit
a genuine African bazaar The city's oldest market, Mai-Mai,
transports the visitor into a fascinating world of indigenous
African clothing and curios. But the stars are the traditonal
healers with their "muti" or herbs Gandhi's
Johannesburg Mahatma Gandhi evolved his "satyagara"
philosophy of non-violent protest during a long and
colourful period when he lived in Johannesburg Ghostbuster
tour A bus tour takes visitors to sites of intriguing
murders in the city Hector Pieterson memorial The new
Hector Pieterson Museum in Orlando West, Soweto, is
being built in memory of the 566 people who died on
June 16, 1976 A trip down a mine shaft Take a trip down
an old Johannesburg gold mine -- which even boasts the
world's deepest pub Melville Koppies Step into unspoilt
Melville Koppies, and you'll forget that you're in the
middle of a bustling metropolis Joburg, 250 000 years
ago In the hills of Klipriviersberg, in Jo'burg's south,
archeologists find evidence of human activities 250
000 years back |
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| Activities |
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| Adventure
Golf
Spare yourself the frustration of
searching for your golf ball in the rough of one of
Johannesburg's world-famous golf courses. Adventure
Golf offers a challenge, but won' punish you so harshly
for wayward shots. Three different nine-hole courses
present a series of interesting and fun-filled tests.
Antiques and Collectors Fair Sunnyside Park Hotel, Parktown.
Open last Sunday of every month If you enjoy browsing
for a bargain or picking up truly unusual gifts, make
a note to keep the last Sunday of the month open. The
Antiques and Collectors Fair at the Sunnyside Park Hotel
features books, carpets, silver, jewellery, porcelain
and other collectibles. Bass Lake 4x4 Adventures, where
the greatest challenge the vehicles are likely to face
is negotiating the rush hour traffic. At Bass Lake you
get to put your vehicle to the test - or hire a 4x4
for the day and put in some practice. Learn how to climb
steep slopes, master descents and negotiate rock beds
and mud slides. It's adrenaline-pumping action - once
you've finished the course you'll have learnt as much
about yourself as your vehicle. Bill Harrop's Balloon
Safaris. Flights daily at sunrise, weather permitting
Minimum of three passengers at R1 150 per person Imagine
looking down on the world while sipping champagne and
drifting with the wind. Bill Harrop's Balloon Safaris
offer a unique perspective on Johannesburg, floating
through the sky above the spectacular Magalies River
Valley and Hartebeespoort Dam. The ride ends with a
champagne breakfast at Riverside Country Base.
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We
offer many different tours from Johannesburg: |
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