Johannesburg, known as Egoli or the City of Gold, combines apartheid history, street art, Soweto heritage and easy day trips to the Cradle of Humankind and Pretoria.
Johannesburg was founded in 1886 after gold was discovered on the Witwatersrand, drawing miners and migrants from across southern Africa and the world. Its mine-driven economy was built on cheap black labour and racial segregation that became formal apartheid after 1948. Soweto, Sophiatown and Alexandra became centres of resistance, from the 1955 Freedom Charter to the 1976 student uprising. Today the city's heritage sites make it one of Africa's leading centres for liberation-history travel.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Johannesburg.
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1
Early hominins
Australopithecus fossils at Sterkfontein show early human life in the Cradle of Humankind.
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2
Tswana, Sotho and Ndebele communities
Farming and metalworking societies live across the Highveld.
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3
Gold discovered
Gold on the Witwatersrand leads to the founding of Johannesburg within months.
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4
Anglo-Boer War
The war over the Witwatersrand goldfields ends with British control.
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5
Natives Land Act
Legislation restricts black land ownership and shapes later segregation.
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6
Apartheid begins
The National Party introduces legal racial segregation.
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7
Freedom Charter
Adopted at Kliptown in Soweto by the Congress of the People.
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8
Rivonia Trial
ANC leaders including Nelson Mandela are arrested at Liliesleaf Farm and sentenced.
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9
Soweto Uprising
Students protest Afrikaans-medium teaching; Hector Pieterson is killed.
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10
Transition
Mandela is released in 1990; the first democratic election follows in 1994.
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11
Constitutional Court opens
The court opens on the Old Fort site at Constitution Hill.
Historical eras
The chapters of Johannesburg's past.
Pre-colonial and early human era
From Sterkfontein hominins to Sotho and Tswana settlements.
Gold rush
Rapid growth of a mining camp into a major city.
Segregation and apartheid
Pass laws, forced removals and resistance in Soweto and the city.
Democratic South Africa
Reconciliation, urban regeneration and heritage tourism.
Historical sites
Places where Johannesburg's past comes alive.
Apartheid Museum
Museum tracing segregation, resistance and the 1994 transition.
Where: Ormonde
Admission: About R170 (~$10)
Constitution Hill
Former Old Fort and Women's Gaol, now the Constitutional Court and human-rights museum.
Where: Braamfontein
Admission: From about R120 (~$7)
Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum
Memorial to the 1976 Soweto Uprising.
Where: Orlando West, Soweto
Admission: About R50-R100 (~$3-$6)
Mandela House Museum
Nelson Mandela's family home from 1946, now a museum.
Where: Orlando West, Soweto
Admission: About R100-R150 (~$6-$9)
Liliesleaf Liberation Struggle Museum
Rivonia hideout where the ANC leadership was arrested in 1963.
Where: Rivonia
Admission: About R150-R250 (~$9-$15)
Kliptown Freedom Charter Monument
Site of the 1955 Congress of the People and Freedom Charter.
Where: Kliptown, Soweto
Admission: Free
Sterkfontein Caves
Cave system where 'Mrs Ples' and 'Little Foot' fossils were found.
Where: Cradle of Humankind
Admission: About R200-R300 (~$12-$18)
Regina Mundi Church
Soweto's largest Catholic church, a refuge during the 1976 uprising.
Where: Rockville, Soweto
Admission: Free (donation for guides)
Museum Africa
City museum covering Johannesburg's gold-rush and struggle history.
Where: Newtown
Admission: Free or small fee
Origins Centre
Human evolution and San rock-art museum.
Where: Braamfontein (Wits campus)
Admission: About R90 (~$5.50)
Museums
Curated collections that tell Johannesburg's story.
Apartheid Museum
Hours: Reported Wed-Sun 9:00-17:00; confirm at apartheidmuseum.org or +27 11 309 4700
Admission: About R170 (~$10)
Constitution Hill
Hours: Daily 10:00-17:00; constitutionhill.org.za, +27 11 381 3100
Admission: From about R120 (~$7)
Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum
Hours: Daily 10:00-17:00 (confirm)
Admission: About R50-R100 (~$3-$6)
Mandela House Museum
Hours: Daily 9:00-17:00 (confirm); mandelahouse.com
Admission: About R100-R150 (~$6-$9)
Liliesleaf Liberation Struggle Museum
Hours: Daily 9:00-17:00; book ahead at liliesleaf.co.za or +27 11 803 7882
Admission: About R150-R250 (~$9-$15)
Museum Africa
Hours: Tue-Sun 9:00-17:00 (confirm); +27 11 833 5624
Admission: Free or small fee
Origins Centre
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00-16:30; origins.org.za, +27 11 717 4700
Admission: About R90 (~$5.50)
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.
Soweto half-day guided tour
Vilakazi Street, Hector Pieterson Museum and Kliptown with a local guide; book via licensed Soweto operators (see joburg.org.za).
Constitution Hill guided tour
Guided walks through the Old Fort, Number Four and the Women's Gaol; book at constitutionhill.org.za.
Cradle of Humankind day tour
Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng with hotel pick-up from Sandton or Rosebank.
Maboneng and downtown walking tour
Street-art and heritage walk with a guide; book through Maboneng operators via maboneng.com.