Johannesburg

Johannesburg, which is the largest city in South Africa, was the mining camp, which grew into Africa's dynamic and vibrant City of Gold - 'Egoli'.

Visit Constitutional Hills to discover the struggles and resist of apartheid governments by the activists Visit 50-storey building Calton Centre to view the whole of Johannesburg.
Nelson Mandela Bridge is not far away. Very close to the bridge is one of oldest universities in Africa, University of Witwatersrand.

The Nelson Mandela Bridge

Experience a drive over the longest hang bridge in South Africa namely "Nelson Mandela's Bridge" which was opened on the 25th of July 2003 on his 85th birthday.
Johannesburg has the largest cable-stayed bridge in southern Africa. The 284-metre long bridge crosses over 42 perational railway lines in linking Braamfontein and the north of Johannesburg to Newtown in the heart of the city's central business district.

Lesedi Cultural Village

Lesedi is a multicultural village set amongst the pristine bushveld and rocky hills less than an hours drive north of Johannesburg.

Situated at Lesedi are four traditional homesteads The Zulus with their fighting sticks and cozy beehive huts, The Xhosa with their perfectly thatched rondawels and distinctive white blankets, the rhythmic drums and whistles of The Pedi tribe and the conical straw hats and thick, colored blankets of The Basotho.

Soweto

The struggle route tour of Soweto

Soweto is the very symbol of the black struggle for freedom in South Africa. Experience the origins of "matchbox city" and its complex relationship with greater Johannesburg. NO trip to Soweto is complete without a visit to Regina Mundi, Soweto's largest Catholic Church. Not only has the vast church always been a spiritual haven for thousands of Sowetans, it has also played a pivotal role in the township's history of resistance against apartheid.

The struggle route tour of Soweto

Places of interest

• The Nelson Mandela Museum
• Arch Bishop Tutu's House
• Hector Pieterson Museum
• Regina Mundi Catholic Church

Hector Pieterson Memorial Museum

The Hector Pieterson Memorial Museum (HPMM) is a heritage site intrinsically linked to the origins of the Soweto Uprising and aftermath. By 10.30am on 16 June 1976, thousands of students had gathered in Orlando West around Vilakazi Street and the precint where the HPMM is presently located to begin a protest march against the imposition of the Afrikaans language as the medium of instruction in Soweto's schools.

The HPMM collects, preserves and interprets the memory, legacy and history of the 1976 National Uprisings. The museum is named after 13-year old Hector Pieterson, who was among the first students to die from police shootings.

The precint also includes the Nelson Mandela's Orlando West house (now Mandela Museum) which is opposite the Orlando West Junior Secondary school and Archibshop Desmond Tutu's house which is a stone throw away in Vilakazi Street; Winnie Mandela - all of which are a few meters away from the museum.

Mandela Museum

NELSON Mandela's humble little house in Orlando West, Soweto, now called the Mandela Family Museum, is an interesting stopover for those keen to imbibe a slice of authentic history on the world's most famous former prisoner. The museum, a house comprising four inter-leading rooms, contains a rather higgledy-piggledy assortment of memorabilia, paintings and photographs of the Mandela family as well as a collection of honorary doctorates bestowed on Nelson Mandela from universities and institutions around the world.

Gold Reef City

More and more visitors are making their way to Gold Reef City. The complex made up of theme park, Apartheid museum and casino facilities has proved to be a winning combination.
Gold Reef City brims with experiences that the visitor would not find anywhere else. More than that, the package-deal of fun, fantasy, historical fact and safe parking offers the guest real value for money. Gold Reef City's Casino is open 24 hours a day and boasts a magnificent entertainment atmosphere, highly trained staff and an abundance of gaming choices. The arena caters for everybody's gaming tastes with slots, tables, sports betting, Salon Prive for the high rollers and much more.

Its appeal is broad. International travellers savour the offering of traditional African music, dance and history found throughout the complex. The carefully-documented history of Apartheid, chillingly yet beautifully depicted in the Museum, is a must-see on a South African visit. And nowhere else will the tourist find such a comprehensive and colourful depiction of mining life at the turn of the nineteenth century.
Learners lap up the educational content, their minds sharpened by the adrenalin-spiking rides in the theme park. The history lesson is brought to life; youngsters.

AFTER a few hours at the Apartheid Museum you will feel that you were in the townships in the 70s and 80s, dodging police bullets or teargas canisters, or marching and toy - toying with thousands of school children, or carrying the body of a comrade into a nearby house.

Apartheid Museum

The Museum, with its large blown-up photographs, metal cages and numerous monitors recording continuous replays of apartheid scenes set in a double volume ceiling, concrete and red brick walls and grey concrete floor, is next to the Gold Reef City.

Pretoria

Pretoria has been the administrative capital of South Africa since 1910. Also known as "Jacaranda City", it is a unique experience comprising picturesque garden suburbs and embassies. Places of interest include: Church Square, Union Building and Transvaal Museum.

It's here where colourful people from all around gather... Where busting trade and scintillating nightlife is offset by the tranquillity of nature's reserves.

It's Africa with a touch Europe and a pinch of oriental spice. Hooting taxi's, cars old and new, buses and trains drive past hawkers selling an array of fresh fruit from surrounding farms.

And high up on Meintjeskop, sir Herbert Baker's famous architectural wonder views it all the stately Union Buildings housing Government offices.

Over the years, Pretoria lured many an investor. And along with the industrial growth, people from all over settled in and around Pretoria.

Sun City Resort

Sun City Resort is a world-renowned Kingdom of Pleasure, unique in the world with many attractions and activities, luxury accommodation, game reserve and holder of the Million Dollar Golf Challenge annually. Deep in the rugged bushveld, in the heart of an ancient volcano, lies the world's most unique resort. This is the internationally acclaimed Sun City.

Sun City Resort in the Pilanesberg in the North West Province is one of the most remarkable destinations in Africa.

This vast complex, nearly 20 km in circumference, is an enormous, opulent extravaganza of luxurious hotels, glittering entertainment centres, restaurants, gaming rooms, shops, discos and extensive, beautifully landscaped grounds, rated among the world's most unusually conceived, and most lavish, inland resorts.

Sun City Resort has a unique heartbeat and an African rhythm of its own and is unlike any other Resort destination in the world. This is pure fantasy and your every desire is met. There are four world-class hotels including the magnificent Palace of the Lost City that glitters like a jewel beneath the African sun, brilliant in its rain forest surroundings and luxurious in its detail and design.
Adjoining the Resort, is the beautiful Pilanesberg National Park, which will delight game viewers as it is a malaria free zone and home to the Big 5.

Shopping Malls and Flea Markets

Sandton City

The premier shopping centre in Southern Africa, Sandton City is a delight of uniquely local flavour interwoven with contemporary global flair. This prestigious destination is considered the hub of tantalising trends and enticing elegance - the place to meet, to shop, to be seen. Cosmopolitan and zesty, Sandton City is located in Sandton's prestigious CBD and offers an exclusive shopping and entertainment experience in breathtaking surroundings. Pic of Sandton City on the web please.

Nelson Mandela Square

From designer boutiques and world-class cuisine to local curios and cosy coffee shops, this piazza encapsulates a lifestyle that takes good taste to new levels. Take in a show at the Liberty Theatre on the Square, cast your eye across works of art in one of the galleries or simply sit back and enjoy a meal at one of many renowned restaurants.

Cresta Mall

After eight refurbishments and extensions, Cresta is one of the city's largest shopping complexes, with a diversity of stores ranging from supermarkets and clothing to cosy coffee shops and movie theatres.

The Brightwater Commons

Soft landscaping, paved walkways, a village green and a watercourse are all part of the urban shopping space concept, central to the Brightwater Commons. Apart from an array of retail stores, there is a permanent flea market with credit card facilities and a music market selling CDs and DVDs.

The Mall of Rosebank

The moment you enter The Mall of Rosebank you realise that you are in a different world: sophisticated, tranquil and decidedly cosmopolitan, it is also distinctly Africana and offers a little something for every discerning taste. The unforgettable African Craft Market, complemented by the Sunday Rooftop Flea Market, adds a unique aspect to the shopping

Fourways Mall

Dine and browse to your heart's content through supermarkets, boutiques, chain stores, shoe shops and cinemas. There is also a miniature golf course for additional entertainment.

Killarney Mall

One of Johannesburg's most established shopping centres, Killarney Mall was the first shopping centre to be opened in the city in 1961. The mall is one of the city's best-kept secrets - unpretentious yet posh, ultra-stylish yet under-stated and modern, it still retains an air of dignity. Located conveniently near the M1, Killarney Mall is easily accessible and offers shoppers an eclectic range of stores, boutiques and restaurants, including an array of exclusive speciality stores for those hard-to-come-by goods and services.

Eastgate Mall

Eastgate Shopping Centre is situated in the suburb of Bedfordview, on a prime site on the major freeway between Johannesburg International Airport and Johannesburg city center. Easily accessible from the highway, this super-regional shopping center has 250 stores catering for all tastes and styles.

Hyde Park Corner

Hyde Park Shopping Centre was completed in November 1969, and was one of the first fully enclosed decentralised shopping centres developed in South Africa. Situated in the heart of the northern suburbs, Hyde Park Corner boasts 130 top-quality speciality stores, many of which are international brands. There is ample controlled parking available, with the choice of open or covered parking bays.

Southgate Mall

Southgate Mall is one of South Africa's top 10 malls in terms of size and has long served the nearby township of Soweto. Southgate has the largest complement of furniture stores in the region.

Montecasino

The Montecasino complex was built to resemble a Tuscan village. Late-night shopping is a unique feature and clothing, jewellery and African curios are the most popular products. There is plenty of entertainment, including cinemas, a theatre and a casino.

Northgate Mall

This shopping centre is packed with good-value clothing shops and a selection of fast food joints. For the adventurous, it houses the only ice rink in the city.

The Zone @ Rosebank

One of Rosebank's newest shopping centres, and a favourite weekend meeting place for teenagers, this entertainment centre is filled with coffee shops, pubs, restaurants, trendy clothing stores and movie theatres.

Village Walk

The Village Walk is best known for its wide variety of restaurants, bars and coffee shops, most of which have outdoor tables. The environment is secure and offers shoppers an airy change from bigger, busier malls.

Clearwater Mall

Clearwater Mall offers shoppers on the western edge of the city some 90 shops to choose from, plus exhibitions, competitions and holiday activities.

Westgate Mall

Westgate offers a diverse shopping and entertainment experience. With over 20 years of successful trading to its name, Westgate is renowned as the shopping mecca of the West Rand and boasts an exciting range of over 200 stores.

Oriental Plaza

The Oriental Plaza is known for its exotic variety of fabrics sold at discount prices. There are no fixed prices - as in eastern markets, bargaining is part of the experience. Local and international brands are also sold at reduced prices.

Flea Markets

African Flea Market

Between Cradock and Bath Ave, Rosebank Mall, Rosebank
Open: Every day from 9am to 5pm
See and buy beautiful craftwork from all over Africa including pieces from Zimbabwe, Namibia and the Congo.

Rooftop Market /Hillfox

Rosebank Mall, 50 Bath Ave, Rosebank
see Jackie on Sunday btwn 10am to 2pm
Open: Sundays and public holidays 9.30am to 5pm
The Rooftop Market is regarded by many as South Africa's best flea market, and is well patronised by locals as well as tourists. More than 500 stalls offer quality clothing, beautiful ceramics, art and craft objects, antiques and collectibles.

Bruma Lake Flea Market

Cnr Ernest Oppenheimer and Marcia Ave, Bruma
Open: Tuesday-Sunday from 9.30am to 5pm
Extensive market, based near the Eastgate Shopping Mall, offering everything from clothes to crafts. Live entertainment can be enjoyed as you shop. There is also a Kids' World where youngsters are kept entertained whilst you roam around.

Michael Mount Organic Village Market

Cnr Bryanston and Culross Rd, Bryanston.
Open: Thursday from 9am to 1pm and Saturday from 9am to 2pm
All products are handmade or produced organically, making a trip to this market in Johannesburg's north a unique experience. Enjoy cakes, pastries, cheeses and crafts.

East Rand Flea Market

North Rand Road, Boksburg
Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Closed on Mondays except public holidays.
This market offers a wide variety, and you can even buy fish. Based outside Johannesburg, but close to the south-eastern suburbs.

The Market Place

Cross Street entrance, Brightwater Commons, Republic Rd, Randburg
Open: Weekdays from 9.30am to 5.30pm. Weekends from 9.30am to 6pm
An array of goods from delicious food to hi tech appliances can be found at this permanent flea market. Credit card facilities are also available.