South Africa FIFA World Cup 2010 Destinations – Johannesburg

During the months of June and July, football fans from all over the world will be heading to the bustling South African city of Johannesburg in order to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament. Johannesburg is one of nine cities in which 2010 FIFA World Cup matches will be played, but it stands out as a host venue for two important reasons. Firstly, it will be the only one of the nine cities to use two stadiums during the tournament, meaning that it will attract football fans who want to see as much as the action as possible. Secondly, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final will be played there.

Ellis Park Stadium is situated in the centre of Johannesburg and will be the venue for: the first round group matches between Argentina and Nigeria (12 June 2010), Brazil and Korea DPR (15 June 2010), Slovenia and the U.S.A. (18 June 2010), Spain and Honduras (21 June 2010), and Slovakia and Italy (24 June 2010); one of the “round of 16” matches (28 June 2010): and one of the quarter-finals (3 July 2010). 

Soccer City Stadium is situated in the south-west of Johannesburg and will be the venue for: the first round group matches between South Africa and Mexico (11 June 2010), the Netherlands and Denmark (14 June 2010), Argentina and Korea Republic (17 June 2010), Brazil and Cote d’Ivorie (20 June 2010), and Ghana and Germany (23 June 2010); one of the “round of 16” matches (27 June 2010); one of the quarter-finals (2 July 2010); and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final, which will be held on 11 July 2010. 

Although, with so many matches being held within the city, anyone heading to Johannesburg to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament will have a pretty hectic schedule, there are so many tourist attractions there that it’s worth making time to see some of them during your holiday. Even if you only have limited time, make sure that your itinerary includes taking a guided tour of the famous group of townships known as Soweto. Soweto is short for “South Western Townships” and the area was developed during South Africa’s apartheid days in order to house Johannesburg’s black residents. 

Places to visit within Soweto include the Mandela Family Museum, which is in the first house owned by Nelson Mandela. Exhibits within the museum include photographs of Nelson Mandela and his family, together with documents and other artefacts relating to his life. Other Soweto attractions include the Hector Pieterson Memorial Site and Museum, which is dedicated to the 12 year old boy who was killed by police during the 1976 Soweto Uprising, and the Apartheid Museum.

You’ll also find many other historic attractions and museums in the centre of Johannesburg. Constitution Hill is the now the site of the city’s Constitutional Court, but it is also the location of the now disused Old Fort Prison Complex, which was also known as “Number Four”. Both Nelson Mandela and his wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, were imprisoned here, as was Mahatma Gandhi. You can take a guided tour of both the Constitutional Court and the Old Fort Prison Complex. Other museums in Johannesburg include the SAB World of Beer, where you can learn about beer brewing and the history of the South African Breweries Ltd., and the Bernberg Museum of Fashion.

Another popular attraction within the city is Johannesburg Zoo. It’s currently undergoing major redevelopment, but it’s still open and you can see more than 300 species there, including lions, gorillas, bears, crocodiles, chimpanzees and seals. 

If you fancy a spot of shopping during your stay, you’ll find everything from contemporary malls to traditional markets in the city. Johannesburg’s malls include Sandton City, where you’ll find more than 300 stores, including designer names such as Hugo Boss and Christian Lacroix, and Eastgate Shopping Centre, which has more than 250 stores together with restaurants and a cinema complex. For something more traditional, head for the African Craft Market in Rosebank, where you can buy African masks, jewellery, clothes and ceramics, or to one of the city’s many flea markets. 

Johannesburg has some excellent restaurants, particularly in the suburb of Sandton, where you’ll find Le Canard and Auberge Michel, two of the city’s most elegant French restaurants, and Vilamoura, which serves European cuisine and specialises in sea food. For traditional African cuisine, try the Bushveld Pub and Grill in the Craighall suburb or the Whiteboy Shebeen in Sandown. There are also many fast food outlets within the city.

Johannesburg has a wide range of hotels and guest houses, so you should be able to find something to suit your budget. For a touch of luxury, try the 5-star Hilton Sandton or The Michelangelo on Sandton Square. Guest houses in the city include the Ninety North Guest House in Randburg and Clico Guest House in Rosebank.

If you have the time after watching the 2010 FIFA World Cup, you can also extend your holiday by taking a trip to South Africa’s world-famous Kruger National Park, the southern gates of which are only a few hours drive from Johannesburg. It’s the perfect place to go on safari and try to spot the ‘Big Five’: lions, leopards, black rhinos, elephants and buffalo.