JOHANNESBURG

Johannesburg is an extraordinary city, born just over 125 years ago – when one of the world’s richest gold-bearing reefs was discovered under the sweeping savannah plains. Ever since, Joburg has been a city of prospects, commerce and potential, it’s a city populated by people who have come to realise their dreams.

Johannesburg is an extraordinary city, born just over 125 years ago – when one of the world’s richest gold-bearing reefs was discovered under the sweeping savannah plains. Ever since, Joburg has been a city of prospects, commerce and potential, it’s a city populated by people who have come to realise their dreams.

The area of Johannesburg began on a vast undulating grassy plain, interspersed with ridges and kopjes (small hills) in an area known as the Witwatersrand, named after the white water springs that coursed the land. It wasn’t until George Harrison, an Australian prospector, arrived here that the mineral wealth of the Witwatersrand became apparent. In 1886 Johannesburg was born. He would never have envisaged the significant world history that would unfold here in the province, place of gold.

Highlights:

• Mandela Bridge
• Sandton City
• Nelson Mandela House
• Newtown
• Diagonal Street

SOWETO

Soweto an acronym for “South Western Townships”. A cluster of townships sprawling across a vast area 20 kilometres south-west of Johannesburg. It was back in 1904 that Klipspruit, the old-est of a cluster of townships that constitute present day Soweto, was established. The township was created to house mainly black labourers, who worked in mines and other industries in the city, away from the city centre. The inner city was later to be reserved for white occupation as the policy of segregation took root. Soweto was, from the start, a product of segregationist planning.

Infused with the history of the struggle against apartheid and abuzz with the energy of the city of gold, Soweto is well worth visiting, whether on a day tour or for a longer period to experience the real Soweto. with heritage sites, restaurants, shebeens and budget accommodation options aplenty – a place of friendship, vibrancy and contrasts.

Highlights:

• Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
• Bragwanath Taxi Rank
• Freedom Square
• Hector Pietersen Memorial
• Nelson Mandela’s Former Residence