City Guides - Johannesburg
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The more than 10-million inhabitants live fast and have a restless spirit, which they have imparted into the fabric of the city, also known by its African name as Egoli, 'the place of gold'. The development of the city, which is just over a century old, has followed the fortunes of the Witwatersrand (White Water Reef), the rich gold-bearing rock reef that stretches across this area of central South Africa. The initial gold rush started in the 1880s, and barely ten years later Johannesburg had become South Africa's largest town and the site of frenzied development that has been ongoing ever since.
Johannesburg today is a city of contrasts, with glass-paned modern luxury high-rise buildings towering beside a few remaining dilapidated Victorian buildings, and affluent northern suburbs filled with stunning private homes giving way to the squalid streets and tiny shoebox houses of the massive Soweto township in the south. The chasm between rich and poor in the city has given rise to a high crime rate, evidenced by the fortress-like security that pervades the wealthier suburbs.
Most visitors to South Africa, particularly those intent on exploring the game reserves of Mpumalanga, arrive at Johannesburg's busy International Airport, which is the main point of entry for the country. There is little in Johannesburg itself to grab the attention of tourists, but a few days can be filled taking in some entertaining man-made attractions before heading off to the game parks of the northeast or the coastal regions. The most interesting diversion in Johannesburg is undoubtedly a 'Heritage Route' or 'Shebeen Crawl' tour of Soweto, but take care only to venture into the maze of the township with an organised tour or professional guide.
Getting around: Johannesburg is a sprawling city and the lack of
convenient and safe public transport is often an obstacle to
visitors. City transport consists of an unreliable bus network and
a series of minibus taxi routes, neither of which operate much
after dark. The main bus terminus is at Ghandi Square in the city
centre where there are timetables and route maps, but times are
rarely accurate; alternatively a City Slicker sightseeing bus
provides hop-on hop-off tours around the city in open-topped buses.
The quickest and cheapest way to get around is on a minibus 'taxi',
an informal bus service that goes everywhere but has no schedule or
formal stops and can be picked up at taxi ranks or hailed anywhere
along its route. However, dangerous driving, overcrowding and high
crime rates at taxi ranks have deterred many from using them as a
means of transport. If necessary use them for short hops only and
never with baggage. Safer but far more expensive are metered taxis,
which need to be booked in advance. The best way to get around is
by private car and there is an excellent network of highways and
well-maintained roads. There are a number of car rental agencies
that require drivers to be over 23 years old and hold a full
driving license. A passport and credit card are also necessary.
Drivers should keep their windows up and doors locked at all times,
never leave anything visible in a parked car, and never stop for
hitchhikers. Be aware that there is a risk of car hijacking so
remain alert, especially when leaving or returning to the car, and
seek out secure parking.
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