About Jozi Welcome, from the 'place of gold' 
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| Welcome, from the 'place of gold' |
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| Friday, 18 April 2008 | ||
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Sin’mele Zwakalani. Johannesburg, 2010 FIFA World Cup™ host city, is getting ready for you.
JOHANNESBURG has celebrated getting to host the biggest event in the world. Now we’re now getting serious - se-ri-aas, as we say here. 
The buildings reflect a more modern feel
The largest city in the country, Joburg is gritty, fast, in-your-face – and filled with some of the friendliest people you’re every likely to meet. Let’s get to know one another. First things first. If you really want to communicate, here are a few phrases that’ll come in handy. “Howzit, my bru” is a friendly greeting, as in “How are you, my brother”. A variation is “Heita” or “Hello”. “Sharp” is a common response, meaning things are great. If you are invited for a “jol” it simply means that you’re in for a good time, which may involve popping in for a “dop” (a drink) at the local “shebeen” (township bar). But, don’t overdo it or you may end up with a “babbelas” (hangover). For most of your time in Joburg you’ll be more comfortable if you wear your "takkies" when walking around. That one you can work out for yourself. Okay, now you’re ready for a crash course on Jozi. The city centre is a good place to start. Here you’ll get the buzz of an African city. Street traders ply their variety of wares, from cheap clothes to perfume, from fruit and vegetables to lighters. The smell of food cooking wafts through the side roads, while the sounds of taxis looking for fares challenge the music playing from sidewalk boomboxes. As with any large city, visitors should be street-smart. Take reasonable precautions and take advice from locals. Joburg is a relatively young city, just over 100 years old, so the buildings reflect a more modern feel than many international cities. Look out for the contrast between the taxi ranks and the colonial-era City Hall. Hidden between the busy streets is Main Street, a pedestrian walkway where you can stop for a coffee at one of the cafes. The giant mining houses – the very reason for Joburg’s existence – dot the eight-block walkway. To get a real panoramic view of the city, take a trip to the top of the Carlton Centre where there is an observation deck. 
Take in some jazz at the Bassline
North of the city centre, at the foot of Hillbrow, is Joubert Park and the Joburg Art Gallery. To the west is Constitution Hill, the home of the country’s Constitution Court built within the ramparts of the Old Fort, once a notorious prison. Further from the city centre is the suburban north, where up-market malls like Sandton City are minutes away from the heartland of historic Alexandra township. South west of the city centre is the ever burgeoning Soweto – famous for so many acts of defiance against the apartheid government. Take a tour of the township, where you’ll find the houses of two Nobel Peace Prize winners' on the same street. Just up the road is the Hector Pieterson Museum, commemorating his death and many others on 16 June, 1976. He is buried in the nearby Avalon Cemetery, as are many who were involved in the apartheid struggle. On a lighter note, Soweto is where the city’s football heart is. On your travels through the township you will notice the giant Orlando Stadium, one of the official practice grounds. Here and there you’ll notice the impromptu matches of youngsters. And you can stop at a local shebeen to catch up on the latest football gossip over a cold one. Most importantly, you’ll need to know that on the outskirts of the township is the massive Nasrec development, where the final 2010 FIFA World Cup™ match will be played. So, Sin’mele Zwakalani – come on over, we’re waiting for you.
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Currency
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Weather
Partly cloudy.
16°low 29°high
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Joburg speaks out
Jozi residents talk about their city, the 2010 build-up, their favourite places.
Click here