Johannesburg General Tips

by Jenniflower
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Map of South Africa

South Africa is made up of 9 provinces, some small, some large, with the 2 small countries of Swaziland and Lesotho landlocked within it's borders.

The smallest province, Gauteng, is the most productive of all provinces in South Africa.


	Why do we love visiting Joburg?	Tip Rating:

Updated By Jenniflower

on July 1, 2007

by Jenniflower, 4 more photos
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Many people don't have much good to say about Johannesburg.

They hear all the bad press, always compare its beauty to Cape Town's (which is hardly fair, as Cape Town is one of the most beautiful places in the world, so hardly a comparison!).

But there is a lot to do here, with family and elsewhere. And Johannesburg, with it's minedumps and lush gardens, rolling hills and lakes, has so much to offer too.

We enjoy spending time with family, we also enjoy going to botanical gardens, game parks, going out for dinner (Johannesburg has some awesome restaurants!).

The people are generally friendly and welcoming.

When I have been away for a while, it's only when I chat to the passport controller at Oliver Thambo International (used to be Johannesburg International), that I say 'I am home'.


	Family life	Tip Rating:

Updated By Jenniflower

on July 1, 2007

by Jenniflower, 4 more photos
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Growing up in Johannesburg was lovely.

Though living in a single-parent home, we had all our needs taken care of, were (and still are) a very close family, and have a fabulous mother who brought us up.

We used to spend a lot of time at home, or at friends or other family homes. That's something I love about South Africa, the hospitality

Things are more family-focussed and -centred. Material possessions are not important, family is. (Of course, not all family's are like this, ours was/is though).

Afternoons were spent splashing in the swimming pool or playing rounders in the garden, making forts in the dining room under the dining room table, and 'camping' in the garden (never mind the parktown prawns!). Playing on the foofy slide on the lawn or trying to play cricket.

Wouldn't change it for anything :)
Thanks ma x


	Outdoor lifestyle	Tip Rating:

Updated By Jenniflower

on July 1, 2007

by Jenniflower, 4 more photos
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As mentioned in the tip above, when growing up we played outside a lot.

There was more attention on you occupying yourself, than being entertained (which many kids are nowadays, with plaustation, DVDs etc.).

Anything to do with the pool, sand and grass was good enough for the afternoon :)

My little niece in the photo also loves the outdoors.. playing in her little sandpit, and pool next to it.

Due to the weather being so outside-friendly, the lifestyle in South Africa is generally a lot more outside-orientated.

Braais (BBQs) and pool parties are the order of the day :)


	South African people	Tip Rating:

By crazyguitar

on October 29, 2002

by crazyguitar
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Having a beer with locals

Be in touch with natives, it´s plenty of lovely people. Try to learn all you can about their culture and way of life. There is a great mixture of cultures!

Lots of people pictures in my travelogues.


	Meaning of the flag	Tip Rating:

By crazyguitar

on September 20, 2002

by crazyguitar
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This is just a curiosity:
The colurs of the flag have specific symbols: Red - the blood spilt in the struggle; Green - the land; Blue - the oceans; Gold - the mineral wealth; Black - the non-white people; White - the white people.


	World Summit 2002	Tip Rating:

Updated By crazyguitar

on September 19, 2002

by crazyguitar
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Crazyguitar: the next world
president

United Nations World Summit 2002 was held in Jo´burg during my stay. I´ve been there for almost 7 weeks, it means I was there before, during and after the event.
At the beginning I knew the real Johannesburg living there just with the natives, it was great. During the summit the city changed, the best point was to meet and share experiences with people from all over the world, it was a real multicultural metropolis. It was interesting to see everyday different protesting groups, from oppressed Tibetans to anti-globalization militants.
When the event finished the city returned to the normality.


	Pay a visit to Soweto. It is...	Tip Rating:

By Gypsy_Saskia

on September 8, 2002

by Gypsy_Saskia
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Pay a visit to Soweto. It is very impressive, especially the 16th of June Children's Monument. You should do it on a tour, it is not such a good place to visit on your own.


	Spend a weekend in Sun City...	Tip Rating:

By Gypsy_Saskia

on September 8, 2002

Spend a weekend in Sun City and Pilanusberg. The casino city of Sun City is very close to the wildlife park of Pilanusberg.

Sun City is good fun for a night out and a swim on the fake beach, in the fake sea, with the fake elephants and the fake lions!


	Randburg Waterfront	Tip Rating:

Updated By worm_star

on September 8, 2002

by worm_star
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Randburg Waterfront

Loads of things to do for all ages- you can shop, or play pool, or dine in or just take a stroll and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere. There is one activity i thought exciting- swinging across the lake with your hands attached to a cable 6 feet above the water level. Hahahahah!.. Incredible!

The culture, the language, the people, the most incredible places.. EVERYTHING!!