johannesburg

WHAT TO SEE
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Historical places of interest, excellent museums, art galleries
with contemporary art that is putting South Africa on
the global map – the city is worth exploring. From history
to cuisine and street art, local tour guides can let you in on
Joburg’s otherwise best-kept secrets. See our special feature
on Chinese Joburg for something out of the ordinary.
Museums
Apartheid Museum Cnr Northern Parkway and Gold
Reef Rd, Ormonde (Gold Reef City), tel. + 27 11 309
4700, www.apartheidmuseum.org. This extraordinary
museum brings to life the horrors of apartheid. The fascinating
story of South Africa’s struggle for democracy is compellingly
told with powerful displays and interactive elements. It is
not to be missed, but children younger than 10 should not
visit. The museum is located in the Gold Reef City Casino
complex.QTue–Sun 09:00–17:00. Closed Mon. Admission:
R65 for adults, R50 pensioners and students, school-going
children R20. UBK
Constitution Hill D-1/2, Cnr Joubert and Kotze Sts,
Braamfontein, tel. +27 11 381 3100, www.constitutionhill.org.za.
The buildings of Constitution Hill reveal the
horrors of some of the darkest hours of 20th-century South
Africa while also showcasing the country’s bright future in
the modern Constitutional Court. The large complex is split
into four parts: the Old Fort, the Women’s Gaol, the Number
4 prison block and the Constitutional Court. In addition to
the extensive permanent exhibits, the complex also hosts
regular art and photography exhibitions and lectures, and
has an impressive art collection.
The Old Fort At the centre of the Constitution Hill complex,
it was built in 1893 by President Paul Kruger as a fortress
to protect Joburg from the threat of British invasion and
also to keep watch over the miners flocking to the growing
settlement. Following the end of the Anglo-Boer war the fort
became a jail for white prisoners. One notable exception is
Nelson Mandela who was briefly imprisoned here when he
was arrested in 1962. His cell is now part of a permanent
exhibition. Make sure you take a walk around the fort ramparts
for a fantastic view of the skyscrapers of the City Centre.
Women’s Gaol The grand-looking brick buildings were built
in 1909 and held black and white female prisoners (and often
their babies too) in separate sections. During apartheid
many major political activists such as Albertina Sisulu, Ruth
First and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela were imprisoned here
in humiliating conditions and subjected to months of solitary
confinement. The museum includes many moving testimonies
from former prisoners, detailing their struggles behind bars
and the shockingly absurd reasons for their arrests.
Number 4 The notorious prison block is not for the fainthearted
and wandering its bleak yards and dank cells is at
times a harrowing experience. It was used from 1904 until
1983 as a prison for ‘native men’ whose crimes ranged
from political activism and communist party membership
to murder, robbery, petty crime and, most commonly, the
infringement of the racist passbook laws. Before leaving,
pause at the humbling exhibit on Mahatma Gandhi, who was
imprisoned here in 1906 for his political activism.
Constitutional Court The court was opened in 2003 and
was built using bricks from the old awaiting-trial prison block.
The bright, inviting and modern building is filled with hundreds
of South African artworks, which alone are worth a visit.
Visitors are allowed to attend court hearings and visit the
court chamber.QMon–Fri 08:30–17:00, Sat 10:00–15:00.
johannesburg.inyourpocket.com
February - April 2014