Johannesburg General Tips by Jenniflower

Favorite Thing: Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth are the 4 main areas of South Africa where 75% of all the country's ecoonomic activity occurs!

Gauteng is the absolute powerhouse of the country, with about 40% of the GDP hailing from there. It's where most of the jobs are, and where people go to .make money'.

Unfortunately though, with that, the criminals are well aware fo this and so it has the reputation as being a place ridden with crime.

Yes, there is alot of crime, but in the many years I lived there, we were only burgled once. I know of one car hijacking too where I personally know the people involved, where the people were not hurt.


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Favorite Thing: Try and only carry the cash you will need with you for the day, or else have plastic handy.

This is in the unlikely event that you lose money or it is 'lifted' from you!

Travellers cheques are used widely throughout South Africa, as are credit cards.


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Favorite Thing: South Africa is made up of 9 provinces, some small, some large, with the 2 small countries of Swaziland and Lesotho landlocked within it's borders.

The smallest province, Gauteng, is the most productive of all provinces in South Africa.


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Favorite Thing: Johannesburg, has been given a bad rap over the years.

It used to be a thriving city (In the centre of the city), but many businesses, including The Stock Exchange, moved into Sandton, which is now a strong CBD (Central Business District) in its own right. Many businesses have de-centralised.

Having said that, it is undergoing a transformation, residential flats/apartments are being refurbished and money is being put into this city for the people.

Johannesburg city centre is not the ideal place for a traveller/tourist to go to. The city is generally dirty, has hawkers everywhere, and there’s not much in the way of family entertainment at all.

But if you would like to experience some traditional street culture, this is where you will find it. Keep your car windows closed though when driving through it, especially at night.

There is so much to see and enjoy and savour in the areas neighbouring the City Centre!


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Favorite Thing: Growing up in Johannesburg was lovely.

Though living in a single-parent home, we had all our needs taken care of, were (and still are) a very close family, and have a fabulous mother who brought us up.

We used to spend a lot of time at home, or at friends or other family homes. That's something I love about South Africa, the hospitality

Things are more family-focussed and -centred. Material possessions are not important, family is. (Of course, not all family's are like this, ours was/is though).

Afternoons were spent splashing in the swimming pool or playing rounders in the garden, making forts in the dining room under the dining room table, and 'camping' in the garden (never mind the parktown prawns!). Playing on the foofy slide on the lawn or trying to play cricket.

Wouldn't change it for anything :)
Thanks ma x


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Favorite Thing: As mentioned in the tip above, when growing up we played outside a lot.

There was more attention on you occupying yourself, than being entertained (which many kids are nowadays, with plaustation, DVDs etc.).

Anything to do with the pool, sand and grass was good enough for the afternoon :)

My little niece in the photo also loves the outdoors.. playing in her little sandpit, and pool next to it.

Due to the weather being so outside-friendly, the lifestyle in South Africa is generally a lot more outside-orientated.

Braais (BBQs) and pool parties are the order of the day :)


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Favorite Thing: Many people don't have much good to say about Johannesburg.

They hear all the bad press, always compare its beauty to Cape Town's (which is hardly fair, as Cape Town is one of the most beautiful places in the world, so hardly a comparison!).

But there is a lot to do here, with family and elsewhere. And Johannesburg, with it's minedumps and lush gardens, rolling hills and lakes, has so much to offer too.

We enjoy spending time with family, we also enjoy going to botanical gardens, game parks, going out for dinner (Johannesburg has some awesome restaurants!).

The people are generally friendly and welcoming.

When I have been away for a while, it's only when I chat to the passport controller at Oliver Thambo International (used to be Johannesburg International), that I say 'I am home'.


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