The densely populated city of Johannesburg is the country’s financial and commercial heartland. The city has many names, and most of them, like Egoli and Gauteng, mean place of gold. Indeed, gold and, of course, glamour are close companions in this place, which has grown from primitive mine camp to metropolis in little over a century. The city pulsated with entrepreneurial energy while, at the same time, it retains the spirit of a frontier town.

Johannesburg is undergoing considerable change, with the once quiet neighbourhoods of Sandton and Randburg, north of the city, fast becoming fashionable places to live. The city centre, however, has a host of interesting sights.

Johannesburg is not a safe city to explore on foot and with a poor public transport system, visitors are advised to embark on an organized tour.