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Yoliswa Dube recently in South Africa
THERE’S more to South Africa beyond the high crime rate, recent xenophobic attacks, Julius Malema and the Economic Freedom Fighters. South Africa, particularly the Gauteng Province is an absolutely beautiful place I fell madly in love with. Courtesy of the Gauteng Tourism Authority, last week I got the opportunity to experience the magnificence of the province, its people and the fine dining offered at various spots.

To get to Gauteng from Bulawayo, one can either drive, jump onto a coach or fly. It takes at least 12 hours by road to reach Johannesburg but I chose the easiest option and flew aboard South African Airways, Airlink just after midday for approximately 1 hour 10 minutes.

I was caught in the rush at OR Tambo airport upon my arrival and it dawned on me that I was no longer in laid back Bulawayo. I quickly started walking briskly so that I did not look suspicious to SA immigration officials who were already on the look-out with sniffer dogs.

After being allowed entry into that country, I spotted my chauffeur Daniel, dressed in a suit and tie bearing a board written “Miss Dube” in bold. I felt like a celebrity with a net worth $500 million and walked towards him with a bit of oomph.

He was a perfect gentleman from Mozee Tours. He took my luggage, opened my door and welcomed me to Johannesburg. Daniel drove me to The Maslow Hotel, a five-star property located in the heart of Sandton, the richest square-mile in Africa. This was going to be my home for the rest of the week.

As I checked in at the hotel which is a walk away from the Sandton Mall, I felt like I was a fellow South African from the welcome I received. This was just what the doctor ordered. I understood why it was a five-star hotel after I visited the bathroom. The toilet was self-flushing while taps and tissues were sensor operated. It took me quite a while to figure out how to work many things as it was a state-of-the-art facility. Fortunately, I didn’t have to look for the bed as well as the TV.

My visit kicked off with a tour of Liliesleaf, tucked away in the low density Rivonia suburb. Once the nerve centre of the liberation movement and a place of refuge for its leaders, Liliesleaf is one of South Africa’s foremost, award-winning heritage sites where the journey to democracy in South Africa is honoured. Never had I experienced such an interactive museum. The audios, videos and artifacts – simply amazing!

After a tour of Liliesleaf, we headed to the Lion Park, which is very similar to Lion Encounter in Victoria Falls. The Lion Park wildlife conservation enclosure situated near Fourways offers unique cub interaction. For R200, I got the opportunity to stroke the cubs and take pictures. Children were also allowed to take part in this activity as it is safe and done under the supervision of a tour guide.

Next was the guided game drive still at the Lion Park. There I spotted white lions, the famous springbok, giraffe, zebra, cheetah and many other animals. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough time to walk with the cheetah but that would have been epic. It was a great outdoor activity that animal lovers would certainly enjoy. After this activity I decided to call it a day.

Day two began at Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein, largely a student population. The vibrancy at this food market blew me away. The venue boasts of over 100 specialty traders and is a gourmet’s dream-come-true with delicious fresh, organic and specialty foods. I had some sweet potatoes, barbeque chicken and a strawberry daiquiri – it was divine. I spent the rest of the afternoon under the sun with the young blood that frequents this food market.

I hopped onto the Red Bus for a tour of Johannesburg and some monuments around the central business district on day three. The open-top bus has a pre-recorded guide of every street and building you visit in different languages. Simply plug in your earphones, which are provided, and enjoy the sightseeing.

Greats such as Mahatma Gandhi and Walter Sisulu are honoured in the city. Johannesburg is also home to one of Africa’s tallest buildings, the Carlton Centre. The Carlton Hotel was a rich status symbol for Johannesburg; an internationally renowned establishment where the moneyed and the famous wined, dined and slept in style. Henry Kissinger, Francois Mitterand, Hilary Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Whitney Houston and Mick Jagger were among the hotel’s more revered guests during its 25-year history.

We alighted at Gold Reef – a popular theme park to board a Soweto Outdoor Adventures shuttle for a township tour.

I’m still excited and talking about Soweto and all the beautiful places there are to visit in Gauteng’s mining belt in the south.

The drive into Soweto starts at FNB Stadium, where some of the 2010 world cup games were played. From Soccer City it was straight to the Hector Pieterson Memorial, which was set up in memory of Hector Pieterson (1963 – June 16, 1976) who became the subject of an iconic image of the 1976 Soweto uprising in South Africa when a news photograph by Sam Nzima of the dying Hector being carried by another student while his sister ran next to them, was published around the world. He was killed at the age of 13 when the police opened fire on protesting students.

This was such an emotional part of the tour, and a remembrance of the dark portion of South African history.

After some curio shopping next to the Hector Pieterson Memorial, the next stop was the June 16 Memorial Acre where more information about South Africa’s road to democracy is preserved.

The tour of Soweto could not have been complete without a visit to Vilakazi Street, former home to South Africa’s first black Mandela. This is probably Africa’s most famous street.

Vilakazi Street, where Mandela’s first house is located, is lined with a number of restaurants and leisure spots. Sakhumzi Restaurant is where you will find some of South Africa’s most popular dishes. I ate, for the first time in my life, steamed bread, tripe and chakalaka. It was absolutely delicious. The restaurant offers a buffet menu at ridiculously affordable prices. We had sundowners at Sakhumzi before calling it a night.

Day five was all about South Africa’s scientific history. The day began at the Cradle of Humankind where one will find the Sterkfontein Caves and the Maropeng Visitor Centre.

The Sterkfontein Caves are the world’s richest hominid fossil site, with thousands of discoveries made there since excavation began in 1935. It is also the site of the longest continuous palaeonthropological dig in the world.

Maropeng is an exciting, world-class exhibition, focusing on the development of humans over the past few million years. It is also a very interactive monument that the whole family can enjoy. The Maropeng experience can never be adequately described in words, you only have to visit the place to understand its beauty.

There are so many places where one can eat a mixture of the best of South African and exotic cuisine.

In the heart of Soweto and among the bright lights of Johannesburg, one can have the best of a-la-carte, junk food and drinks for the most affordable prices.

One’s trip to Johannesburg would never be complete without sampling the city’s nightlife. The highlight was visiting Estupini in Alexander Park, one of the country’s oldest townships. The nightspot is far from being fancy, but plays some of the latest deep house music tracks and sells all alcoholic beverages available on the market. Deep in the dingy ghetto were parked some of the latest and posh cars driven by flamboyantly dressed party lovers.

The Jozi night life is an excellent way to wrap up your visit to the City of Gold. Other clubs to visit, away from the ghetto, are Taboo, The Sands, Hush, Cocoon and Sway.

After spending an epic week in Jozi, it was back to the limousine with Daniel and straight to OR Tambo to catch the dreaded flight back home.

You would certainly want to head down to Gauteng and experience the vibrancy and heritage the province has to offer.