Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg: the triumvirate of South African cities that dominates destination ‘hit lists’ across the world. While Table Mountain and Durban’s beaches are key draws for South African incentives, Johannesburg is the country’s most prominent gateway for business, and lures groups not only with top-class hotels and convention facilities, but with activities and sights ranging from Nelson Mandela’s former home, city-wide bus tours, street markets and bungee. MIX takes a look at some of the top things to do with delegates when visiting Johannesburg.
Hop on Joburg’s open top bus tour
City Sightseeing buses are a familiar sight in major cities thanks to their glaring red paint jobs and open roof tops. This is one of the best ways to see Joburg’s CBD, offering delegates the chance to hop on and off at will and accompanied by a guide at all times. Plugged into earphones, you’ll receive a real-time and informative explanation of the city’s prominent monuments, famous streets, districts as the bus passes them, offering a poignant insight into the troubled history of South Africa’s largest city.
Soweto tour
Home to the FNB football stadium from the FIFA 2010 World Cup, Soweto is one of the country’s largest townships, housing close to 5 million inhabitants. Soweto is massive, but minivan tours are a great way of navigating the area, guided by locals who know the area inside out. Stop off at Nelson Mandela’s former home for a quick tour, get delegates bungee jumping from the grafittied Orlando Twin Towers, shop for local trinkets at street stalls and take a photo outside the current home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Lunch at a local outdoor eatery is included with the tour.
Lilliesleaf Farm
Located in Joburg’s Rivonia suburb, Lilliesleaf is the former stronghold of the anti-apartheid liberation movement. A place of refuge for the movement’s leaders including Nelson Mandela, the farm was bought by the Communist Party in the 60s for use as a HQ. On 11 July 1964, a police raid took place at Lilliesleaf, which led to the unearthing of liberation struggle documents and the subsequent incarceration of many of the movement’s key players. Today, Lilliesleaf is a world heritage site, and groups can tour the farm's buildings which contain interactive digital experiences and artefacts from the movement.
