Travel Through Books: Johannesburg, South Africa

by Jalisa Whitley | May 15, 2024 | Blogs, Booked Trips Travel Tips

Travel Through Books is BOOKED Trips travel guide series that goes deeper into some of our favorite cities guided by literature. We select books by authors around the world that speak to the history, culture, and energy of the cities helping tourists go beyond the guidebooks to better understand the places we visit.

Welcome to Johannesburg, South Africa! Johannesburg, or Jozi as its sometimes referred to be locals, pulsates with a vibrant energy unlike any other. Johannesburg’s literary scene is rich with the voices of those who challenged the injustices of apartheid. Writers like Steve Biko, Miriam Tlali, and Nadine Gordimer exposed the dehumanizing effects of racial segregation. Poets like Mongane Wally Serote used their words as weapons, giving voice to the voiceless. Their works are a crucial part of understanding the city’s tumultuous past.

Our literary journey through the city, guided by Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, will be a journey of contrasts. We’ll explore the bustling streets of Maboneng Precinct, a testament to urban renewal, venture into Soweto, a place steeped in history and resilience, explore the stories of Yeoville through food, and explore the upscale neighborhood of Rosebank.

WHAT TO READ:

Imagine being born a crime in a place where the color of your skin dictates your destiny. That’s the reality Trevor Noah confronts in his hilarious and heartbreaking memoir, Born a Crime. Johannesburg becomes the backdrop for this coming-of-age story set against the dying days of apartheid in South Africa.

Trevor Noah, the son of a Black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father, was an anomaly in a racially segregated nation. With his mother, Trevor navigated the vibrant chaos of Soweto, a township teeming with resilience and a strong sense of community. Yet, the ever-present threat of apartheid forced them to live on the fringes, his existence a constant defiance of the law. Born a Crime is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity. Trevor’s mother emerges as a powerful figure, a woman who defied societal norms to raise her son with love and laughter in the face of hardship.

WHERE TO STAY:

WHAT TO DO:

Learn the history of South Africa through one its many museums including the Hector Pieterson Museum, Mandela House, or the Apartheid Museum.
Go on a book crawl. Check out Bridge Books, Book Circle Capital, Commune, Love Books, or David Krut bookstore, For second hand books head to L’Elephant Terrible or Collector’s Treasury, the largest shop selling rare and used books in Africa.
First Sunday sat Victoria Yards, a collection of abandoned warehouses transformed into a thriving community hub of artist studios, urban agriculture, pop-up dining and small businesses.
Grab lunch, check out art galleries, or shop at 44 Stanley, a boutique lifestyle destination,
Go on a safari in Pilansberg, less than 3 hours from Johannesburg.
Go on a tour of Maboneng, with Curiocity to explore the art and creativity of this neighborhood.
Do a cooking experience in Soweto at Lebo’s

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK:

Want help designing your dream trip? We plan private experiences! We have existing group itineraries in Cape Town, South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Accra, Ghana, Cartagena, Colombia, Bogota, Colombia, Mexico City, Mexico, and Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica that can be customized. Fill out our private trip interest form or email jalisa@bookedtrips.com for more information.