The Hooligans spent Saturday morning playing tourist in their own city. The Jozi Mozi was organized by the African Club of Explorers (ACE) who did an amazing job of playing tour guide and part shepherd to a group of slightly overenthusiastic Hooligans.
Walking through Jozi is a completely different way of experiencing this amazing city. It allows you to take notice of the small things that you can't when you're in a car.
We walked from Melle street to a nearby gallery, Umuzi Photo Club, where we learnt about a group of young activists who use photography as a means to inform, educate and protest. These activists are truly inspiring.
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| Nelson Mandela Bridge |
Weird fact: The biggest threat to pigeons in Jozi is weave hair. Their feet get caught in it and they die from infection caused by a lack of blood circulation. Sad panda face :(
Moving on, we walked across Nelson Mandela bridge which happens to be the longest cable-stayed bridge in Southern Africa. After losing the group for a while to take some video we made it to the Market Theatre where we caught the end of the informative part and the beginning of the playing-the-fool part. Mary Fitzgerald square is dry and dull in autumn and it is a real shame that Museum Africa is quite run down at the moment. Some rejuvenation is defiantly needed to keep this historic part of the city alive.
Onto Anglo park where you can almost taste the money and power of that area in the air. Even if you do not agree with this company they have managed to create one of the prettiest and enjoyable walkways in the city.
Next was lunch at the Guild Hall which happens to be the oldest pub in Jozi. We feasted on chicken, steak and a cheese and tomato tramezzini for our resident vegetarian while resting our feet and enjoying a cold draught.
After this I can only write from conjecture and hearsay. (I left to have lunch with my sister).
Lunch ended and the three remaining Hooligans headed on for what I have heard was an epically long walk to the outskirts of the Muti market but did not venture in after Robyn almost stood in a decaying rat.
After that debacle they headed to the Carlton Centre which has been the tallest building an Africa for 38 years. The views are awe-inspiring and next time you are up there you should try to count all the Coca-Cola signs you can.
Heading back they caught a Rea Vaya bus back to Braamfontein.
All in all it was a great tour that showed us how much we don't actually know about our beautiful city.
Under the grime and bad reputation Jozi is truly an amazing city with incredible diversity.
Thanks to ACE for a great tour and a fantastic day.
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Check out the Umuzi Photo Club on twitter and Facebook.
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