Africa 2018

This has been our first trip to South Africa, and I must say that we have not been disappointed. I do not know what I expected, but it has been all that and more. We flew the 14 hours to Johannesburg with our friends Jenny and Peter, and we were all looking forward to our African experience. 

Our travel agent Steve organized the Africa component of our trip through a company called Bench Africa. What a hassle free way to travel in a third-world country. We did not have to worry about security or transport, as everything went like clockwork. All tour drivers were punctual and very accommodating. The majority of the tours that we did in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and even Chobe in Namibia, were private- just for the four of us. 

Our first stop in Africa was Johannesburg and after a night’s sleep, we were picked up to do a tour of Soweto (stands for South West Township). It has slum areas, a high unemployment rate and a very sad racial history. 

We saw Nelson Mandela‘s tiny home where he lived before he was incarcerated on Robin Island, and also his latest home where he lived with his wife Winnie. Across the road and down a few blocks from Mandela's original home, Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s current home is located. 

Throughout the country you can see accommodation areas known as Mandela Projects - housing for the poor that are built with solar panels (for power and hot water). They have been a welcome improvement from the hovels many still live in that only have an out house, no bathroom, no running water and no electricity yet house 8 people. Apart from the poor areas, Johannesburg could be mistaken for any large city with its multi-lane highways and modern shopping centers. 

Typical Slum Area