Description

Procedure

Atamela’s ‘Contrast’ Tour begins with an in-depth visit to Sandton and Alexandra, the richest and poorest sections of the city. Riding through the opulence of Sandton, you will see how the most well-to-do residents live. As you leave, you will immediately enter Alexandra, called “Alex” by the residents. You will visit two shanty homes and interact with the residents to find out how they cope with their extreme poverty and the oppressive living conditions — no water and very cramped space.
This tour will take you through Sandton and Alexandra, Johannesburg city center and Soweto will show in stark reality the inequalities that still exist. As you visit the people, you will be amazed at how these two communities embody the freedom and reconciliation that was won at such a high price.
Then you will explore the fascinating “City of Gold” – Johannesburg, South Africa. With the stunning panoramic view of Johannesburg from the Bidvest Stadium at WITS as a backdrop, your local guide will relate the history of the gold strike that birthed a nation, the imperialism that threatened it, the discrimination that almost destroyed it, and the indomitable human spirit that saved it and made it free.
After a riding tour of downtown Johannesburg, including the famous historical Diamond Building, City Hall, and the Star newspaper building we proceed to Maboneng precinct, a destination on the eastern side of the city’s business district offering retail stores, entertainment venues and restaurants mixed with residential, office and industrial spaces that appeal to a wide variety of people and businesses. A creative take on history, architecture, art and nature, as well as a place for people to proudly call home, Maboneng is the epicenter of the Johannesburg inner-city renaissance.
We proceed to Soweto where you will experience another stark contrast of lifestyles as you ride through Diepkloof Extension, the rich suburb, which is home to many professionals and millionaires en route to the thousands of modest homes and shanties that make up the bulk of the township.
At the entrance to Soweto, an introductory briefing on how and why Soweto was developed will help you feel the deep connection between Johannesburg and Soweto.
You will see some of the first houses that were built in 1904 and are still standing, as well as the men’s hostel built during the mining era for men coming to Johannesburg to “strike it rich.” The “gold fever” that gripped the area had a deep effect on families of every race and lifestyle; your guide will point out the evidence of its continued influence.
Drive past the Orlando power station built to supply Johannesburg with electricity and not Soweto. Short stopover at Vista University. Stopover at Fred Clark ex Salvation Army training college and my first home in Soweto.
Visit Mandela Family House Museum at Vilakazi Street in Orlando West, this neighborhood used to be a home to many political activists like Desmond Tutu, Mandela, Sisulu to name a few.
Depart from Soweto back to the northern suburbs.