An Indian in Johannesburg

Johannesburg is not only the biggest city in South Africa but also considered its vibrant heart. Often referred to as Jo'burg for short, the city has been home to world leaders like Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu and is also famous as Mahatma Gandhi's inspiration for Satyagraha.Top attractions• The Satyagraha House• The Apartheid Museum• Constitution Hill• Gold Reef City• Lesedi Cultural Village• South Western Townships (Soweto)• Monte casino bird park• South African National Museum of Military History• The Cradle of Humankind• Lion Park• Sci-Bono Discovery CentreTop 5 Business Hotels in Johannesburg:The Residence Boutique HotelWebsite: www.theresidence.co.zaAddress: No 17, 4th Avenue Houghton, Johannesburg, South AfricaEmail: info@theresidence.co.zaTelephone: +27 (0)11 853 2480Monarch HotelWebsite: www.monarchhotel.co.zaAddress: 167 Oxford Rd, Johannesburg, 2196, South AfricaEmail: reservations@monarchhotel.co.zaTelephone: +27 (0)41 404 9300Fax: +27 (0)11 341 2030The Peech HotelWebsite: www.thepeech.co.zaAddress: 61 North Street, Melrose, Johannesburg, GautengEmail: reservations@thepeech.co.zaTelephone: +27 (0)11 537 979754 on BathWebsite: www.tsogosun.comAddress: 54 Bath Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South AfricaTelephone: +27 (0)11 461 9744 | 0861 44 77 44Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff JohannesburgWebsite: www.fourseasons.com/johannesburgAddress: 67 Jan Smuts Avenue, P.O. Box 2700, Saxonwold 2132, Johannesburg, South AfricaTelephone: +27 (0)11 481 6000Consulate General of India, JohannesburgDr K.J. SrinivasaConsul Generalcg@indconjoburg.co.zaLocation:No.1, Eton Road(Corner Jan Smuts Avenue & Eton Road) Park Town 2193PO Box 6805Johannesburg 2000South AfricaTelephone : +27 11-4828484/5/6Facsimile : +27 11 482 4648/482 8492http://www.hcisouthafrica.in/hc.php id=CG-JohannesburgBest Times to Visit Johannesburg• The best times to visit Johannesburg are from March to May and September to November.• During these low season months, crowds lessen, prices drop and the weather is relatively warm and dry.• Jo′burg′s Southern Hemisphere location means its winter starts in June and lasts through August, while summer runs from December to February.http://travel.usnews.com/Johannesburg/When_To_Visit/Currency:The South African Rand (R; code: ZAR)1 South African Rand = 5.12 Indian Rupee(As on 1 March, 2017)Public Transportation:Trains• Trains are the cheapest mode of public transport available in Johannesburg, with the Gautrain directly linking OR Tambo International Airport to Pretoria.Car Rental• Renting a car in Johannesburg puts everything in the city within easy reach and gives you the freedom to go where you want.Buses• Getting around Johannesburg is very convenient with buses regularly running on the various routes around the city.e-Tuk Tuk• The latest addition to Joburg's transport network is the enterprising fleet of tuk-tuks based at Sandton Central and Melville.Getting to Johannesburg

• Johannesburg is served by two airports: the major transport hub, OR Tambo International Airport, which is connected to the Gautrain public transport network and the smaller Lanseria Airport.
• Scheduled operators on the Delhi-Johannesburg route are Qatar Airways, Jet Airways, Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM Royal Dutch, Air France, Air India, Air Seychelles, Air China, ASKY Airlines, British Airways
• There are 39 flights flying from Delhi to Johannesburg every day but no direct flights
• The earliest flight from Delhi to Johannesburg is at 00:35:00
• The last flight from Delhi to Johannesburg leaves at 21:55:00

• Banks in South Africa are generally open from 0900 to 1500 on weekdays and 0900 to 1100 on Saturdays.
• Cash isn't the only payment option in South Africa. Most establishments have card facilities and you will be able to pay with your international credit card.
• Many hotels, shops and restaurants also accept travellers' cheques, but it would be wise to confirm with the establishment beforehand. Alternatively, you can exchange your travellers' cheques for local currency at any bank.
• Most shops and businesses are open between 0900 and 1700 on weekdays and on Saturdays until 1300.
• Jo'burg Tourism's operating hours are from 0800 to 1700, Monday to Friday.
• A 10% tip is standard in restaurants. Tables of more than 8 people often have an automatic service charge added to the bill.

• The Satyagraha House, in Johannesburg, was the home of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi from 1908 to 1909. Within these walls, he created and developed his philosophy of passive resistance: Satyagraha in sanskrit. A pacifist method of protest that he employed in India to lead the country to independence.
• There are 10 million trees in Jo′burg, making it the world′s largest man-made, urban forest.
• Johannesburg is the world′s largest city not built on a coastline, or on a lake or river, which is why it is also called the world's biggest 'dry port'. More than half of the cargo that arrives through the ports of Durban and Cape Town arrives at the container terminal at City Deep.
• With the rich archaeological site known as the Cradle of Humankind on the outskirts of the city, it is not surprising that 40% of the planet's human ancestor fossils have been discovered in the Jo'burg area.
• Johannesburg generates 16% of South Africa′s GDP and employs 12% of the national workforce.
• The city is recognised as the financial capital of South Africa and is home to 74% of Corporate Headquarters.
• South Africa's only stock exchange, the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE), rates as one of the top 20 exchanges in the world in terms of market cap.
• Johannesburg has approximately 150 heritage sites, half of which are national monuments.
• Even though Johannesburg is well over 120 years old (founded on 4 October 1886 during the gold rush), it is still one of the youngest major cities in the world.
• The city enjoys an average of 12 hours of sunlight a day.