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The central area of Johannesburg may not offer much from an architectural point of view, but its historical and cultural value is immense. Here you can trace the stories of the local populations who have lived in this area for hundreds and even thousands of years, the impact of colonization, and above all the legacy of Apartheid. The tour led by Sean allows you to discover all of this in just a few hours, with great expertise. It starts at Constitution Hill, home of today’s Constitutional Court but once a notorious prison that caused immense suffering, not only during Apartheid. This site brings to life the stories of major figures such as Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, and even Mahatma Gandhi, whose life is surprisingly connected to South Africa. The visit then continues to the Africa Museum, the final stop of the tour, which highlights the traditions and histories of local populations and illustrates the country’s path from segregation to democracy. As a guide, Sean provides a truly comprehensive perspective. He not only explains the historical facts but also answers questions about the current evolution of South African society, culture, and politics. In just one morning, it was possible to gain a deep and meaningful overview of both the city and the country. Many thanks to Sean for his knowledge and ability to bring this journey to life.
Sean guided us through Maboneng, which truly is a hidden gem. This part of Johannesburg was once completely abandoned, but over the years it has been revitalized through art, culture, and entertainment. It is a safe area—we visited during the day, the tour started at noon, and even though it wasn’t very crowded (it was a Monday), we never felt unsafe. On the contrary, we discovered a neighborhood that, through its impressive and colorful street art, is finding new life and creating real opportunities for local people to work and showcase their crafts. Sean was an expert guide. He clearly explained, with facts and by showing us the neighborhood itself, that the perception of Maboneng as a dangerous area belongs to the past. As our taxi driver also pointed out, it is mainly the older generations of Johannesburg who still remember how it used to be. We strongly recommend not only visiting Maboneng if you are in Johannesburg, but visiting it specifically with Sean.
Thabo introduced us to some of the hidden sides of Soweto. He started the tour in a place where tourists usually don’t go, one that holds the history of the so-called youth uprising. While walking through this museum, a true place of memory, he explained aspects of Soweto linked to the kinds of people who live there, the way they interact with each other, and even showed us a detailed map of the area. What stood out most was how he connected us with the local culture, even through food: for the first time since we arrived in South Africa, we had the chance to taste real local cuisine, ending the tour at an excellent restaurant. We also visited Mandela’s house, saw Desmond Tutu’s house from the outside, and throughout the experience Thabo kept sharing valuable insights. Beyond his deep knowledge, he was always willing to explain the way of life here. Thank you, Thabo—you truly deserve the 5 stars we gave you.
As you would desire your best friend to explain to you his city: Bruna gave us plenty of information, introducing us to Rio not as tourists but as residents. Hidden places, the dos’ and dont’s, beautiful places for walking and for pictures, in a long and rich tour we really enjoyed. She almost protected us giving highlights and escorting us to the taxi we took to get back home, “so I’m sure you are safe”. And with Bruna you will never have to stand up in a line….
