Population:

5 million

Currency:

1 Rand = 100 cents

Opening hours:

Mall shopping hours are generally 09.00-17.00/18.00 Monday to Saturday, and 09.00-14.00 on Sundays. Most museums and galleries are closed on Mondays.

Internet:

www.joburg.org.za www.gauteng.net www.southafrica.net www.southafrica.info

Newspapers:

The Star, Johannesburg’s oldest English-language daily newspaper, has a Tonight listings supplement. The weekly (Friday) Mail & Guardian has extensive What’s On listings. The Sowetan City Press Business Day

Emergency numbers:

Jo’burg Connect

Tel: +27 (0)11 375 5911

(Accidents, Fire, Medical, Crime)

10111 Police 10177 Ambulance

Tourist information:

Gauteng Tourism Authority Address: 1 Central Place. Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown Open: 09.00-17.00 Monday-Friday Tel: +27 (0)11 639 1600

JOHANNESBURG

PUBLISHING DATE: 2010-02-05 | COUNTRY CODE: ZA

Contents: The City, Do & See, Eating, Cafés, Bars & Nightlife, Shopping, Sleeping, Essential Information, Maps

Copyright © 2007 Fastcheck AB. All rights reserved. For more information visit: www.arrivalguides.com

JOHANNESBURG

Vibrant, ever-changing, fabulously wealthy, desperately poor vast, multi-faceted Johannesburg flings contrasts at you from every angle. Trees line streets where houses hide their manicured gardens and pristine blue swimming pools behind high white walls miles of shacks tell of the effects of the apartheid years, still to be overcome. The air of Africa’s most dynamic city vibrates with music and buzzes with business while its stylish restaurants, elegant shops, art galleries and theatres delight the international visitor.
THE CITY

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Cosmopolitan Johannesburg (known as Jo’burg or Jozi) sprawls for miles, sprouting upper-income suburbs like satellite towns – one of them, sophisticated Sandton, is the business and economic capital of South Africa. Soweto, home to most of Johannesburg’s black population, lies to the southwest, a 20 square km conglomeration of townships with homes that range from millionaire mansions and neat middle-income housing to the tin shacks of squatter camps.

The city built on gold has seen its landmark yellow mine dumps recycled and replaced by skyrise buildings and glitzy shopping malls, and its recent apartheid history remembered in superb new museums. Soaring chrome and glass buildings, housing opulent international hotels and corporate giants, pepper the leafy streets of a string of exclusive northern suburbs– among them rich Rosebank, elite Sandhurst, bohemian Melrose Village and foody Greenside. Across a canopy of green, the horizon is spiked by the outline of downtown Johannesburg, slowly stirring from its no-go dilapidation. Six-lane highways and swirling freeways indicate the importance of the car.

Museumafrica

From rock art to the struggle against apartheid, South Africa’s history is well presented in the old fruit market.

Address: 121 Bree Street Phone: +27 (0)11 833 5624.

Apartheid Museum

Visually stunning multi-media displays and personal accounts reveal the reality of South Africa’s recent history. Powerful and unforgettable.

Address: Go/d Reef Road, Ormonde Phone: +27 (0)11 309 4700 Internet:’ www.aparthe/dmuseum.org

Soweto

A guided tour of the townships is a must-do. Major sights include Vilakasi Street, where the Mandelas once lived (their little house is a museum); Archbishop Tutu has a home, the Hector Pieterson Museum, dedicated to the 1976 student uprisings;

and Regina Mundi church, which also bears its resistance scars. Eat at Sakhumzi’s, the Italian-style Nambitha, or trendy Wandi’s Place. An overnight stay in one of the excellent B&Bs could prove the highlight of your trip.

Sobona Tours

Phone: +27 (011) 986 8451 +27 (0)82 728 7716 Internet:’ sobonatours@Aburst.co.za

Market Theatre Complex

The cultural heartbeat of the city in the revitalised Newtown area downtown.

Address:’ 121 Bree Street Phone: +27 (0)11 832 1641 Internet:’ www.markettheatre.co.za

Gold Reef City

Theme park, with casino, rides and giant rollercoaster, on a former gold mine. Museums, craft and curio shops are housed in replica buildings of the 1890 gold rush days, tours go deep into the tunnels around the Number 14 shaft. See traditional miners’ gumboot dancing in the theatre.

Address:’ Go/d Reef Road, Ormonde Phone: +27 (0)11 248 6800 Internet: wwwgo/dreefc/ty.co.za

Goodman Gallery

Works by contemporary South African artists.

Address: 163 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood Phone: +27 (0)11 788 1113 Internet: www.goodman-ga//ery.com

Mai Mai Muti Market

Herbs and healers – a mind-boggling array

In this cosmopolitan city of myriad cuisines you’ll find traditional Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Indian and Chinese through to authentic Thai and Argentinean. South Africans are great meat eaters, so steak houses flourish. Greenside is packed with smart restaurants, but all the northern suburbs have their stars. Melville, Parktown North, Melrose Arch and trendy Parkhurst are particularly good locations.

Le Canard

Elegant and romantic with flower-filled courtyards, timeless dishes served with style.

Address: 163 R/von/a Road, Morn/ngs/de Phone: +27 (0)11 884 4597 Internet: www./ecanard.co.za

Linger Longer

In a mining magnate’s converted mansion, classic décor and top class cuisine and service. Book well ahead.

Address: 58 W/erda Road, W/erda l/a//ey, Sandton Phone: +27 (0)11 884 0465.

Moyo Melrose Arch

Eclectic African décor, bright and lively. Smart food.

Address: 5 Me/rose Square, Me/rose Arch, Me/rose Phone: +27 (0)11 684 1477 Internet: www.moyo.co.za

Anno Domini

Trendy restaurant with an open air dining area upstairs. Booking essential.

Address: Fourth Avenue, Parkhurst Phone: +27 (0)11 447 7634.

The Singing Fig

Imaginative dishes served up to a trendy clientele. Multi-award-winning.

Address: 44 The Avenue, Norwood Phone: +27 (0)11 728 2434 Internet: www.s/ng/ngf/g.co.za

The Butcher Shop And Grill

Boasts some of the best steaks in town -game, ostrich, pork, lamb and beef. Booking essential.

Address: N/e/son Mande/a Square, Sandton Phone: +27 (0)11 784 8676

Bukhara

Fine North Indian cuisine, well patronised by Jo’burg’s affluent Indian community.

Address: N/e/son Mande/a Square, Sandton Phone: +27 (0)11 883 5555. Internet: www.bukhara.com

Al Dente

Family-friendly ristorante, Italian favourites and homemade desserts.

Address: 173 Rochester P/ace, R/von/a Road Phone: +27 (0)11 783 9989 Internet: www.a/dente.co.za

Gramadoelas

Pan-African dishes, including the Cape Malay favourite, bobotie, which mixes minced meat with dried apricots and light spices.

Address: Bree Street, Newtown Phone: +27 (0)11 838 6960 Internet: www.gramadoe/as.co.za

Sakhumzi’s Restaurant

Traditional African food, shady trestle tables on the grass.

Address: Vffakaz/ Street, Or/ando West, Soweto Phone: +27 (0)11 939 4427. Internet: www.sakhumz/.co.za

Golden Peacock

Authentic Indian curries amid bargain shopping and busy tailors.

Address: Oriental P/aza (east entrance), P/ne Street, Fordsburg Phone: +27 (0)11 836 4986.

EXCLUSIVE

La Belle Terrasse And The Loggia

Fantastic views – including elephants in the zoo below – opulent colonial decor, terrific food. Famed for its Sunday brunch.

Address: The Westc/fff Wote/, 67 Jan Smuts Avenue, Westc/fff Phone: +27 (0)11 481 6000 Internet: wwwwestc/fffco.za

MID-RANGE Carnivore

Ravenous meat eaters sit around a big open fire and tuck into wild game – eland, zebra, springbok, kudu and crocodile -carved off Masai spears.

Address: Drfft Bou/evard, Wu/dersdrfft Phone: +27 (0)11 950 6000 Internet: www.carn/vore.co.za

BUDGET The Loft

Imaginative dishes on a seasonal menu, fun décor, good atmosphere.

Address: 7th street, Melville Phone: +27 (0)11 482 8986.

CAFÉS

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Café Kafé

Trendy cross between restaurant and tea garden.

Address/ Village Walk Centre, Maude Street, Sandton

Café Flo

Original fusion dishes; great for people-watching.

Address/ 116 Greenway, Greensfde.

The Full Stop Café

Relaxed atmosphere, cosy décor, variety on the menu.

Address/ 7he Cobb/es, 4th Avenue, Parkhurst.

Giles

Named after the British cartoonist, serves English food, and is famed for its weekend brunch on the terrace.

Address/ 9 Grafton Avenue, Crafghaff Park.

The Service Station

Salads and quiches, paid for by weight.

From the sleek bars of top hotels to shebeens (informal drinking places, usually in someone’s front room) in Soweto, whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Jozi.

Jozi has a very lively nightlife. Melville’s Seventh Street is popular with night owls; Rosebank, Rivonia, Norwood and Orange Grove attract the more affluent party crowd. Soweto has crowded bars and live jazz, but it is only advisable to go there on an organised tour.

Radium Beer Hall

One of the city’s oldest pubs, noisy and full of character, serves good food, myriad beers and live jazz.

Address:’ 282 ioufs Botha Avenue, Orange Grove Internet:’ www.theradfum.co.za

Buzz 9

Quirky and trendy, famed for its long list of cocktails.

Address:’ Seventh Street, Melville.

Xai Xai

Friendly bar/lounge with Mozambique theme. This bar attracts media types and an alternative crowd.

Address:’ Seventh Street, Melville.

Katzy’s At The Grillhouse

Trendy venue based on American piano bars, soft classical music and a blues band.

Address/ 7he F/rs, Oxford Road, Rosebank.

Moyo Newtown

A smart place to be, with its signature African décor, live music and pan-African food. Kippies, the legendary jazz club, is next door.

Address/ Market Theatre, 121 Bree Street, Newtown Internet/ www.moyo.co.za

Montecasino

Replica Tuscan village with restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs and a casino.

Address/ 230 W/tkoppen Road, Fourways Internet/ www.montecasÁno.co.za

Bassline

Popular live local jazz, kwaito and blues band venue.

Address/ 10 Henry Nxuma/o Street, Newtown Internet/ w^w^w^.bass/ine.co.za

The Blues Room

Highly rated live music venue; an American-style club.

Address/ l/iV/age Wa/k, R/vonza Road, Sandton Internet/ www.b/uesroom.co.za

Tanz Café

Dance café/bar mixes European and Argentinean sounds.

Address/ 7he R/ver Road, R/vers/de Internet/ www.tanzcafe.freeservers.com

Café Vogue

Hip hop and R&B on Thursdays, fusion on Fridays. Two dance floors. Smart casual.

Address/ Ninth Road, R/voma

Carfax

Alternative venue showcasing music, theatre and dance.

Address/ 39      Street, Newtown

Back2basix

Eclectic mix of live bands, student-friendly drink prices.

Address: Lancaster Road, Westdene Internet:’ www.back2bas/x.co.za

Moloko

The slick power crowd churns on the dance floor to acid jazz, RnB, hip-hop and retro funk. Dress code.

Address: 160 Jan Smuts Ave. Corner 7th, Rosebank. Internet:’ wwwmo/oko/oburg.com

SHOPPING

From upmarket malls to street markets, via designer fashion, crafts, curios and lovely things for the home, Johannesburg is a paradise for shoppers.

Mall culture distinguishes this city of dedicated shoppers. Sandton City and its adjacent Nelson Mandela Square is one of the largest shopping centres in the southern hemisphere. The packed African Crafts Market is next to the stylish Mall of Rosebank, which takes on new vibes on Sundays and public holidays when the lively Rooftop Market is in full swing.

Norwood’s Grant Avenue is good for antiques and Parkhurst’s Fourth Avenue for collectables and interior design. Go to The African Toyshop on Stanley Avenue, Milpark, for toys as works of art Art Africa on Tyrone Avenue in Parkview for a dazzling array of ethnic arts and crafts and Kim Sacks Gallery in Parkwood for excellent tribal African art.

With its bewildering array of stalls and goods, sprawling Bruma Flea Market in Bedfordview is quite an experience. It is open daily, except Monday, from 08.00-18.00. Held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings, the Michael Mount Organic Village Market on Bryanston Drive, Sandton, sells only handcrafted goods and organically produced foods, and its tea garden is restful.

Keep all the receipts of your shop purchases, as visitors can reclaim the VAT tax paid on departure at the airport.

SLEEPING

Address/ 1 To//p Street, Melville Phone/ +27 (0)11 482 5435 Internet/ www.aroomw/thav/ew.co.za

Sunnyside Park Hotel

Set in English-style gardens and oozing colonial history.

Address/ Ponce of Wa/es Terrace, Parktown Phone/ +27 (0)11 640 0400 Internet/ www./egacyhote/s.co.za

BASIC Rivonia B&b

With 20 bedrooms in peaceful surroundings. Self-catering facilities available.

Address/ 3 R/ver Road, R/von/a

Phone/ +27 (0)11 803 2790, Doub/e room/ from R550 Internet/ wwwr/von/abb.co.za

33 On First Bed & Breakfast

Cheerful rooms in a trendy suburb of restaurants and boutiques.

Address/ 33 First Avenue, Melville Phone/ +27 (0)11 726 7172 Internet/ w^w^w^.33onf7rst^.co.za

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

EXCLUSIVE The Saxon

Celebrity favourite, with individually furnished suites reflecting the arts and crafts of Africa.

Address/ 36 Saxon Road, Sandhurst Phone: +27 (0)11 292 6000 Internet/ www.thesaxon.com

Melrose Arch Hotel

Hip 5-star luxury within a lifestyle development of shops and restaurants.

Address/ 1 We/rose Arch Square, We/rose Arch Phone/ +27 (0)11 214 6666 Internet/ www.afr/canpr/dehote/s.com

GOOD VALUE

A Room With A View

Spectacular guesthouse in the style of an Italian villa, with 12 individually furnished rooms and great views.

Airport

OR TAMBO International Airport is Africa’s busiest and best airport, and has 24-hour facilities. It is 25km east of the city.

Minibus shuttles and metered taxis can be booked in the baggage claim area. The hotels of Rosebank and Sandton are a 30-45 minute drive from the airport. Most hotels offer shuttle services.

Itram call centre for details of routes, timetables and rates/

Phone/ +27 (0)11 390 1243 A/rport he/prfesk te// +27 (0)11 921 6262

Internet/ www.a/rports.co.za

Public transport

Public transport (always jam packed, and the minibuses are frequently un-roadworthy) is little used by tourists. Metered taxis are the safest way to travel if you are not hiring a car. They are available at major hotels, but otherwise you have to phone for pickup. The fare should be confirmed with the driver at the outset.

Taxi

Rose Radio Taxis

Phone/ +27 (0)11 403 0000 +27 (0)11 403 9625 Internet/ www.rosetax/s.com

Post

GPO

Sandton City

Opening hours: Opening hours: Wonday-Fr/day 08.30-16.30; Saturday 08.00-11.30. Phone: +27 (0)11 783 6312

Pharmacy

Pharmacies have a rota system for out-of-hours service.

Phone: +27 (0)11 624 2800

Dentist

For information on emergency dental services, call Jo’burg Connect

Phone: +27 (0)11 375 5911

Telephone

Country code/ +27

Area code/ (0)11

Electricity

220/240v, 50Hz. Round three-pin plugs are standard.