The city of Johannesburg, also fondly referred to as Joburg, is considered the heart of South Africa. Known for being the economic center of the country, it seems as though the city is constantly on the move, growing both economically and culturally as time passes by.

There’s always something to do in Johannesburg, whether you’re there for business or pleasure. All you have to do to fit in is learn a little bit about the culture and find your way around.

When to Visit Johannesburg

Due to its relatively high elevation, the city of Johannesburg is lucky enough to experience a pleasantly mild temperature year round. Summer days and evenings are all very warm and evenings are very mild as well with temperatures averaging around 25 degrees Celsius (or a moderate 77 degrees Fahrenheit). The winter months, with temperatures averaging between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius (or 64 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit), tend to be the rainiest but even then the days are not very humid.

Cutting through the Red Tape

Foreigners visiting other countries should, of course, take special care to ensure they have the proper paperwork before leaving home. If you are visiting Johannesburg, or anywhere in South Africa, from the United States, Australia, European Union, Japan, Leichtenstein, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, or Switzerland you will need nothing more than a passport – a visa is not required. Visitors from anywhere else in the world should apply for a visa from the closest South African embassy at least 4 weeks before embarking on their journeys.

Speaking the Language in Johannesburg and South Africa

Throughout South Africa you’ll find that there are more than 11 official languages and you’ll hear all of them on Johannesburg. These include English, Zulu, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Tswana, Swati, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Tsonga, and Vendi. While it’s nice to learn a few local phrases you’ll find it is relatively easy to communicate in English, as long as you are fluent in the language. Never attempt to speak to a stranger in Afrikaans, as this was the language used before the Nationalist Government was overturned in the early 90’s and some people find the dialect to be offensive. Learning a few phrases of Zulu and Xhosa will prove helpful as you travel.

Basic Zulu phrases, for example, include:

• Sawubona – hello
• Hamba Kahle – goodbye, see you later
• Ukudla – food
• Isiphuzo – drink
• Bonga – thanks

Of course, as with most countries, there are some standard slang phrases you might find helpful to know as well. You’ll find these words and phrases are common across all of South Africa and learning a few will make communicating a bit easier. For example:

• Robot – traffic light
• Howzit? – a commonly used greeting
• Eish – a common exclamation used in place of “oh no,” or “my goodness”
• Lekka chow – a good meal
• Brah or broe – your best friend
• Egoli – a common slang name used for Johannesburg

Hot Attractions in Johannesburg

There are dozens of incredible attractions to keep you occupied throughout Johannesburg – some indoors and some out. Make sure you include at least a few of these as you plan your itinerary so that you’re able to get a feeling for what life was like as the city, and country, formed.

At the Apartheid Museum, for example, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about life in Johannesburg during the 70’s and 80’s – a time when political unrest was prevalent. The museum is one of the most powerful tourist attractions in the city, featuring installations and images portraying apartheid scenes as people from all over the country flocked to Johannesburg from surrounding townships in search of safety.

Constitution Hill is yet another powerful tourist attraction, depicting what life was like for prisoners during the apartheid days. Visitors will learn about daily living conditions inside the jails, view the food areas, and even witness the toilets where prisoners had to go in plain view of others while worrying about contracting diseases like typhoid or enteric fever. Prisoners lived in dehumanizing conditions, were brutalized, and were denied basic life necessities.

No trip to Johannesburg is complete without a trip to the Johannesburg Zoo. The zoo started out over 100 years ago as nothing but a small park and has grown into one of the largest public venues in Johannesburg. The collection consists of more than 2,070 animals representing over 365 species of animal life. The zoo, which specializes in providing medical care to animals, offers dozens of great educational programs designed to entertain visitors of all ages.

The city of Johannesburg is rich with history and culture representing all of South Africa – from its earliest days to today. You won’t regret spending a few days exploring all that the city has to offer.