Joburg: The City of business and leisure tourism
South Africa is one of the emerging economies in the world today, the country's fledging economy is said to be the best in the whole of Southern Africa and one of the aspect of the economy that is responsible for this growth is tourism. AUSTIN JACOBSON, who was in Joburg, South Africa, on a farm trip explained how and why Joburg has been credited to be the city of business and leisure tourism, every tourist, is looking forward to visit. Excerpt
JOHANNESBURG is one of the world's leading financial centres and it is the economic and financial hub of South Africa, producing sixteen percent of South Africa's gross domestic product, and accounts for forty percent of Gauteng's economic activity. Due to its commercial role, the city is the seat of the provincial government and the site of a number of government branch offices, as well as consular offices and other institutions.
The city is also blessed with history and tourism archives which have made the city one of the most sought after in today's world of business tourism. Investigations by waka-about while in Joburg disclosed that the city holds sixty five percent of the economic activities in the whole of the Southern African Region making it the business hub in the region. In a 2007 survey conducted by MasterCard, Johannesburg ranked 47 out of 50 top cities in the world as a worldwide centre of commerce (the only city in Africa).
The container terminal at City Deep is known to be the largest "dry port" in the world, with some 50 percent of cargo that arrives through the ports of Durban and Cape Town arriving in Johannesburg. The City Deep area has been declared an IDZ (industrial development zone) by the Gauteng government.
The service and other industries include banking, IT, real estate, transport, broadcast and print media, private health care, transport and a vibrant leisure and consumer retail market. Johannesburg has Africa's largest stock exchange, the JSE although it has moved out of the central business district.
Now talking about history and leisure tourism, Joburg is blessed with fantastic and fascinating tourist attractions that have made it stand out as one of the most sought after destinations around the world with places like The Lion Park; it is situated in Gauteng Province near Lanseria Airport and Four ways within easy reach of Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The park offers terrific up close views and other exciting interactions with a large variety of predators and large herbivores indigenous to Africa. The Lion Park is home to over 80 lions including the rare white lions and many other carnivores such as cheetah, wild dog, brown and spotted hyena and black backed jackal and a wide variety of antelope which roam freely in the antelope area
Guests have an opportunity to interact with some of the animals in the Cub World area which has a giraffe feeding platform that puts you at eye level with our tame resident giraffe creating a fun experience for all ages. Then there is the popular cub interaction which allows guests to touch the cubs.
For those who have been hearing about Apartheid and the evils it perpetrated in South Africa, in Joburg, tourist have the opportunity to visit the Apartheid Museum, the first of its kind were they will be opportune to see and know about the rise and fall of Apartheid.
Tourist will also have a swell time in Joburg when they visit The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens which was established in July 1982 and is the youngest of the gardens managed by the National Botanical Institute.
Against the backdrop of the magnificent Witpoortjie waterfall, this Garden (previously called the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden) covers almost 300 hectares and consists of both landscaped and natural veld areas. The history of the Garden shows that it was founded in 1982, but has been a popular venue for outings since the 1800's.
Any tourist coming to Joburg will always have at the back of his or her mind the popular Rivonia Trial, the trial that sent the famous Ten ANC freedom fighters to jail for their fight and struggle for independence. The house they were arrested that faithful night is called Lilies Leaf Farm in Rivonia. Lilies Leaf Farm is the hide out of ANC during the liberation struggle in 1969.
According to the tour guide who took us round the facility, Mr. Zein Khumalo, Lilies Leaf Farm was bought by the ANC through an account in Switzerland by funds from the Soviet goverment and it was were the commanders of the armed wing of the ANC holds meetings on in this farm on how to carry out their plans against the apartheid regime.
If care is not taken, one could betray emotions by bursting into tears when been conducted round this facility because it clearly depicts the height of apartheid and what these heroes went through while fighting for freedom.
Uptil now, it is not yet known how the white apartheid government got to know about the farm and when the meeting was been held but it is believed that the American government then gave the information to the white apartheid regime in exchange for one of their spies that was arrested. This gigantic tourist facility was reconstructed in 2005 and opened as a museum in 2008, it is worth visiting.
The Johannesburg Zoo is also one of the fascinating places to visit when in Joburg. It was established in 1904, and historically, it has been owned and operated by the city of Joburg, the Zoo is an epic centre of living sciences and makes an interesting place for for any tourist seeking pleasure and relation to visit.
For those who love arts and gallery the famous Johannesburg Art Gallery is the biggest gallery in the sub-continent, with a collection larger than that of the South African National Art Gallery in Cape Town. This is the home of some of the most prized works not just in the country but also in the world.
Today, the gallery is a national monument housed in a three-storey building boasting 15 exhibition halls and some sculpture gardens on the grounds of Joubert Park. It is a must visit for lovers of arts and culture.
The Elephant Sanctuary is a family orientated operation catering for both young and old. It is focused on education through interaction, so tourist will not only learn a lot about elephants, but also get to touch, feel, feed, walk trunk-in-hand and even ride these magnificent animals. The Elephants Sanctuary is highly intelligent and delightful and when meeting them you will discover that each one has a different character, personality and temperament.
Joburg also boast of the best hotels anywhere in the world, the hotels in Joburg has the best of facilities and beddings that can cater for any type of guest with the warm and courteous service hospitality has to offer.
For sport lovers, they are assured of the best in sports and this was readily confirmed when we visited the Inanda Polo Club that hosted the African Polo Tournament which Nigeria took part in. The tournament was quite interesting as it brings together opportunity within the business community to network and have fun.
The tourism in Joburg is well organised with tour operators taking care of all tour activities and these was well done during the farm trip with Josh Explorer, Tours and Transfer doing a very good coordinating of the trip in conjunction with the South Africa Tourism (SAT).
Speaking with the Chief Executive Officer of Josh Explorer Mr. Joshua Mdluli, he said that Joburg has got all what a tourist requires for his or her holiday relaxation. According to him, the joburg has the best in Safaris and historical sites that are overwhelming. He said the best of hotels can also be found in Joburg and the kind of services provided are of immense value.
On this Farm Trip, waka-about had a first class hospitality treatment with cruises around Sandton City in a custom build limousine and the best of leisure every tourist would love to get and this can only be readily available only in Joburg, the city of leisure and business
