I spent 2 weeks in South Africa last fall on business.
I was quite lucky, because I was sent over with a guy from work who a) used to live there, and b) didn’t mind taking me around and showing me things.
We were working in Witbank which is a coal mining town about 2 hours south east of Joberg. There wasn’t much too do in Witbank, but luckily we were staying in a great guesthouse, with great hosts, good food, and it’s very own English pub.
The whole experience was quite eye-opening for me and like nothing I had ever been exposed to before. Most residences, including where we stayed, were completely gated with high fences and electric wiring at the top, as well as armed guards at the entrance. Driving around was filled with tension once I heard about the regular carjackings. A night out at the pub found me chatting with locals and silently observing the fall-out and in some ways, the continuance of the old Apartheid.
With a weekend to spare in between our 2 work weeks, George and I made our way to Johanesburg to catch up with some friends of his. The first night was 3 of us over several bottles of good South African red whines, and the second was at a poolside brai with a larger group who only made me drink two shots of straw rum. 
We also had a chance to check out a big 5 game park, where I saw all but elephants. It was feeding time when we arrived so most of the wildlife were quite active.
I was also encouraged to try an interesting whisky desert, savanna dry, Steers burger, and billtong. I got to witness a money drop like no other and spent every minute watching as if I were about to witness a major heist go down. Armored vehicles and dudes with machine guns and everything. Crazy.
I’ve posted photos here.
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