Johannesburg

Introduction

Johannesburg lies in Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, and forms part of the City of Johannesburg municipality. Locals have nicknamed the most populous city in South Africa “Joburg” and “Jozi” or the “City of Gold”.

The City of Johannesburg is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world with a population of just over three million people. Johannesburg has a multi-cultural cosmopolitan vibe and an attitude that says 'let's party' - which makes it the ideal city to get the celebrations started when it hosts the opening match of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2013 between hosts South Africa and Cape Verde on 19 January 2013.

The stadium: National Stadium

The National Stadium is the largest stadium on the African continent, it will host the opening and final matches of Orange AFCON 2013. It seats 95 000 spectators.

The Stadium hosted the opening and final match of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, including the opening and closing ceremonies. In 1996 Bafana Bafana (South Africa’s national football team) won the African Cup of Nations final at the stadium.

The famous 'Soweto Derbies', the soccer matches between bitter rival local soccer teams, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, are often played here to sellout crowds.

Weather

The Africa Cup of Nations 2013 takes place during the months of January and February 2013. The weather will be sunny and hot, ideal for sightseeing and enjoying leisure activities in and around the city.

Remember to pack your floppy sun-hats, plenty of sunscreen, flip flops and light clothes.

Accommodation

Johannesburg has a wide range of accommodation offerings, from star-graded B&B’s and guesthouses to luxury hotels.

To get a list of star -graded accommodation in Johannesburg please visit the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa www.tourismgrading.co.za.

Things to do in Johannesburg

There’s a variety of entertainment and leisure activities in store for visitors to the city. You have a choice of wonderful and diverse restaurants, gargantuan shopping malls, tranquil parks, museums, bars, galleries, and funky nightclubs. Take your pick.

Johannesburg is known for its incredible nightlife. From the funky clubs and pubs of Rosebank to the laid-back jazzy groove of Newtown and the stylish venues of the Northern suburbs, Jozi (as locals refer to the city) caters for all tastes. If stepping it up is more your style, classy venues for sundowners are plentiful, with the luxurious five-star hotels taking the lead as gathering spots for the city’s beautiful people, among the favourites being Radisson Blu, the Hilton and Sandton Sun hotels.

If you're looking for a comedy club, a jazz lounge or a venue that plays live music - from jazz to pop to kwaito to house – it's here. The Bassline in Newtown has become a local jazz club legend and is one of the first places music lovers should visit when in Johannesburg. The art galleries on Johannesburg's renowned Art Strip on Jan Smuts Avenue give visitors easy access to the city’s vibrant contemporary art scene.

Shopping is a favourite pastime for Johannesburg’s fashionistas, who flock to Sandton City, one of the largest shopping malls in the Southern Hemisphere to buy high-end international lifestyle brands, jewellery, art, antiques, and African couture.

Tourists can also shop up a storm at many other designer malls such as Nelson Mandela Square (you will find a six metre tall statue of Nelson Mandela), Rosebank Mall and Soweto's Maponya Mall; and as a fitting end to all the fun, a visit to one of many health and beauty spas.

A great addition to the Orange AFCON 2013 is the ‘End of Season’ sales that will be taking place during the months of January and February, which fans and fashionistas should certainly take advantage of while in South Africa.

Restaurants

This dynamic city has a range of restaurants for virtually every type of cuisine – from fast foods to fine dining, African-inspired eateries to cocktail bars and cigar bars.

In Johannesburg the most vibrant restaurant hubs are in Sandton, Fourways, Rosebank, Greenside, Melville, Soweto or Newtown in the city centre. For an eclectic range of true African menus, try Moyo at Melrose Arch or Zoo Lake, or Gramadoelas at the Market Theatre square in Newtown in the city centre.

In Soweto you will find well-known local eateries (along the famous Vilakazi Street), like Wandies Place and Nambitha restaurant, serving traditional local fare, as well as many established restaurant chains like Primi Piatti, News Café and Nando’s. A great way to get to know your fellow AFCON fans locally is to join a shisa nyama (a township barbeque or braai).

And if you like your meals paired with fine wine, South Africa famously offers the best, sourced primarily from the Western Cape’s scenic vineyards.

How to get here

The city is serviced by OR Tambo International Airport (formerly Johannesburg International Airport), the largest and busiest airport in Africa and a gateway for international air travel to and from the rest of southern Africa.

Once in Johannesburg the city is serviced by the Guatrain and a bus and taxi service.

To find out more contact:
The City of Johannesburg
P.O. Box 30733, Johannesburg, 2017
Tel: +27 11 407-7478

www.joburgtourism.com
www.joburg.org.za
www.gauteng.net
Website: www.southafrica.net