This post is to share a bit of South Africa’s rich culture with you and to, more importantly, educate and inform you about Johannesburg and it’s wondrous history.
Many people who haven’t been to Johannesburg, or Jozi as it is locally called, can become confused as the area of Johannesburg actually extends over a vast expanse and is actually made up of many smaller areas.
When people refer to the “Johannesburg CBD” they are referring to the area/s in and around Newtown/Braamfontein but more specifically Berea and Hillbrow.
There have been many stories shared over a pint or five of where and where not to go when visiting South Africa and Berea/Hillbrow appear high on the list. However, I feel the misconceptions around these areas are just so because people are actually too afraid to step outside of their comfort zone and really get to know their world around them.
The Ponte and Hillbrow tours are run by a social enterprise called “Dlala Nje” which when translated to English means, “Let’s Play”. You can find out more about who they are, the different tours offered and how you could possibly help make a difference HERE
The Ponte building was built in the mid-'70s to house the richest and most affluent white members of society. At the time the apartheid regime was strong in South Africa and people of different races were not allowed to live freely together or engage with one another unless it was for work.
In stark contrast to today, Yeoville, Berea, and Hillbrow were considered areas only for rich, wealthy whites and it was due to a demand for housing for an increasing population that the Ponte tower was built.
There were some black people who were allowed to live there, but only on the last 2 floors, and without access to lifts.
As time went on the people living in Ponte and/or coming in from surrounding areas started mixing and dating and 9 months later “mixed race” babies were born which outraged the apartheid government.
Their form of retaliation was to cut off all commodities and services to the 3 areas and it was this move that caused their ultimate demise.
Slowly but surely Ponte started falling apart from the inside out.
As commodities were now cut off people had nowhere to throw their rubbish that didn’t require a long walk, and people can be lazy, so what did they do?
Well, Ponte is cylindrical in structure and open in the middle so people started throwing their rubbish out of their windows and sometimes, themselves.
Over the years the building was also dealt owners in various rounds, from being overtaken by gangsters who would, in turn, exploit the vulnerable, to being sold to shady investors who promised to fix it up and bring it back to the Ponte it once was, to going back to the original owners.
You can view some of my shaky camera footage showing the bottom of the tower HERE
Today the Ponte tower has been restored to 35% of its former glory and is known as Ponte City Apartments.
The apartments are still available to live in but strictly on a rental basis.
However, maybe due to years of mismanagement and neglect or maybe due to a far bigger problem in the world, the building still faces an overcrowding problem as many of these apartments are still sublet.
So there are empty apartments available but also lived-in apartments that are far overcrowded because an illegal immigrant will rather 1, pay rent to someone who won’t ask questions and 2, pay a significantly smaller portion of money for a space to sleep and just contend with living that way and 3, the people able to make extra money by subdividing their space aren’t complaining.
The Dlala Nje tours are offered almost daily and it is really worth your while to visit this historical venue and learn about life from the locals.
Yes, by all means, visit Sandton City and visit Melrose Arch, but those are known tourist areas and as such, I feel are embellished somewhat.
If you want a true taste of life from someone who may breathe the same air as you but has a completely different story to their upbringing, please do this tour.
If you are coming to Johannesburg please feel free to message me and we can meet up. I’ll gladly take you around and show you some great spots.
