Many visitors are afraid of Johannesburg. Too many stories of violence, rape and car theft. But in last years the city got very serious about the security problem, now you see loads of cameras and policemen are standing everywhere. Not total Joburg is safe but nowadays there are many parts of the city where you can easily walk along. With the increasing security creative people and some good investments are attracted and you can discover exciting lifestyle in Braamfontein, Maboneng, Parkhurst und Melrose Arch.
Where to shop
44 Stanley Today the former industrial complex from the Thirties is an entertaining mixture of boutiques, galleries, many coffeeshops and little restaurants. People are strolling in the arcades meeting for lunch under shady trees. 44 Stanley Road www.44stanley.co.za
Anatomy Design For many the very best shop for interior design in Joburg, so Anatomy Design has won several awards at Design Shows. This standard lamp is one of the leading pieces. 44 Stanley Avenue, Tel. 011 024 3727. www.anatomydesign.co.za
Bean There It was the first coffee roaster who joined Fair Trade. You find only organic coffee from Ruanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi and Kenia. You should try the cappucino at least! Or buy some beans for home. Tel. 087 310 3100 Open mo – fr 7.30 – 4 pm, sat 9 – 3 pm. www.beanthere.co.za
Lunar Since the Nineties Lunar is on the market and designer Karen Ter Morshuizen prefers natural fibers and often coloured by hand hand. She is a fan of old fashioned techniques like knitting, embroidery tec. In her collections the ecological point of view is of importance. Her fashion has a elegant classical line and the materials are wonderful to wear. 44 Stanley Avenue Tel. 011 726 5558.www.lunarlife.co.za
Vovo Telo Since 2006 the making of bread is a serious passion of three young people. You find as wall the whole range from Croissant ciabatta etc. There are tables as well and so can enjoy the fresh bread with some coffee. For lunch they have an excellent menu so a lot of locals are meeting there. Open from 7 am. Tel. 011 482 4139. www.vovotelo.com
Maboneng Situated in the east of Joburg, the run down township of Maboneng is now an exciting place with galleries and interesting art projets. In between fashion stores, bars and coffeeshops.
Loin cloth & ashes The founder Anisa Malembo Mpungwe was born 1984 in Tanzania, she studied at the London College of Fashion and received 2010 as the first woman of Tanzania an invitation to the well renowned Mercedes Benz Fashion Show in Johannesburg. In 2012 she opened her first boutique at the Main Change Building in Maboneng Precinct. Her design is very feminine and she asks her clients: “dare to be different”. In this boutique you find as well the label “Morphe” of Marize Malan from Joburg showing an easy going city fashion. 20 Kruger Street, Tel. 027 72 143 2312. Open tue – fri 9am – 5 pm, sat+sun 10am – 4 pm. www.loinclothandashes.com
Arts on Main The former industrial complex offers today space for galleries and workshops for artists. Next door there are a bookshop with printing facilities, a restaurant and a loft, where the german Goethe Institut gives upcoming artists a chance to work and exhibit. 268 Fox Street, Maboneng www.artsonmain.co.za
Restaurant Canteen Inside you have unplastered walls and a very easy interior design, outside you sit under olive trees and enjoy the tranquility of the inner court of Arts on main. For light lunch I can recommend a salad of spinach with calamari and chorizo. 268 Fox Street Tel. 011 33455947 Open tue – sun for breakfast and lunch, thu – sat 6pm -close for dinner .
I was shot in Joburg It is a place for streetkids to develop creative work and you see t-shirts sewn by hand or pillowcases. you can buy as well photos showing scenery from their environment. Arts on main Tel. 027 82 922 5674 www.iwasshotinjoburg.co.za
David Krut Projects For many than 20 years the english David Krut is fascinated by art of South Africa. One of his editions he published with William Kentridge, the leading south african artist in the international art scene. In his workshop in Arts on Main you see printing machines, beside a bookshop with interesting prints. In his gallery you have exhibitions of William Kentridge, Diane Victor, Mary Wafer etc. Tel. 011 334 1208. www.davidkrutprojects.com
1886 Boutique Joburg Here you can find all sorts of souvenirs concerning Joburg. It is really entertaining to discover all the objects carrying the name of the city. By the way everything is produced in South Africa. The Main Change, 20 Kruger Street, Tel. 011 469 3770. www.1886boutiquejoburg.co.za
Braamfontein The district suffered a lot under the apartheid but today the vibrant lifestyle is back. You see a lot of excellent graffiti on walls of concrete, as well as galleries and boutiques. The renowned University Witwatersrand and the Museum Witsart are attracting many creative people.
Dokter and Misses In 2008 Adriaan Hugo opened his shop for design. In collaboration with his partner Katy Taplin he is manufacturing interesting objects for daily life and very often it is difficult to resist the charming tables, chairs or cupboards. By the way, everything is “produced” downstairs only the painting is done outside. 68 Juta Street, Tel. 011 403 1024. Open mon – fri 9 – 5 pm, sat 9- 3pm. www.dokterandmisses.com
Parkhurst The nice residential suburb is located in the north of Joburg and people like to meet up on 4th Avenue with restaurants, bars, antiquities and design shops.
Essentialearth Founded in a garage by Adrian Lombard in 2000, you see only objects made in South Africa and being manufactured as ecologically as possible. it is a range of interesting labels of cosmetics, organic tees, furniture, handbags, ceramics and art, so the locals love to discover new things. The workshop of Essentialearth is situated in Houghton Estate in the northwest of Joburg where Nelson Mandela lived as well. Cnr 4th ave & 9th street, Tel. 011 447 2142. www.essentialearth.co.za
Tinsel Best known for contemporary jewellery from South Africa and you can find around 20 designers mostly producing unique pieces. In the back of the boutique you find the workshop of the owners Geraldine Fenn and Eric Loubser. 25, 4th Avenue, Tel 011 447 2761. Open tue – sat 10- 6pm. www.tinsel.co.za
Melrose Arch Here you find mostly international brands like Chanel, Bobbi Brown, L’Occitaine etc. Always busy people meet for breakfast, lunch and dinner spending time under shady trees of Melrose Square.
Where to stay
There are some nice hotels around Melrose Arch. The 4 **** Protea “Fire and Ice” is an easy going hotel with an interesting retro design, behind the reception desk you see photos of Liz Taylor and James Dean. Small gym and an outside pool as well. 22 Whitely Street, Tel 011 218 4000. www.proteahotels.com/fire-and-ice
The Number One at Melrose Arch is African Pride. A 5 ***** Hotel with an elegant interior design. Excellent restaurant, you should eat klipfish with smashed potatoes. Very good collection of contemporary south african Art in the lounge and the meeting rooms. 1 Melrose Square, Tel 011 214 6666. www.africanpridehotels.com
Melrose Arch Health Club The size of this Virgin Active Fitness-Club is quite impressive, you see the best equipment of Technogym and a lot of other tools to get your body in perfect condition. Really amazing for me was the training pool with 4 lanes, where you swim in salt water. Nice and spacious changing rooms. If you are a guest in the hotel African Pride, you ca buy a voucher for 200 Rand to have a workout. No earphones and very rarely personal trainers. 35 Melrose Boulevard, Tel 011 214 86700. Open Mon – Fri 4.30 am- 9.30 pm, Sat+Sun 6am -8 pm. www.virginactive.co.za
The Meat Company Here you get wonderful steaks, specialized on huge T-bones. Extremely good was my super aged meat, with a little salad aside. Melrose Square. Open daily 12 am – 10.30 pm. Tel 011 684 1787. www.themeatco.com
Past Experience It is the Guide Company, to see a different Joburg. Owned by Jo Buitendach, who studied archeology and she loves her hometown. Specially focused on graffitis in Braamfontein, and being convinced that Joburg is a mekka of wall paintings. Number two in the team is Tania Olsson, who studied as well archeology and she likes to discover her town with a camera. Tel. 011 6783905, mobile 0837013046. www.pastexperiences.co.za
