Johannesburg, South Africa reminds me of the United Kingdom in terms of its environment and vegetation, and a bit of New Zealand in terms of residentials. And it is a relatively safe city contrary to popular belief as long as you avoid certain highly populated areas like Hillbrow if you’re not with a local guide. Of course, crime is everywhere in the world, as long as we know how to stay safe and not wander along dark alleys in the middle of the night. We stayed in Sandton, a fashion suburb 15 minutes drive from central Johannesburg. Hotels are as expensive as Singapore’s Orchard Road hotels but they are well worth it.
Shopping centres are vast and safe. Security guards are everywhere. Close to our hotel is Village Walk Mall, Nelson Mandela Square, which is connected to Sandton City, reputedly the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere.
Taxis are rather pricey but do ask for a metre taxi from the concierge. The best way to go around Johannesburg is by taking an organised tour. Most hotels provide information on reliable tour operators. And if you have plenty of time in South Africa, take a two-to-three days safari to Kruger National Park which is five hours drive from Johannesburg. Prices usually include hotel, meals and the game drives.
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- With Zakumi, World Cup 2010 mascot.
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- Soccer City final touch up for World Cup 2010.
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- African curio for sale.
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- Orlando Children’s Home kids. – PHOTOS: AZMI MAJID & ALAIEMAH MULEK
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- Golf Reef City reminiscent of the Johannesburg gold rush.
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- Golf Reef city houses a casino, a five-star hotel and a theme park.
For Muslims, halal food is not a problem in South Africa. There’s a local kebab chain called Anat, a pizza chain Debonairs; even KFC is halal in Johannesburg. Just ask before ordering and they will show you their halal certificate.
One can feel the FIFA World Cup 2010 heat already by now. A visit to Soccer City is a must. The stadium which is inspired by traditional African pottery, is where the opening and final matches will be held. In an effort to prepare Johannesburg for the FIFA World Cup the local government has enlisted the help of former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani to help bring down the crime rate, as the opening and closing matches of the tournament will be played in the city.
Azmi Majid & Alaiemah Mulek
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