Who Knew Jo’burg Would Be So Interesting?

After my first two exciting days in Johannesburg, I was looking forward to Day 3 of my FUNDI trip as I was scheduled to visit some of the most exciting places that one should see when in Johannesburg. Our day started with a scenic drive to GOLD REEF CITY which is also popularly known as a CITY WITHOUT LIMITS. In this unique complex

you have a casino as well as an amusement park and if you want to be part of the fun and adventure all day long and late into the night you could even stay at one of the hotel properties within the GOLD REEF CITY. To reach the GOLD REEF CITY we had to take the road which leads to Bloemfontein, the judicial capital of South Africa.

Since we are on the subject of Gold and Gold mines let me tell you the interesting history of Johannesburg and why it is known as the city of Gold. In 1885 this region which was known as Witwatersrand or the Ridge of White Waters was virtually an uninhabited ridge- a watershed 1800 metres above sea level from which streams running north found its way into the Indian Ocean and in the southern side emptied into the Atlantic Ocean. Once it was identified that there were Gold Mines in and around this area, within the span of a decade, Johannesburg grew to become the most populous city in southern Africa and in no time it was known as the city of gold and instant riches. Soon you had people migrating not only from different parts of South Africa but also from neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and as the gold rush period came to an end, it lead to many miners becoming unemployed. This eventually lead to a place with a high unemployment rate which further led to a city with a high crime rate. I will of of course emphasize, that despite all this history Johannesburg is as good as other cosmopolitan cities of the world like New York, London or Mumbai and barring a few areas, most of the city is safe.

Coming back to our trip, at GOLD REEF CITY you will find one of Africa’s greatest theme parks which is built around an authentic 19th Century gold mine. For those who want to see how the miners used to explore gold, it is worth taking the underground tour. Once in Gold Reef City, you can book your tour at “mine 20″ and it costed approximately R 45.00 per person at that time.

First you have to gear up for the trip by wearing one of the colourful helmets along with the outfit which the miners used to wear to go several levels below the ground to explore gold. Then a lift takes you down under and your tour begins. As in the mine it used to be pitch dark in the 19th century, so to give you a feel of how miners used to work, you are made to walk through dark areas with a torch. Professional miners take you around and besides taking you several levels below ground level, they take you back in time narrating to you the history of the miners and how they used to go about exploring gold.

As South Africa has 11 official languages, it would have been difficult for persons to communicate with each other in the mines in the olden days. So before working in the mine, all the miners had to learn a common “miners” language which would be comprehended by one and all. The tour which lasted around 40 odd minutes took us through the entire process of how mining is carried out and the risks involved in mining gold. “No wonder we pay such a price for gold”, I thought! After the tour ends, you are shown how a gold bar is made and this turned out to be the most interesting part of the tour for those of us who visited the gold mine to take back a souvenir or two. One of the most priced collections here is undoubtedly the 1 oz KRUGERRAND which a collector’s item that comes to you after creating a big hole in your pocket. There are other interesting souvenirs that you could get as well but nothing to beat the KRUGERRAND. Those interested in doing a bit of window shopping before the BIG PURCHASE can visit www.goldreefcity-mint.co.za and carry the extra couple of thousand dollars to bring back a collection of gold souvenirs.

After experiencing darkness in the mines and thereafter the glitz of gold in the souvenir shops, it was back to reality to see the other interesting sight of GOLD REEF CITY – the amusement park, a must for kids and kids at heart.

There are as many as 31 thrill rides you could choose from and for the strong hearted, it is worth taking a ride in the TOWER OF TERROR. This is really a terror ride where you are taken up very slowly right on to the top of the tower in a carriage and then literally thrown down the tower in a matter of few microseconds! I would highly recommend the trip for those who want to have a preview of high altitude falls before venturing out for a bungee jumping ride. Then there is the Anaconda roller coaster, the river rapids as well as a 55metre giant wheel.

I have to write this out in bold letters - HAVE A BALL AT THE AMUSEMENT PARK IN GOLD REEF CITY!

With rides ranging from the thrill- a-second Golden Loop to the Swinging Coco Pan to the more sedate fun train and the Magical dragon land for the smaller children, Gold Reef city has succeeded in providing something for the entire family.

There are also robotic shows, clowns, bands, tribal dancing displays, magicians, can-can girls, strolling minstrels, gumboot dancers and even a mini farm at this magical place. To give you the flavour of South Africa just as you enter the Gold Reef City complex is a very colourful presentation of tribal dancers thumping their feet and shaking their bellies to some very lively music. The sight is breathtaking.

There is loads of stuff to do at GOLD REEF CITY and we were glad to find out that we would be making yet another trip later in the night to experience the bustling city at night. At the CASINO HOTEL, later we got to enjoy some exotic cuisine at the “Back of the Moon” restaurant and also witnessed one of the longest running musical plays in South Africa –“the African Footprint” being performed at the Globe Theatre located within the same complex. The “Back of the Moon” is a restaurant which creates a fusion of the romantic past with the exciting present. Based on the theme of a Sophiatown shebeen or pub in the turbulent fifties, you can experience great cuisine and at the same time rub shoulders with great musicians from Africa.

The restaurant has live entertainment and for those who want to get cosy, there are intimate dinners and personalized celebrations for a group of 20 to 30. Normally there is a minimum cover charge if you want live entertainment you will have to pay an extra charge. After enjoying a sumptuous meal you can either try your luck at the casino or see a play at the Globe Theatre just as we did. We were extremely lucky to witness “African Footprint” – an explosive stampede of song and dance with an interesting ensemble of Euro African music. African Footprint first premiered in May 2000, has played to over 500 capacity packed houses and is one of the most successful musicals in South Africa.

There is a bit of history and significance associated with Richard Loring’s musical as the first public performance was a part of the Global Broadcast of South Africa’s millennium celebrations from Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned during the apartheid era.

And talking about apartheid, a visit to Johannesburg and more specifically to Gold Reef City is incomplete without visiting the Apartheid Museum which is located on the Gold Reef Road very close to Gold Reef City. I’ll tell you more about the Apartheid Museum, Soweto and Nelson Mandela’s house here!