South Africa has three capital cities: Cape Town, the largest of the three, is the legislative capital; Pretoria is the administrative capital; and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital. Johannesburg is the unofficial financial capital of the country.

The discovery of diamonds and later gold in 1886 near the city turned it into a massive boom town and later triggered the conflict known as the 3-year Anglo-Boer War, as the Boers and the British fought for the control of the South African mineral wealth.

Today Joburg is still the powerhouse of RSA—for the middle and upper classes. The majority of black citizens suffer high unemployment, insecurity and still wait for indoor plumbing.

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Hector Pieterson Museum: memorial bricks for people killed in the
Decorated unused power plant cooling tower.
Overview of Soweto and cooling towers.
Playful school kids in Soweto posing for a photo op.
On the way to school (no school buses).
Decorated unused power plant cooling tower.
In one Soweto township is the Nelson Mandela Family Museum
Around the corner from the Mandela Museum is the private
In Soweto is the Hector Pieterson Museum in memory of
In Soweto is the Hector Pieterson Museum in memory of
In Soweto is the Hector Pieterson Museum in memory of
The poorest slums of Soweto.
Hector Pieterson Museum: memorial bricks for people killed in the
Souvenirs for sale outside the Pierterson Museum.
Souvenirs for sale outside the Pierterson Museum.
Huge new stadium being built for the 2010 Soccer World
Huge new stadium being built for the 2010 Soccer World
Another new stadium being built for the 2010 Soccer World
Roadways are being improved in Joburg city for the 2010
Roadways are being improved for the 2010 Soccer World Cup
On the way to work in the morning to make
Most visitors are surprised to know that many people choose
Artistically decorated buildings in Gandhi Square.
Long distance bus terminal with service to anywhere in southern
The Nelson Mandela Bridge in Joburg.
Gold Reef City Theme and History Park: Ferris wheel and
Enormous slag ‘mountains’ built up from the tailings of the
Welcome to Soweto. Tours are given daily to this once-infamous
Most visitors are surprised to know that many people choose
Most visitors are surprised to know that many people choose
Most visitors are surprised to know that many people choose
Gandhi Square is a plaza located in the Central Business
A giant church in the midst of a lower class
Middle class housing (background) and temporary housing for newly arrived
Minibuses are the most common form of transport since most
Mid-level houses.
Mid-level houses.
Cell phone company advert in Soweto. Cell phone are a
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto is one of
The poorest slums of Soweto.
The poorest slums of Soweto.

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