Day 10 21St April Jo’burg Walking Tour
A quick dash to get a croissant for breakfast then off on our walking tour of Jo’Burg.The tour leader was a very articulate guy called Bonnie aka “Bones”.He started off by telling us about the area we were staying in called Maboneng.It is known as a precinct but does not have official local government status as it is the result of one entrepreneur’s development concept.It is based around creating an “art” precinct, providing commercial space and also cost effective living spaces.See About Maboneng.
We started by walking through the area seeing the sculpture pieces and examples of street art on the buildings in the area.
We walked out of the Maboneng precinct and discovered some of Jo’burg’s secrets.There are the “grey” areas where buildings are being squatted in.The government is purchasing these back and re developing them, apparently with some success.
On to the most amazing second hand bookshop with books just stacked up to the ceiling.A traditional healer’s market, Kwa Mai Mai with all kinds of potions and things in jars.Then cabs into the centre of the city and ‘The top of Africa” in the high rise Carlton Centre which gave a view of the whole city.Then through Ghandi square where there is a statue dedicated to his early life as a lawyer practising in Johannesburg.Walking through the mining head office precinct remembering the importance of gold to the city and ending up at the legal offices of Mandela and Tambo.More cabs to the neighbourhood markets where we had street food and watched local performers.
So a wonderfully diverse experience very different to what we had been told and indeed expecting! A great day!
