For the Personal Touch
Johannesburg exists because of Gold. It is a city of contrasts - brash, loud, but with a softer side. We trace it's history from the Iron Age,
through the first European settlers, the discovery of gold, the Second Anglo-Boer War, the Rebellion and up to modern times.
Admire the oldest house still standing in the city, and learn about the impact the owner had on Johannesburg. Pass an inner-city nature
reserve, Melville Koppies, with iron-age sites. See where a Boer War general died, thus resulting in a coup being averted. Inspect the
site of the discovery of the Main Reef in George Harrison Park. Drive into town for a look at Mary Fitzgerald Square, home to
MuseumAfrica which has interesting displays on township life and life during apartheid. The BenSusan Museum of photography is
situated in the same building. This was the site of Johannesburg’s first power station, and the Turbine Hall and Electric Workshop
have been restored and are repurposed. The square also houses the Workers Museum and library as well as the Market Theatre.
Just behind the square is Brickfields, where a plague outbreak in 1904 gave the city governor the opportunity to implement some of the
Milner Commission recommendations - and set the course for apartheid.
Continue into town past other historical sites and buildings, including Hollard Street, the financial heart of the city. Visit an historic mine
stope at the Ferreiras Mine Museum, and go to the top of the tallest building, the Carlton Centre, for a bird's eye view.
Soweto is synonymous with the struggle against apartheid - the 1976 student uprising affected the nation and the world in a way that
the Women’s March and Sharpeville had failed to do. Drive down into Soweto - the South Western Townships - and visit historic sites
such as Walter Sisulu Square of Remembrance, where the Freedom Charter was drawn up in 1955; the Mandela House Museum
and Hector Pietersen Memorial; Regina Mundi Church, where Desmond Tutu held services. Along the way we pass Baragwanath
Hospital, Klipspruit and Orlando Power Station.
A number of museums may be visited on this tour in addition to those mentioned above. In order to properly appreciate the museums,
each will require between 2 and 3 hours, so which you visit will depend on interest and time available.
Constitution Hill - on the site of The Fort that was built by President Paul Kruger. It was never used as a military fort, but as a
prison which was added to over the years until by 1930 it contained the infamous Number 4 prison and the Women’s Prison. Today it is
the site of the Constitutional Court, the highest court in our land. This tour lasts about 1.5hr, and offers a glimpse of what anti-
apartheid activists endured in their battle for freedom. This museum is closed on Sunday, but you can walk around the embankments
and up the Great Steps.
Apartheid Museum - a graphic, disturbing journey through the development and reality of apartheid in South Africa. This is a world-
class museum, offering permanent and temporary exhibitions. This museum is not open to children under the age of 12. A visit will
last about 2-3 hours. This museum is closed on Mondays.
Origins Centre - This wonderful museum at the University of the Witwatersrand displays the artifacts of our ancenstors - stone tools,
rock engravings and paintings. There is a wonderful San exhibit, with videos of the Trance Dance and explanations of their beliefs.
This tour offers variety, and can be amended to cater to specific interests. It can be taken as a half-day tour, or as a full day. Drinks and
snacks are provided in the vehicle, but lunch is not included. There is an option to stop for lunch at Wandies, a township eating
establishment serving simple, well-prepared local food.
Please remember - my speciality is customised tours.
I will quote on a customised tour or amend itineraries to suit you.
Your Guide
Johannesburg and Soweto
The history of this city - from farmland to goldmining capital of the world - and the creation of Soweto.
