Johannesburg Egoli: the “city of gold”

Experience Johannesburg, South Africa – a city of gold, vibrant culture, and diversity, a bustling metropolis with economic power throughout the continent.

• Apartheid Museum
• Maboneng Precinct
• Maboneng Precinct
• Constitutional Hill
• Hector Pieterson Memorial
• Soweto, such as Vilakasi Street and Mandela’s House
• Cullinan Diamond Mine

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Why you should visit central Jo’burg

Johannesburg was established in 1886, due to the discovery of gold and thousands started to come to seek their fortune.

“The desire for gold is not for gold. It is for the means of freedom and benefit.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Try to visit during the holiday season! The residents of the city disperse out to the seaside cities for their holidays, so the roads, restaurants, and hotels are lovely and quiet! The trees enchant you as their splendor is everywhere! I suggest going to Maboneng, to view the vibrant, hip urban community, with numerous street art and the Apartheid Museum, Constitutional Hill, and Soweto, with a recommended private tour operator.

Johannesburg is the main business hub of South Africa. Also one has to be sensible, especially as a senior, not to place yourself as a soft target in certain areas. Stay outside the city center and venture to marvelous places that can give you a fabulous outing!

Johannesburg the “city of gold” has the best weather conditions in South Africa! Agreeable, pleasantly warm weather in summer, often with an afternoon thundershower to cool down the temperatures. Winter chilly dry months, but gorgeous sunny days.

Apartheid Museum

“For most of my writing life, I’ve refused to allow myself to believe that writing was a significant form of action. I always felt very uneasy about the fact that all I did was write in a situation as desperate as apartheid South Africa. Whether I was correct or not is a different issue.”

Athol Fugard

I like the way Wikipedia describes Apartheid very simply. “Apartheid was a political and social system in South Africa during the era of White minority rule. It enforced racial discrimination against non-Whites, mainly focused on skin color and facial features. … The word apartheid means “distantiation” in the Afrikaans language.“

Apartheid existed for 50 years in South Africa. The museum illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid showing that apartheid was regarded as a law in South Africa. The National Party from 1948 to 1994, enforced these laws of segregation, enforcing that citizens were classified by their race and if not European, were regarded as non-white.

It is also so important to see, to understand South Africa after 1994 when the ANC under Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, became the first black head of state. The book APARTHEID: A History of Apartheid by Anna Revell will give you a further understanding before going to the museum. I do believe it is the first place you should visit, prior to visiting other historical destinations. It will open your eyes and give you a further understanding of the people of South Africa.

Maboneng – “place of light” Precinct

This precinct has brought back life to the city. I am an art lover of many forms of appreciation and love the way Maboneng has incorporated the cultural scene of street art, galleries, matchless cafes, and unalike shops into the area. Exposing an artist paradise at the Chalkboard Cafe, you will often see the creator, performer, singer, and musician hanging out together.

Shopping is also a contradistinctive ambiance. David Krut Publications offers a unique selection of books. Arts on Main, a Sunday market I regard as one of the best in Johannesburg. My son and his band, The Motherland, used to play there on the weekends, so you will be able to view artists’ studios, galleries, and workshops. Numerous chilled eateries can also be enjoyed.

Constitutional Hill

South Africa today is in a state of freedom. Constitutional Hill museum with its rich informative history, allows you to go back in time journeying through the last 100 years when thousands of South Africans of all colors were imprisoned here. Men, women, and even children. Four different locations are exhibited.

The Number Four Jail or the “native jail” was only for nonwhite males and imprisoned iconic personalities such as Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo, and Mahatma Gandhi spent a period of time there. Brutal forms of punishment were not spared on the prisoners by the megalomaniac warders.

Videos and barbaric instruments were used and exhibited. Proliferative prison gangs arose in the overcrowded, disease-filled Number Four. The rationing of food was common, with the black prisoners receiving the least. Number Five Jail was for long-term prisoners. Below shows you the sleeping arrangement at Number Four Jail.

President Paul Kruger built the Old Fort was built in 1893, where white males were housed in a prison that was overcrowded, and unhygienic certain brutal punishments were applied, but not as horrific as the Number Four Jail. Did you know Nelson Mandela was housed in the “whites” prison twice? Why because he was too much of an influence on the black prisoners.

The Women’s Jail, now a pretty picture on the outside, misleads you prior to going in. The abuse and brutality that occurred were horrific and here black and white prisoners were housed together. The prisoners had to fight to get “panties” and sanitary towels, which eventually they did receive. Activists such as Winnie Mandela, Barbara Hogan, Fatima Meer, and Albertina Sisulu were imprisoned in this cage. What these women fought for, with so much courage, and dignity astounds me!

Number 4: The Making of Constitution Hill is a good read, but I feel not sufficient books have been written on this prison. The museum gives you a deep understanding of the years within, but I know many stories have still not been told.

Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum

On 16 June 1976, (which is now a public holiday in South Africa – called Youth Day) over 20000 black students took part in a march against the directive by the Bantu Education Act that Afrikaans had to be taught on an equal basis with English in the secondary black-only schools.

The museum is a symbol of merciless, ruthless killings of youth by the police on this day. In 1953 the Apartheid government introduced the Bantu Education Act. This segregated black schools from white schools and the black schools were given lower funds, fewer teachers, lower education, and no electricity and water in the schools.

Hector Pieterson was a 13-year-old boy who was shot during the uprising and the memorial is symbolic of all the 176 (estimated 700 kids) who were killed and +1000 who were injured. The Road to Soweto: Resistance and the Uprising of 16 June 1976 by Julian Brown is the recommended book to read.

Soweto the “South Western Township”

Soweto originated in the 1930s, revealing a cluster of townships. More blacks were moved here in the 1950s by the apartheid government because of their segregation policies. No black could live amongst the whites in the city. A river, highway, railway track, or industrial area created a sanitary corridor (Condon-Sanitaire) and created a divide between white areas and black areas. They enforced this by using the then “Urban Areas Act” law which was established in 1923.

Until 1976 the residents were only allowed to be temporary residents. Thousands flocked to Soweto, to work in the gold mines and to get employment.

I have a love for Soweto, as the vibrancy, history, art, and culture tell the story!

13 reasons to visit Soweto

• has a population of over a million
• a mixture landscape of wealthy homes and a large percentage of matchbox tin shacks
• the most popular language spoken is isiZulu, the Sesotho
• a very low percentage of whites, coloreds, and Indian/Asian live in Soweto
• biggest metropolitan township in South Africa
• leaders in trends, language, music, dance, and politics in the black culture
• Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is the largest on the continent
• numerous prominent figures have come from Soweto, such as singing legend Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Baby Jake Matlala who was the only South African boxer to have won four world titles
• Vilikazi Street – home to Mandela and Winnie’s first house before he was imprisoned for 27 years, in 1961. Emeritus Desmond Tutu also had a home here. Graffiti art and the Vilikazi Curio shop are also great tourist attractions
• numerous popular tourist shebeens
• the two Orlando Towers are a prominent feature. used by adventure nature individuals who enjoy bungee jumping, zip-lining, abseiling, and other extreme sports. Karabo Poppy Moletsane, an inspiring 25-year-old, painted the towers.
• Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Moroka Swallows all arose from the township
• National Stadium (known as Soccer City or The Calabash or FNB Stadium) is the predominant soccer and rugby tourist delight

Gautrain – move the fast way from Oliver Tambo International Airport

Need to get to Rosebank or Sandton with your luggage? Why not go on the Gautrain? Easy to catch at ORT Airport. It will take you 42 minutes to Rosebank station and 26 minutes to Sandton Station. Once at your station, either in Rosebank or Sandton, there is a Gautrain bus that will take you to your accommodation.

Have a look at the map and see where the buses go. It is a minimum amount for the bus. Or get your hotel to fetch you from the station. Another choice is to catch an Uber. As an occasional traveler, get a Pay-As-You-Go card. The only other time you will be using the train, will be when you are going home. I suggest you go onto the Gautrain website to view the scheduled times.

Best Reasons to visit Rosebank & Sandton

Rosebank Art Galleries & Eccentric Shopping

Rosebank has a novel vibe all of its own! The wealthy set, arty, flamboyant yet modest, trendiest individuals seem to flock to the scene. Go try out the cafes, and restaurants and enjoy the personality that Rosebank can only bring.

This is the area of the Johannesburg Art Gallery capital. If you appreciate art in a quality form, Everard Read Gallery has always been my favorite. In 2013 it celebrated its hundredth anniversary. If you know of any famous South African artists, they would have exhibited here. Go on their website and see what exhibition is been displayed at the time of your arrival. Another one that is dear to me is the Goodman Gallery, which is an international contemporary art gallery. They are also based in Cape Town and London.

Many people flock to Rosebank just to SHOP! Rosebank Mall has a European atmosphere, both in design and retail, and will offer you a world-class encounter, with a unique entrance that is inviting and welcoming. Numerous international visitors meander around the mall, shop at the men’s or women’s classy stores, have a Bonne bouche meal, or go to a movie at the Cinema Nouveau. There are two markets in the mall. The Rosebank Sunday Market, which is open every Sunday, and the Rosebank Art & Craft Market, is open daily.

The Zone which is next to the Rosebank Mall offers an upbeat multicultural ambiance. The fashion is more way out and you will see young people gathering in small groups, chilled and relaxed. It is a mix of retail, hotel, and office space, also comprising 5 separate buildings, The Zone, Regents Place, The Zone Phase 2, The Zone Boulevard, and Cradock Square. When I am with my daughter, we both love to go to The Zone. It has a feeling of youthfulness.

The Firs Signature Shopping is as it sounds. Elite retail and restaurants close to upmarket hotels in Rosebank. Many tourists who would like a quiet atmosphere venture to The Firs.

Sandton the wealthiest “well-to-do” area of Johannesburg

Affluence, class, and style exude from the metro of Johannesburg. Magnificent homes, office blocks, and hotels tell you the story as you approach. The skyline of Sandton central protrudes the skyline and can be viewed at a distance from any angle.

Sandton City and Mandela Square Shopping Centre you need to visit when in Jozi. It is world-class with over 300 retail outlets and adeptness in chic and elegance. Fine dining, family, fast food court, brasserie and bistro, health, or whatever the appetite demands, you will find. A kids’ cinema, 3D cinemas with VIP lounges, and movies to suit every election.

Nelson Mandela Square, which adjoins Sandton City, brings to mind a traditional European town square. The tourists and locals love this area!

If you love to dine, this is the dining capital in Sandton. Restaurants are everywhere! Theatre on the Square has produced over 1600 productions. They have received numerous awards for theatre excellence. An extremely classy and elegant hotel, The Michaelangelo adjoins the Square.

Montecasino in Fourways, Sandton, is the top entertainment center! What I personally love about Monte is the Italian architecture and inside you feel as if you are walking down a street in Tuscany. Shops and restaurants continue with the European vibe, with cobbled streets taking you to movie houses, the fabulous casino, and the two world-class theatres, The Teatro (one of the 10 largest Lyric theatres in the world) and Pieter Toerien Theatre. When you visit, go and experience production. The Montecasino boasts of the top Best Ladies Night Venue. Montecasino is safe with security all over watching out for you.

The casino has two gambling areas. One for non-smokers and one for smokers. There are over 1700 slot machines and more than 80 tables. For those of you who would like to be out of the hustle of crowds, there is a private gaming experience, Montecasino Salon Privé, where the minimum bets range from R100 to R1000.

The Bird & Wildlife Park at Montecasino is a charming way to spend a couple of hours. And if you are a bird watcher, this can be enthralling.

At the bird park, you will view a huge variety of birds and small animals as you walk through the aviary. Over 60 different species. Watch an entertaining show performed with the trained birds. Relaxing walks as you meander through a smallish restaurant to delight in that cappuccino or cool drink after your wandering.

Suggested Hotels to Stay at around Sandton & Rosebank

“Customers may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel”.

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Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff

This hotel is one of my favorites. Not always do I like the feel of being in a busy environment and The Westcliff most certainly gives you the impression that you are in a different village. There are nine distinctive villas and they have gardens, courtyards, water features, and fountains, exuding tranquility.

The decor in the rooms has a touch of Africa and is charming! To assist with privacy, you have your own private balcony allowing in the evenings, to gaze out over the trees and capture the sunset as the day comes to an end. The dining encounter is an experience that you will remember.

In the Flame Restaurant, you can dine inside or out, but of course, the most popular is outside overlooking the trees of Jo’burg.

“Never risk what you can’t afford to lose, and you can never, ever compromise your trust, because once you lose that you can never get it back. It will take a lifetime to build and minutes to lose.”

Isadore Sharp/ Founder of Four Seasons

The Winston Hotel in Rosebank – a destination within a destination

Whenever I have had overseas buyers, clients or family come over to South Africa and they want to be close to Rosebank or Sandton and want to be in a smaller more personal hotel, this is one of the 5-star boutique hotels I suggest. Just love it!

After a day out, when all you want to do is relax, the 15 m pool is divine to either just chill in or swim a few lengths. Being a boutique hotel, I feel quite comfortable relaxing in one of the lounges and reading my book.

The library offers books, newspapers, and magazines, so to curl up and just read in the perfect unbundled environment is just right! The Wi-Fi is strong, so for me to work in the lounge with the very attentive waiters serving me is fabulous.

The rooms are beautiful and surprisingly very quiet. The breakfasts are just the best and even though the dinner menu is set for that evening, the chef is always prepared to tailor prepare a favorite dish. Locals love the restaurant and regularly come for dinner!

The Winston is very close to the Gautrain station so whether you want to journey back to Oliver Tambo International airport or pop down to Sandton City, it is right there. Also, it is within walking distance of the Rosebank Mall.

Premier Hotel Quatermain is a home away from home

The Premier opened in 2000 and expanded in 2007. The decor is very British and the feel is that of a distinguished English home in the country. For breakfast, you can treat yourself to either a Continental or English breakfast, and for lunch and dinner a la carte.

You can choose what type of room you would like. A Standard Room, which is extremely comfortable with an en-suite bathroom with a shower and bath, a Superior Room, the Executive Room, Deluxe Room, and the Suite. My comfort is the Superior Room as I love balconies!

 “Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines.”

Henri Nouwen

Michelangelo Hotel overlooking Mandela Square

Don’t get muddled between the Michelangelo Hotel and the Michelangelo Towers. Both are exquisite, but my preference goes for the hotel. The Towers I find it too close to the Sandton Convention Centre and rather public. It can get too noisy for me.

Often seniors when they come to Sandton, Johannesburg, are here for only a few days, so want to be in the middle of things. Close and within walking distance to shops, cinemas, and restaurants. Michelangelo gives you easy access, at the same time offering you your privacy when required.

It has all the luxurious elements, including an indoor pool, spa, and fitness center with a steam room and sauna. Both the hotel and the towers are part of Legacy Hotels. The hotel has incredible security, is a 5-star hotel and it often hosts top dignitaries, so you receive the benefit. The rooms have all the modern opulent facilities, so your comfort is guaranteed.

“Legacy Hotels is the leading owner, manager and developer of luxury hotels, game lodges and residences in Africa. Once you have stayed at a Legacy Hotel, you will know, that with us, it’s personal.“

Elizabeth Manor the Guest House Choice

Over numerous years of traveling, I do not always want to go to a hotel, however upmarket it may be. Sometimes I just need to feel a bit of “home”, but still with my necessary lavishness. Elizabeth Manor gives you the impression that you belong and you are not imposing on anyone’s privacy. Based very close to Sandton City, once there you feel you are elsewhere not close to the most prestigious shopping malls in South Africa.

Comfort in your room and lounge! Walk around barefoot if need be, as you would at home. Take a relaxing swim in the sparkling pool and chill out on one of the two sundecks. You can either have a room with a king-size bed or one with twin-size beds.

They all have a bathroom en-suite with both a shower and bath, fully equipped. The fridge and coffee and tea supply are catered for so you can keep your own delicacies that you enjoy in your room. If you are staying longer than two nights, I suggest you book a self-catering unit. Here you have a fully equipped kitchen and a little lounge. Doors that lead out into to gorgeous garden. On all the units you have your own private entrance.

There is a small restaurant where you can devour the best meal of the day, which is fabulously prepared, breakfast! Lunch and tea are also provided. Dinner you need to request.

Other articles which may interest you if you are looking at coming to South Africa, especially Johannesburg:

• South Africa
• Stay-NW of Johannesburg
• Unusual Stays in South Africa

“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey.”– Babs Hoffman

Are you looking at coming to South Africa and wanting to stay in Johannesburg? Have you been before? Let us know your experience in the comments section below.