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Johannesburg |
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Johannesburg
You’ll hear Johannesburg called many names, including Jo’burg, Jozi, and the Zulu moniker eGoli. That’s probably because the city has been many things in its short history, starting as a gold-rush town and devolving into a segregated nightmare before reinventing itself as the diverse, sophisticated city it is today.
Activities and Attractions:
Though it’s as far from luxurious you can imagine, a guided tour of the township of Soweto is highly recommended. It’s the best way to begin to understand how apartheid shaped South Africa, and what’s being done to repair the social fabric.
Visitors are pleasantly surprised to find that although the tin shacks still exist, the government is starting to provide houses for many residents, and there are real signs of healing. Tours typically include Nelson Mandela’s former home, the square where the ANC Freedom Charter was announced in 1956, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, commemorating a 1976 incident of police brutality.
But enough of Johannesburg’s past. Experience the city as it is today. Visit the Johannesburg Art Gallery, one of the first to give black artists their due. Treat yourself to a meal at one of the city’s acclaimed restaurants, where local chefs have created a new South African cuisine incorporating exotic game such as crocodile and springbok.
Browse the boutiques of Rosebank, where you can shop for everything from cutting-edge Jo’burg fashion to the latest music coming out of Soweto. Then pause for pastry at an elegant Norwood café and reflect on how far Johannesburg has come in such a short period of time.
Insider Tip:
Taxis don’t usually cruise the streets in Johannesburg, so it’s best to call when you need one. In a city with a real crime problem, it’s safest to minimize your standing-idly-on-the-street time anyway.
-Exclusively for Perfect Escapes by Nicole Clausing |
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