why joburg.com
Johannesburg City Travel Guide
Your Guide To The Real Johannesburg
Johannesburg, Second Greatest City after Paris* ..... it's true, but I'll get onto that later!
But why Jo'burg?
Setting a trend in a Maboneng restaurant in the hip new enclave of Maboneng, on the
eastern periphery of inner-city Johannesburg!
Well . . . it is South Africa's most African, and the continents most cosmopoltan city.
Warm, friendly people abound; it has beautiful open spaces; a really good night life as well as an abundance of great restaurants.
It's a fun city . . . but, it's also a cerebral city.
Thumbs up for Jo'burg inner city!
'In Your Pocket' city guide series from Europe, is expanding into Africa for the first time, with the publication of a brand new Johannesburg 'In Your Pocket' city guide planned for February 2014.
The inner city will be included as one of 10 neighbourhoods from around the world that "have been completely revamped into coveted places to live, work and play".
As I've been saying for a long time . . . Africa's number one business and tourism centre, is on the rise!
The surrounding area has, along with East Africa, the world's longest recorded human activity.
From Astralopithecus africanus inhabitants, the recently discovered Astralopithecus sediba, through Homo sapiens sapiens to Early Stone Age hunter-gatherers and finally Iron Age settlements - they've all been here, done it and earned the 'T' shirt (or should that be leopard skin?)
Despite it only being declared a city on 5th September 1928, (having been 'founded' in September 1886), there are eons of significant history to explore.
The beautiful Orient Hotel in Fordsburg, a suburb of Asian and middle-eastern residents with
numerous interesting eateries and restaurants.
Built on the world's largest gold deposit, it's a city that has been designed as no more than a temporary mining camp.
It's also a city that was at the forefront of the struggle against Apartheid.
This rich cultural history, results in a number of fantastic museums and monuments to discover.
Kids in Soweto using the 'wire sculpture' street art - titled "Student Confrontation",
by artist Stone Mabunda, as a jungle gym!
I've lived here since birth, and as I've explored it more than most, I've created this website that I've based on personal experience, to help you get the most out of your visit to a vibrant, exciting city.
With no commercial interest, it's as good as being shown around by your very own tour guide.
The entrance to Johannesburg's Chinatown in Derrick Avenue, Cyrildene.
Derrick Avenue has a number of authentic Chinese supermarkets and restaurants
Johannesburg is not the bland nightmare that uninformed opinions in distant lands might try to, or might well have, convinced you of.
Those innumerable critics, some of whom I'm sure have never set foot here, and others who live here, but all consider themselves experts on 'how little the city has to offer' or 'how dangerous a city it is'!
You know those I'm talking about!
It's unfortunately partly true.
The old buildings of Johannesburg reflected in the newer ones, off Diagonal Street.
There is crime in certain areas.
Levels that are unacceptable in a civilised society.
And it is the world's largest city not on a waterway, despite 12 river systems - better described as streams, that run throughout the city.
So ... no distinguishing natural icons to explore.
A Johannesburg icon, a gold "mine dump", being recycled
But . . . when living here, it's people that form an integral part of our existence, and outsiders are often quick to comment on how warm the people in this city actually are.
That is because people is all we have, and in a nutshell, the city has nothing to offer but itself!
Sandton, a Johannesburg suburb, rising above the world's largest man-made urban forest
It's only during the last 100 plus years that the African powerhouse I know as home has been built into Africa's only World City.
Tempted?
You should be!
Start with these attractions to get a better understanding
of what made Jo'burg the city it is!
Johannesburg today is a great melting pot of both history and culture, and you're likely to discover a huge, yummy dollop of Africa!
The final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, between Spain and the Netherlands, took place at Soccer City in Johannesburg
I'll be adding to this website on an ongoing basis, and intend including everything from Jozi's distant past of ancient history up to what's happening here this week.
Welcome to my home - Johannesburg, Jo'burg, Jozi, Egoli, Joni or Joeys!
Whilst every attempt will be made to keep the information on this website relevant and up to date, we accept no responsibility for consequences arising from errors or omissions.
* William Kentridge, the internationally acclaimed artist - born and bred in the city, produced his first animated Movie, "Johannesburg, 2nd Greatest City After Paris", in 1989, as part of a series called Drawings for Projection.
Page uploaded : 4th May 2011
Page updated : 5th December 2013
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