why joburg.com

But why Jo'burg?

^{Kids in Soweto using the 'wire sculpture' street art - titled "Student Confrontation",
by artist Stone Mabunda, as a jungle gym!}

It's also a cerebral city.
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 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?)

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 explore.

^{The beautiful Orient Hotel in Fordsburg, a suburb of Asian and middle-eastern residents with
numerous interesting eateries and restaurants.}

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.

Whether you're planning that trip (or just want to learn more about the city), this website is the only reference you'll need.

With no commercial interest, it's as good as being shown around by your very own tour guide.

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.

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.

But ... no distinguishing natural icons to explore.

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 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!

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!