Just like Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Statue of Liberty in New York and Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Apartheid Museum (R30/S$4.62 per entry) should be considered as a MUST-DO in Joburg. Located beside Gold Rift City (its management had to agree to build/maintain the museum before a license to run the casino could be awarded by the government), it boasts a sizable amount of exhibits about the dark period in South Africa's history that threatens to leave every visitor with a heavy impression and sense of disbelief that something this dark could actually happened.

Apartheid, or separateness (in Afrikaans), is the system of forced segregation or discrimination on grounds of race in South Africa. Taking place "officially" (though there was already discrimination exhibited during the colonial times) from 1948 to 1991, it attempts to segregate and classify all inhabitants/visitors into racial groups (e.g. black, white or coloured) so as to ensure the formalisation and expansion of existing policies into a system of institutionalised racism and white domination. While I shall not go into the details, one word explains (as it would usually be for the most absurd events that could have ever happened in world history) the rationale of all this; fear (of losing interests and control).

The museum systematically depicts the history of Apartheid, tracing the roots that emerged while South Africa was still a British colony till it was finally declared over when democratic elections were finally held in 1994. The tour would ultimately conclude at a large field with orderly rows of neatly trimmed grass; a quiet place for one to reflect on. I would propose at least half a day for the museum but 2 hours would be sufficient if one does not read the descriptions on the exhibits.

Slept so much that evening and woke up at 3am feeling all dazed. Went to central Joburg and saw the Nelson Mandela Bridge. It is essential to note "my" entire trip in Joburg was reduced to car journeys well escorted by 2 locals; this is of course very different from previous trips. Joburg was considered to be too dangerous; people were getting mugged or raped all the time(?). Just as we were discussing about this, we heard shots as if they were fired from a gun. We were startled but realised it was actually fireworks as ignited by the local Chinese community in celebration of Lunar New Year. I thought about home immediately and felt strange for not being with my family.