Johannesburg Mozart Festival Programme

Mozart Festival

Lovers of classical music will be glad to know that the programme line up for the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival has been announced. So here is just a little taste of what you can expect from 23 January to 9 February 2010.

Originally organised in 2006 in celebration of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s 250th birthday anniversary this year’s festival will see almost 20 performances in various venues around Johannesburg … Continued

Sisters with Blisters taking place 28 November

We’ve all had them, that extremely painful blister after a fun night out wearing your favourite pair of stilettos. But this doesn’t really give us a sense of achievement or make much difference to anyone but ourselves. So why not get a blister on 28 November 2009 that will actually mean something?

Sisters with Blisters in an annual event that has been taking place for the past 3 years. Jacaranda 94.2 and First for Women have joined forces to raise awareness on the abuse suffered by many women and children Continued

Pinocchio Pantomime in Johannesburg from 4 November

Adventures of Pinocchio

We have all heard of the story of the little wooden boy who was carved from a piece of pine by the woodcarver Geppetto and who was created as a puppet but dreamt of becoming a “real boy” named Pinocchio. This fictional character has been around since 1883 and has become a well loved tale and was certainly a firm favourite of mine whilst I was growing up.

And if you are in Johannesburg or its surrounding areas you will be happy to know that Pinocchio will be the biggest pantomime ever this year with 60 artists taking part. If you already au fait with pantomimes you probably call them panto’s and already have your tickets booked. However, if you do not fall into this category let me give you a little refresher in what the pantomime is … Continued

CSIR International Convention Centre brings happy smiles to abandoned children

The CSIR International Convention Centre (ICC) has donated chair covers, notepads, pens, 1 000m2 of carpets (with underfelt), shirts, jackets, bags and more than 200 tablecloths to the Mohau Children’s Home in Atteridgeville.

“The children have been very cold lately as a result of cable theft, and the carpets could not have come at a better time,” says centre manager Ester Jaca. According to Jaca, the facility has also been in need of tablecloths for some time as their dining tables were bare. “Our dining room and boardroom will look very bright and welcoming with these smart new tablecloths,” she smiles … Continued

Upcoming Festivals in Soweto

Soweto Festivals

South Western Township or Soweto as it is more commonly known is a melting pot of South African cultures as well as a popular tourist destination. Orlando West in Soweto is the only street in the world to house two Nobel Peace Prize winners, both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have houses in Vilakazi Street.

The Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto is the biggest hospital in the world. And if you are not yet convinced you need to pay Soweto a visit let us give you a few more reasons as Soweto will be a hub of activity in September and October 2009 … Continued

Mandela Square

Mandela Square

Situated in the heart of Sandton Central, in Johannesburg, the Nelson Mandela Square is surrounded by world-class hotels and restaurants. The popular Sandton City Shopping Centre is adjacent to the Square and is a shopper’s paradise.

Sandton Square made headlines in 2004 when, as commemorating South Africa’s first decade of democracy, a specially donated six metre bronze statue of Nelson Mandela was unveiled, and the square aptly renamed Nelson Mandela Square at Sandton City. The statue was sculpted by Kobus Hattingh and Jacob Maponyane and weighs over 2.5 tons measuring 2.3 metres from elbow to elbow. The shoulders of the statue are 1.7 metres in width and the shoes are 1 metre in length. Continued

Puss in Boots and Other Tails

Join a troupe of talented actors in a whirlwind journey of comic excitement as they set out on their big adventure in Puss in Boots and Other Tails at the National Children’s Theatre (NCT), 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown from Monday 7 September to Saturday 17 October 2009 … Continued

Out of Africa at the Brightwater Commons

For our Gauteng readers and anyone who finds themselves near Randburg this coming weekend, head over to Brightwater Commons for their “Out of Africa” Festival for an impressive line up of entertainment including African Jazz, African Tribal Show and graffiti and break-dancing demonstration … Continued

Township Tourism in South Africa

Soweto

It could only be the can-do spirit of South Africans that took what most people consider to be one of our country’s failings, and turned it into something positive. Township tourism, which took off after our first post-Apartheid elections in 1994, is becoming increasingly more popular, as visitors to the country look for a more ‘authentic’ experience, away from game reserves, Table Mountain, and the usual breathtaking scenery.

The idea is pretty much self-explanatory; visitors are taken on guided tours through South Africa’s townships - historically marginalised communities where non-whites were forced to live during the separatist Apartheid regime. The sprawling, densely overpopulated and poverty-stricken settlements are still home to the majority of South Africa’s people, and are a far cry from the usual shiny commercial tourist hubs such as the V&A Waterfront … Continued

Go on an Ox-Wagon Safari!

Ox Wagon

Nature lover? Looking for an alternative to fuel transportation? Frustrated with oil inflation? Environmentalist? Menopausal and ready for a convertible? Nostalgic? Curious? History lover? Conservationist?

Calling all of the above to take an African safari through a 341 Hectare nature reserve set atop an African hillside with spectacular views over the city of Pretoria. Home to Voortrekker history, the Voortrekker Monument and Nature Reserve offers tours on the mode of transport used by these Afrikaans pioneers in their transafrica trek, The Great Trek (1835 – 1854). Continued

Jozi Attractions

Apartheid Museum

A massive city and boasting many ‘firsts’, Johannesburg boasts an impressive number of awesome attractions to suit both young and old. First off, the Apartheid Museum is oddly located next to the fun-park thrills of Gold Reef City. This is an essential South African experience which tells the apartheid story with a confronting sensory verve through large, visually stunning displays and excellent audio visual exhibits. For a trip down memory lane or to experience some of South Africa’s sad history, visit the Apartheid Museum (also see http://www.apartheidmuseum.org/).
 
The Hector Pieterson Memorial is another must visit. Through the use of old photographs and video, this museum tells the chilling story of the 1976 student uprisings against the forced use of Afrikaans in South African schools. The exhibit is stark, haunting and sure to leave you with chills down your spine. Continued

Discovering Gauteng

Hector Pieterson Memorial

South Africa’s smallest province, Gauteng, is its richest and is home to most large corporations head offices and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The city of Johannesburg was founded because of the gold mining industry and all of the large mining houses have their headquarters in Gauteng.

Gauteng is the country’s busiest province by far – it seems that no one rests in Gauteng, and the culture is one of urban indulgence and a work hard, play hard mentality. In Johannesburg the nightlife is excellent, with many of the countries hottest bars, restaurants and clubs located here. It is also a shopping haven, with malls offering international designer wares alongside locally produced fashions – an ideal destination to pick up some proudly South African haute couture! Continued

The Cradle of Humankind … right here in South Africa

Maropeng Centre

The Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO world heritage site located approximately 50kms from the metropolis of Johannesburg, has been the site of many archaeological and anthropological finds since the early 20th century. The most famous of these discoveries was the unearthing of “Mrs. Ples” (Australopithecus africanus), dating back 2.3 million years, at the Sterkfontein caves.

This evidence of our early ancestors prompted the naming of the 474 square kilometer site, home to more than three dozen other caves bearing fossilized hominid remains. Ever since these discoveries first became known, tourists have been flocking to the area to experience a part of our history as a species, but it was only in 2005 that the South African government opened the official visitors’ centre, Maropeng, which literally translates as “the place where we come from”. Continued