Johannesburg

Johannesburg Tour - We booked a 4-hour tour with another American couple from Atlanta who will take a different Overseas Adventure Tour (OAT). Some observations - Freeways are modern like those in the USA and also like the freeways in big USA cities, congested.  Walls topped with razor wire surround almost all houses. Almost everyone we saw on the streets, shops and cars was black.  It was a strange feeling to be in the minority.  The guide related that their country is experiencing similar challenges as the U.S.  Many people are pouring in from poorer African nations.  There are problems with drugs especially in these "foreign" inhabited sections.  The guide took us to an interesting Zulu Shop.  Here are herbs made from the bones of wild animals that their healers (aka "witch doctors") use to hopefully, cure ailments.  They also use native plants to find remedies for illness.

Nelson Mandela

The highlight of the tour were the visits to Nelson Mandela's law office and home.  We were educated in depth about the struggle of the people again discrimination and apartheid.  He spent many years in prison, paying a high price for himself and the African people.  After 26 years he was freed and became a national hero to his people, much as Martin Luther King is to ours.  We saw many of his awards, plaques and recognitions from around the world.  We  also visited the Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto.  This chronicled the killing of young children who in 1976  protested when  the white government decided to change their language to Afrikan.  It was a touching memorial for the rights of the black South African people,

Other interesting facts from our guide ... Unemployment is almost 40% and the government is considering lowering the retirement age from 65 to 60 or younger with the hope that jobs will open up for its youth.  Health care is free for the population and most everyone receives a government pension of about $100 per month upon retirement.  There are mostly 2 classes:  the rich and the poor with very little middle class.  We saw slums around the city with people living in shacks without indoor plumbing.  We also saw very pretty prosperous areas with nice homes.  Government corruption is rampant.  Recently, the current leader built a "government paid-for" home that cost in the millions while the population struggles. By the way, the downtown area has pretty skyscrapers.   In other areas of the city, we saw women walking with their husbands carrying heavy loads on their heads and arms, while their husband walked unencumbered next to them.  So much for women's rights!

The country makes most of its money in mining - particularly platinum and gold. Like we saw in Costa Rica, even the poor have cell phones and the guide said that those in the slums somehow manage to acquire a flat screen television.  Most know all about U.S. politics and watch many of our movies.  Our influence is felt here.  Below are some interesting photos.  Note the "non white" shop.  Tomorrow, we fly out to the beautiful Kruger National Park and will get our first view of wild animals.





African Steps to the prison - statue represents losing possessions




Raw Material for Witch Doctors

Nice skyscrapers in city center

HUGE Soccer Stadium