Johannesburg

Johannesburg is a city of dreams. It has managed to pull off a perfect blend of greenery and towering skyscrapers, something that most other cities are struggling to execute. The city is central to the economy of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ and at a healthy GDP rate of 12% continues to contribute substantially to the growth of the country. Johannesburg is known as the ‘City of Gold’ and is also the heart for all South African business activities. The city all over the world is noted for its greenery. Large trees blend perfectly well into the concrete jungles here. The people inhabiting the city have an inclination towards greenery and the outdoors, a possible explanation to the 2328 parks present in the city.

Dry winters and temperate summers make for the weather of Johannesburg. Temperatures during the summer can exceed 30°C and are often treated with thundershowers in the afternoons. Jozi, Egoli or Joburg as the city is often called is located at a height of 1753m and has a population of around 3.2 million people.

The city was first inhabited by the San and Stone Age people and gained global importance post the discovery of its mineral wealth by an Australian gold prospector. This discovery and interest generation ultimately led to the Witwatersrand Gold Rush. Johannesburg officially became a city in the year 1886.

The melting pot of a city is also recognized for its cultural artifacts. It’s dotted with a host of museums, the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill being the most famous. The people who have been and are still a part of the Johannesburg life call themselves Joburgers and mostly comprise descendants of immigrants.

In the true sense of the term, Johannesburg is a global city, a cultural hotspot that makes for an extremely unique African experience. People from China, India, Europe and other parts of the world come together here and make it the fun and energetic city that it is. Johannesburg is a destination worth a visit indeed.

 

Just like how Johannesburg is at the heart of all South African business activities, it also serves as the nerve centre for everything to do with South African football. The city is home to South Africa’s most popular football teams – The Kaizer Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates. Other well-known clubs include BidVest Wits, Jomo Cosmos and Moroka Swallows, one of the oldest clubs in the country.

The city literally lives on the entertainment provided by football. A match between rival clubs Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates is can safely be considered South Africa’s biggest crowd puller. The big match is also dubbed as ‘Soweto Derby'. It is a celebrated rivalry, one that has literally been fed into the pages of the history of Johannesburg. This also goes to show that the South Africans and more particularly the people of Johannesburg take their football seriously.

Exceptional talents like Jomo Sono, Ace Ntsoelengoe, Kaizer Motaung, Lucas Radebe and Doctor Khumalo and many others call Johannesburg home. It obviously wouldn’t be erroneous to say that football stars are not a rarity at ‘Jo’burg’.

Also, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which was won by South Africa was hosted and held at Johannesburg. South Africa had pulverized Tunisia 2-0 to win the Cup at Soccer City. South Africa also won the 1995 Rugby World Cup which was held at the Ellis Park Stadium at Johannesburg. All this only proves the fact that Johannesburg is indeed a city worthy of hosting a FIFA World Cup match.