In case you didn't know that I have a love of African travel here I am again to share all the wonderful things I will be able to see and learn on this trip. I hope it makes your heart sing for Africa as well. For once I actually have a day in Johannesburg to discover what makes it tick and why the locals are so proud of their city. To understand this I felt that I needed to travel to the heart of Apartheid and learn what I could about what happened then and what is going on now. To accomplish this I set out on a tour of Soweto and the Apartheid museum--I had 6 hours but you could spend several days. The introduction to Soweto first lets you know of the depths of the horrors that accompanied anyone who lived there and those who still do. This was gold country so the village men came from their homes to live in communal housing and work in the mines. There was no running water and no electricity. They lived together in dormitories--but nothing like what we send our children to live in while they are in college.
To hide from the public these living conditions, housing called "facades" were built towards the road so that inquiring eyes thought that everything was wonderful. These "facades" are in fact quite welcoming and are basically single family units instead of housing hundreds. Please see a typical example
The government has made an effort to take the worst of the housing and offered upgraded options. Unfortunately as individuals avail themselves of this they leave their tin houses for the many illegal nationals fleeing Zimbabwe. These people fleeing from their homes pay the slumlords and live in the tin shanties without any necessities. Neither are they counted in the population of Soweto which could be from 3 to 5 million!
Still fortune has come even to Jo'burg. Entrepreneurs are everywhere. I won't note the shopping malls and dining venues but I think two things are important to show. Once there was a power plant that is no longer needed so it has been painted with Freedom and a bungee jump created between the two towers.
But the real example of change in this city is the World Cup Stadium . This event spotlighted South Africa to the world and illustrated that this is a fantastic destination which is unique and most importantly safe! I am glad that I had my day in Jo'Burg. So often all any one sees is the airport and the inside of a hotel where they can be anywhere because the caliber of hotel is first class in every way.
Tomorrow we are off to Botswana. Internet will be limited because this will be the bush but please say tuned because the next pictures will be of the heart of Africa--it's animals and its landscapes. Hope you fall in love too!
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