It’s time to exit and get cultured! If you happen to’re planning a highway journey from Johannesburg to Solar Metropolis, we did some probing and curated a tradition vulture’s dream highway journey. Listed here are some incredible spots to go to for a cultural highway journey from OR Tambo to Solar Metropolis.
Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple
Image: Michelle Brown
Nan Hua is the identify of the South African department of the Humanistic Buddhist order, Fo Guang Shan, which has made it its mission to unfold Humanistic Buddhism to all of the continents on Earth.
The temple is the biggest Buddhist temple and seminary in Africa, positioned roughly 50km east of Pretoria and 70km northeast of Johannesburg in Cultura Park, a suburb of Bronkhorstpruit. Being solely a stone-throw away from OR Tambo Worldwide Airport, this temple makes it an ideal place to start your sightseeing expertise.
The Apartheid Museum
Image: Apartheid Museum
The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg illustrates the period of apartheid and the Twentieth-century historical past of South Africa. The museum, a part of the Gold Reef Metropolis advanced, was opened in November 2001.
It permits guests to be taught extra concerning the racial segregation that occurred throughout apartheid when authorities really separated folks in line with the width of the nostril, the kinks of their hair, and their pores and skin color. It is a nice solution to be taught concerning the historical past of South Africa and the way far we’ve come.
Deal with: Northern Parkway & Gold Reef Highway, Johannesburg, 2001
The Hector Pieterson Memorial
Image: Sunshine Yulanda
This highly effective museum, named after the 12-year-old boy shot useless throughout the scholar protests in Soweto on 16 June 1976, illuminates the position of Sowetan life within the historical past of the independence battle.
It’s a significant cease on all excursions of Soweto and thus is sort of at all times busy. Situated on Khumalo avenue which is a couple of minutes’ strolling distance from the well-known Vilakazi avenue, vacationers and residents alike can discover and go to the various eateries and expertise the kasi way of life of Mzansi’s most well-known township.
Deal with: 8287 Khumalo Rd, Orlando West, Johannesburg, 1804
The Voortrekker Monument
Image: The Voortrekker Monument
The Voortrekker Monument commemorates the historical past of the Afrikaner folks and is without doubt one of the most-visited heritage websites in South Africa.
That includes a singular architectural design that permits the solar to shine by a gap within the dome yearly (on 16 December) to light up the patriotic phrases carved into the cenotaph, which is the symbolic grave of all of the pioneers who died throughout the Nice Trek. The museum accommodates a powerful show of Voortrekker memorabilia, and consists of interactive exhibitions that purpose to objectively clarify the position and contributions of the Afrikaner folks to South Africa.
Mzilikazi’s Grave
Image: South African Historical past On-line
Though it’s the gravesite of his son Nkulumane quite than the Bantu king Mzilikazi himself, this gravesite gives friends a peek into historical past and the relation between Zulu folks and the Tswana tribe.
The story goes that Nkulumane was made chief after Mzilikazi was away on the lookout for extra land and his folks presumed he was useless. After discovering out concerning the betrayal, Mzilikazi killed the individuals who ordained Nkulumane as chief and banished his son to return to KwaZulu-Natal.
In retaliation, Nkulumane helped the Bakwena defeat a rival chief along with his impi by killing the rival king himself. This resulted within the Bakwena persuading him to remain amongst them as a substitute of embanking on a harmful journey again to KwaZulu.
He thus remained within the North West till his well timed loss of life.
Paul Kruger Nation Home Museum
Image: Kedar Heritage Lodge Gallery
Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, affectionately often called ‘Oom Paul’, was the State President of the previous Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek. What chances are you’ll not know, nonetheless, is that earlier than he gained worldwide renown because the face of Boer resistance towards the British throughout the South African Struggle (1899 – 1902), he was a profitable farmer who owned and labored a number of farms within the Rustenburg district.
The property encompasses a set of distinctive historic buildings and gives an enchanting perception into Kruger’s life at a time when South Africa was locked in a battle for sovereignty with the British Empire.
Kruger’s rifle is on show, though it is probably not the one with which he killed a lion on the tender age of 14! Additionally on present are his many bibles, the bellows organ that was performed by his spouse, in addition to quite a few presents given to him by visiting state dignitaries. In shut proximity are household graves, the koppie the place he sought spiritual steerage and the saddle within the hills the place he hid his horses from British forces.
Deal with: Non-public Bag 1, Rustenburg, 0309
Contact: 014 573 3218
Mphebatho Cultural Museum
Image: South African Tourism
The Mphebatho Cultural Museum close to Solar Metropolis in North West province is a community-owned repository that preserves and paperwork the lifestyle of the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela folks, capturing their essence and tradition for generations to return.
The museum which occupies a Nineteen Thirties schoolhouse gives travellers an outline of a conventional African lifestyle.
Friends will likely be immersed within the lives of the Bakgatla by photographic shows, folklore, clay pottery, artefacts, conventional apparel and documentary proof on show within the museum.
The Bakgatlha-ba-Kgafela persons are led by King Pilane of the Pilane clan, after which the Pilanesberg Nationwide Park was named.
Deal with: 499 Moruleng Blvd, Moruleng, 0300
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Ensure you additionally take a look at the ten final issues to do in Cullinan!
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