Musing about the future of the metropolis Johannesburg is quite challenging.
Born from a golden womb its arteries feed the rest of Africa, from industry to wigs.
Although gold no longer fills the core of this city, its heart still beats a golden tune. The people of Johannesburg focused on their daily business, sharing the diversity of cultures…
Although the lifeblood is not quite gold anymore, the hue is still visible. All industry exists purely because of the need that was created during the gold rush…
Steeped in the historical controversy of greed, racism, oligarchy, a new era is looming which will hopefully be based on the hard-won democratic principles allowing each individual the right to his own endeavours…
Our past has divided Johannesburg into three distinctive parts. There is Sandton, the Dubai of South Africa, where everything works. The roads are wide, clean and filled with shiny cars. The buildings are new, representing the success of the businesses that occupy them and the people residing within its neighbourhoods.
On the far southern side, you have Soweto – a vibrant, colourful post-apartheid ‘Township’. No longer a true township, the streets are lined with homes showing signs of success, expensive cars and well-dressed, happy people. Entrepreneurship is visible wherever you go, indicative of the people striving forward, seeking their own ‘gold nuggets’.
And then there is the old city Johannesburg. What role does this matriarch play in the development of this Metropolis?
Modern day Johannesburg is symbolic of the African phoenix rising from the remains of the Western civilisation. The mass of people milling around, mixed with African markets, the hustle and bustle which can be intimidating to the uninitiated.
Amongst all this activity sub-cultures are developing which are representative of the new South Africa. The youth, not being aware of the divisive factors, freely mix, creating some amazing spaces.
This old lady once again sets the trend of the overall city of Johannesburg. Will it have the strength to pull the wealthy and the ambitious together and once again be the hub of a city where the heartbeat is tinged with gold?
It is now the capital city of the province Gauteng and businesses are once again looking at possible office space. Urban regeneration is slowly changing the face of the city and with two universities empty factories are finding new uses as funky accommodation. Food and craft markets are thriving. Stunning graffiti can be seen in select places and artists are given opportunities to ply their trade.
Intellectual stimulation can be accessed from all over the city. Numerous museums cover a variety of subjects, from archaeology through to zoology. Theatres are many in numbers, from Soweto to Sandton and cover a wide spectrum of entertainment.
Art galleries are virtually around every corner, varying from the traditional to the contemporary.
Interested in African medicine? An authentic African experience can be had at the comprehensive muthi market. Shopping can be done at some of the tiny little boutiques, owner run by our upward moving youngsters.
The coffee culture is growing and a wonderful cuppa can be had in tiny coffee shops scattered across the city centre. Grab a bite to eat in one of the numerous little restaurants lining the streets.
In between all this activity you will learn something from the gold era of yesteryear. The impressive art deco buildings; one of the original gold mines tucked under one of our banks; mining equipment in an open-air museum; pubs still catering for the worker.
Johannesburg, a city of promise … a city under reconstruction … a city of real people…