Cradle Of Human Kind |
The Cradle of Humankind Site comprises a strip of a dozen dolomitic limestone caves containing the fossillised remains of ancient forms of animals, plants and most importantly, hominids. The dolomite in which the caves formed, started out as coral reefs growing in a worm shallow sea about 2.3 billion years ago. |
The Apartheid Museum |
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The Apartheid Museum opened in 2001 and is acknowledged as the pre-eminent museum in the world dealing with 20 th century South Africa , at the heart of which is the apartheid story.
In 1995 the South African government set up a process for the granting of casino licenses, establishing an agency to do this called the Gambling Board. The bid documents stipulated that bidders should demonstrate how they would attract tourism and thereby grow the economy and stimulate job creation.
A consortium, called Akani Egoli, put in a bid that included the commitment to building a museum. Their bid was successful, the Gold Reef City casino was built and an adjacent piece of land given for the construction of a museum.
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Constitution Hill |
Nowhere can the story of South Africa’s turbulent past and its extraordinary transition to democracy be told as it is at Constitution Hill. This national heritage site has witnessed a century of South Africa’s history. From rebellious British soldiers who fought with the Boers at the turn of the century, to the youths caught up in the Soweto Uprising, to the dawn of democracy and the building of South Africa’s new Constitutional Court, Constitution Hill has witnessed it all. Visit Constitution Hill and learn about the injustices of South Africa’s past while observing the process by which freedom was won and is now protected. Exhibitions and guided tours have been designed as an interactive experience, offering visitors the opportunity to participate in the building of Constitution Hill. |
Johannesburg Art Gallery |
Predictably, the city's first gallery was financed with the sale of a diamond. In 1904 Lady Phillips, wife of the first chairman of the Rand Mines Company, sold her 21-carat ring to purchase three paintings by Wilson Steer. Over the next 5 years, she wrangled money from her wealthy connections to purchase more artwork, and commissioned Sir Edwin Lutyens to design the elegant building that now houses her collection. It is unfortunate that the gallery lies in the rather seedy center of town, but you should have no problem if you drive in, and secure parking is available. The rather dull Flemish and Dutch collections are made up for by the Brenthurst Collection of African Art, comprising curios plundered by European explorers in the 19th century, and later collections of traditional southern African artworks. Happily, despite ignoring black talent during the apartheid years, the gallery now also has a good selection of South Africa's most renowned, including sculptures by Venda artist Jackson Hlungwani and paintings by Helen Sebidi, Alfred Toba, and Gerard Sekoto. That said, recent remonstrations in the press contend that a lack of artistic direction means that current artists are totally underrepresented. |
Planetarium |
The history of the Johannesburg Planetarium begins in the year 1956, when the Festival Committee, instituted to organise the celebrations in that year of the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the city, decided that it would be a most fitting way to mark the occasion to raise the funds needed to buy and house a Zeiss Planetarium. Since timing was a matter of importance, and since it was soon found that it would not be possible to obtain a new instrument within a period of less than a year, it was decided to try and buy one of the existing instruments in Europe. |
Adler Museum Of History Of Medicine |
The Adler Museum of Medicine was founded in 1962 and was situated in the grounds of the South African Institute for Medical Research, Johannesburg. It is now housed at the University of the Witwatersrand’s Medical School Campus in Parktown, Johannesburg. |
Zoo Lake |
Probably the most frequented open-space area in the suburbs of Johannesburg, Zoo Lake has a restaurant, paddle-boat facilities as well as waterfowl in abundance. The restaurant is housed within buildings at the heart of the property and a bowling club lies to the right (members only but they're fun to watch). Concerts are often hosted here and an annual, `Jazz at the Park' concert is becoming a recognised event. `Artists under the Sun' is a regular affair providing artists an opportunity to showcase their works by the lakeside. Weekends are always hectic and everyone and their dog seems to find some amusement there. No entrance fee. Dogs on leads only. Plenty of parking.
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Johannesburg Zoo |
The Johannesburg Zoo was established in 1904, and historically, it has been owned and operated by the CITY OF
JOHANNESBURG. Recently, the Johannesburg Zoo was registered as a Section 21 (non-profit) company.
The core business of the Johannesburg Zoo is the accommodation, enrichment, husbandry and medical care of wild animals. The Johannesburg Zoo contributes to the quality of life of the citizens of the city through the following:
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Education: Look after the environment, it is the only one we’ve got. This message is spread through numerous awareness programmes, edutainment, as well as smell, hear, touch and feel programmes held throughout the year. The Zoo is the epicentre for the ‘living sciences’. We encourage teachers and parents to bring their pupils and children to the zoo to bring environmental subjects to life . Night tours are a must.
For all tours, school programs, holiday programs, and youth clubs, please visit the education centre.
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Conservation: Zoos work with the trees while Parks work with the forest. This governs the relationship with the environment, global co-operation, endangered species preservation and wildlife environmental protection and rehabilitation. In partnership with local, provincial national and regional conservation authorities, private landowners and NGO’s, the Zoo contributes to conservation in various ways.
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Research: Problem solving to improve the stability of wildlife. This is achieved through biological conservation, animal diseases information and medical care given to animals. The Zoo contributes to research in three main ways – own research, academic research and partnership research.
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Recreation: Bringing a world of wildlife to your doorstep. Relaxation in a clean, green environment, a safe and healthy family recreational venue to spend quality time in an interesting and fun way. Accessible and affordable, the Zoo is the City of Johannesburg’s world of wildlife on your doorstep
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Johannesburg Shopping |
Johannesburg is a shopper's paradise. From designer boutiques, world-class cuisine to local curios and cosy coffee shops, Johannesburg shopping malls offer superior quality merchandise, entertainment and are unique lifestyle destinations.
Here's a list of some of the malls that can be found around the city:
Sandton City - located in Sandton's prestigious Central Business District.
Sandton Square - Rivonia Road, Sandton
Hyde Park Corner - Jan Smuts, Hyde Park
Mall of Rosebank - Cnr Cradock and Baker Roads, Rosebank
The Zone @ Rosebank - Oxford Road, Rosebank
Cresta - Beyers Naude Drive, Northcliff
Northgate - Cnr Olievenhout and Northumberland Roads, Northriding
Fourways Mall - Witkoppen Road, Fourways, Sandton
Fourways Crossing - Cnr William Nicol Drive and Witkoppen Road, Fourways, Sandton
Eastgate - Bradford Road, Bedfordview
Southgate Mall - Cnr Columbine and Rifle Range Roads, Mondeor
The Glen - Cnr Letaba and Orpen Road, Oakdene
Craft Markets
Johannesburg craft markets feature African masks and wooden carvings, beaded dolls, wire baskets and toys and a variety of other indigenous objects - from everywhere in Africa. You'll also find clothing, ceramics, collectibles, second-hand books and jewellery, and plenty of cheap mass-produced goods. Whatever you're looking for, the flea markets are full of bargains and surprises. |
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