Jo’burg, South Africa
Jo’burg (Johannesburg) is the first city I started my travels in in South Africa. There were only three attractions in Jo’burg that I wanted to visit….Soweto, Hector Peterson Museum and Apartheid Museum. Apart from these attractions there is not much more to see in Jo’burg and once you have seen these attractions as a first time visitor to S.A., there really is no need to visit J’o'burg again. Unfortunately, Jo’ burg is not a city you can walk around in to get a feel for the city or people, day or night. As, this is the first city in my travels past and present that I could not freely walk around, nor can the locals….as it is unsafe. Unsafe in terms of you can and may be robbed at 12:00pm in a park surrounded by people…..which is preciously what happened to a couple from my backpackers. Unfortunately common sense or street smarts does not apply in this city. However, there is a safe alternative……being shuttled between your desired destinations…..I know not ideal, but Jo’burg is a ‘must see’ and it is better than the alternative……being robbed of your valuables, not exactly an ideal vacation.
So, knowing this i was shuttled between the tourist attractions I visited, which began with Soweto (which I have previously posted on) and then visited the “Hector Peterson Museum”. The “Hector Peterson Museum” is located in Soweto and is a museum named after a 12 year old boy student who was shot by the police on June 16, 1976 and died on the scene. On the same day about 566 other students died by police officers. The museum is to commemorate the students (and Hector Peterson) who died during the uprising on June 16, 1976. The studenst where protesting against being taught Afrikkans in school (considered the white language). The museum is located across the street from the corner Hector Peterson was shot. Also, Hectors sister (who was with him at the time he was shot) runs the museum. If you are lucky, you may have the opportunity of meeting her on the day you visit.
On the following day I visited the Apartheid Museum. The Apartheid Museum requires A LOT of time as it has information that spans decades in one building. The museum is set up makes for an easy flow, it starts from the beginning when the Dutch arrived, the Boer War and proceeds up until 1994 when blacks FINALLY got the right to vote. This museum is not a one hour event, it really requires at the minimum four hours. However, for me I would have preferred to visit a portion of it on one day, go home take in the information and then return the following day and visit the remaining sections of the museum.
After visiting Soweto and the museums, I decided on my next destination……Kruger National Park…..for a four night, three day Safari! And off I went, from Jo’burg to Kruger!
Tags: South Africa
