Claudia, we had an all day tour of Johanesburg and Soweto (South West Township). First, we were taken through the history of Johanesburg and how apartheid changed the area. We were given glimpses of what Johanesburg was like during these times from both a black and white perspective. We visited the older, elegant communities and the new surburban developments as well as the urban wasteland that is now downtown. Unfortunately, the apartheid museum was closed. The second portion of the tour was of Soweto. First, we learned about the history of Soweto and were driven through this vast township, where homes range from shacks to lovely middle class homes. We were taken into several different museums, visited Mandala's home, and visted a poor area of the township, where we were allowed into a home and to talk with the townspeople. We came away with a true appreciation of the early growth, change, decline and new change in Johanesburg and its people. It was a chauffer driven, private tour and very reasonable. We found the tour interesting, loved our guide and came away with a better sense of South Africa than we did in the Capetown area, which was ever so elegant. However, we did not take the tour Anne/Gary/Penny/Ray took in Capetown, of which they only had positive things to say. It seems this tour gave them the same insights that our tour of Johanesburg gave us. Soweto is so intertwined with the history of Sth Africa, I would say it is a must see. It wasn't depressing but more attitude evolving.

I would certainly recommend a visit to Johanesburg for a day or two to take this tour. It is not beautiful and we were very aware that there was a dangerous undercurrent. The armed guards at our hotel gate were the first indication. However, we loved our hotel,the Westcliff, and enjoyed the food and the people we met there and are richer for our day in Johnanesburg.

I would like to return there and see the museum, the diamond and gold mines and see more of Soweto.