Gauteng / Gauteng Visitorials / Visitorials: We Love South Africa

I Love Inanda Because …

Updated Monday, 3 June 2024

Hi, I’m Paul Oosthuizen from Inanda Club in Inanda, a stone’s throw away from the financial business hub of Sandton in Johannesburg. Inanda, meaning ‘beautiful’ in Zulu, is the only remaining green lung in Sandton.

INANDA IS BEST KNOWN FOR beautiful, up market residential properties and tree-lined streets, the suburb is also home to St David’s Marist Inanda, one of hundreds of Marist schools, youth institutions and universities around the world, which also celebrates its 70th Anniversary this year (2011).

Inanda

Being so centrally located, Inanda is in close proximity to the Sandton Convention Centre, Melrose Arch, Hilton Hotel, Village Walk Shopping Centre, Wanderers Cricket Grounds and Golf Course, SA Tourism’s offices, the Rosebank CBD, Morningside and Rosebank Clinics, Hyde Park Shopping Centre and Killarney Mall Shopping Centre.

GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the Inanda Club, an equestrian and family-friendly membership club that offers you a tranquil country setting in the city. With 49 acres of rolling green lawns, the pool, gardens, horse riding school or polo area also provide you with a beautiful backdrop for your picture-perfect moment.

THE BEST polo PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT at sunrise when the polo ponies are out on the 80 000 sqm polo field training – it’s simply quite breathtaking as the sun peeks over the Sandton City skyline to illuminate the dust-clad ponies, as they work out in preparation of their next polo game, the sport know as the ‘Sport of the Kings’.

OTHER HAPPY SNAPS alongside the six-metre statue of Nelson Mandela situated in the Nelson Mandela Square (Sandton City).

WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO go to the Rosebank Sunday Rooftop Market. Voted as Johannesburg’s Premier Market for 10 consecutive years, the Rooftop Market at the Mall of Rosebank has over 600 stalls under one roof selling clothing, ceramics, arts and crafts, handcrafted items from all over Africa, furniture and jewellery and an array of mouth-watering delights in the food court and deli section.

Inanda

WHEN THE WEATHER’S BAD, I LIKE TO indulge in some retail therapy and with so many great, up market shopping centres in the vicinity to choose from – Hyde Park, Sandton City or Melrose Arch – the decision is not an easy one. But with limited time on my hands, I would opt for Melrose Arch, a spacious and trendy shopping and entertainment complex. It’s a vibrant shopping and eating-out destination and popular with local celebrities, executives and those with offices in the area. There are many stylish clothing boutiques that stock most well-known designer labels.

For something to eat, Melrose Arch offers a booming dining scene laden with chic restaurants. At night, it is transformed into a dazzling entertainment venue offering a choice of buzzing restaurants, bars, eateries and there is an endless pulse of music playing at the various spots across the shopping complex and outdoor piazza. The centre is also home to the luxurious five-star Melrose Arch Hotel and the Virgin Active gym, which boasts state-of-the-art fitness equipment.

I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS pretty much anytime of the year, BECAUSE each season brings it own unique charm. Winter means bundling up in front of a roaring fireplace having Oxtail for lunch with a glass of red wine. Spring is all about the celebration of life and the start of warmer weather. Summer is all about the pool, playing a game of tennis or appreciating nature’s bounty which is now at its best. Autumn is always a special time as the leaves turn red and brings a warm glow to the area.

Inanda

MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOT IS Tasha’s in Atholl Square. It is the best place to go and always busy. The food is fantastic, the portions are substantial and it’s good value for money.

FOR LUNCH, I SUGGEST Da Vinci Alfresco restaurant. They make the best wood burning oven pizzas ever. Located on the property of the Inanda Club, it is very family friendly and there is loads of space for the kids to play around in.

MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS is Bellagio in Atholl TRY THEIR Their fish it is legendary.

BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK FROM McDonald’s Cafe on Grayston Dr and Rivonia Rd. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

MY FAVOURITE high tea SPOT IS is the Westcliffe Hotel, where the opulent traditional English morning and afternoon teas have become something of an institution.

Inanda

FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN TRY nightclub Zar, at the top the Gautrain Raddison Hotel. If you are looking for an up market and vibey pub to go to, then try JB Rivers in Melrose Arch. Alternatively, one of the spots to go on a Friday night is the Southern Sun Hotel Bar in Hyde Park. It has the most amazing view, making it the best sundowner spot in Johannesburg.

IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS, GO TO go to the Thrupps Centre. The variety of shopping experiences include hair, medical and health services, beauty, fashion, restaurants, confectionery, business and personal services, banking, décor and houseware and Thrupps Food and Groceries.

Inanda’s BEST KEPT SECRET IS the Inanda Club, which offers membership, as well as equestrian, banqueting and sporting activities. Be it for business or pleasure, the warm hospitality of the Inanda Club staff, our attention to detail and personalised service all combine to ensure our members’ and guests’ time with us is always a pleasurable and memorable experience.

MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS watch the polo at Inanda Club. Two major polo events to diarise are the Inanda Africa Cup in July and the BMW International in August. It’s a great day out socialising with the who’s who of the equestrian and social community, whilst watching a sport that is extremely fast, skilful and exciting.

Inanda
FOR SOME CULTURE, I LIKE TO GO TO Theatre on the Square, located on the Nelson Mandela Square. The Liberty Life Theatre on the Square is a 200-seater theatre that produces and shows an array of outstanding productions that include plays, musicals, lunch hour and children’s theatre.

TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO like to spend a day at the spa, of which there are many to choose from in close proximity to Inanda.

IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY walk on the Melville Koppies, a nature reserve and Johannesburg City Heritage Site. It is the last conserved remnant of Johannesburg’s ridges as they were before the discovery of gold in 1886. The hikes on Melville Koppies West on Saturdays are strenuous, so you need to be reasonably fit. These hikes are not suitable for young children.

MY FAVOURITE WALK IS the day and night-time walks on offer at the Jhb Zoo. A totally enjoyable experience, no matter your age.

MY FAVOURITE delicatessen SHOP IS Fournos Bakery at Dunkeld Shopping Centre. Freshly baked daily, Fournos sweet treats and savoury offerings will definitely keep you coming back for more.

Inanda

MY FAVOURITE people WATCHING SPOT IS Mandela Square (Sandton City), which is always a hive of activity as people of all ages and backgrounds go about their business.

IF YOU’RE HERE IN March or September, JOIN IN THE FUN AT the Inanda Club’s bi annual Family Fun Days and Polo Tournaments.

MY FAVOURITE MUSEUM IS Ditsong National Museum of Military History in Saxonwold, the only museum of its kind in South Africa. Displays not only reflect historical aspects, but also illustrate technological development in warfare. Two historic Bellman Hangars house a variety of thematic displays such as the Anglo-Zulu War, the Anglo-Boer War, South Africa’s role in the First and Second World Wars, resistance movements such as Umkhonto-we-Sizwe, medicine in war, the development of combat uniforms and equipment, the development of small arms, resistance to war, and so on. The Museum is also regarded as the spiritual and a symbolic home for regular and reserve soldiers and veterans in South Africa. CHECK OUT THE the World War II aircraft.

MY FAVOURITE BUILDING IS St David’s Marist Inanda, FOR ITS classic architecture. On the property is the house “Maryknoll”, the original Sandton farmhouse.

Inanda

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS the Johannesburg Zoo, the most popular public venue in the city. Established in 1904, the zoo is situated on 81-hectare (200-acre), with plenty of trees, water features and beautiful walks. The stars of the show are, of course, the animals and the collection is impressive. There are lions, tigers, elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, sable antelope, bat-eared foxes and polar bears among the 2,000 animals, representing 365 different species.

BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS Zoo Lake. It is probably the most frequented open-space area in the suburbs of Johannesburg and offers a restaurant, paddle-boat facilities and waterfowl in abundance. Concerts are often hosted here, as is the ‘Artists under the Sun’, which provides artists with an opportunity to showcase their works by the lakeside. Weekends are always hectic and everyone and their dog seem to find some amusement there. There is no entrance fee. Dogs on leads only. Plenty of parking.

WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT, I LIKE TO Villamoura in the Sandton Sun Hotel for the most amazing seafood dinner.

THE MOST UNUSUAL THING I SEE HERE IS the Hyundai Balloon at Mushroom Farm.

MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS Ant’s Hill and Ant’s Nest Riding, situated in the malaria free Waterberg region. These two privately owned properties share a game reserve and are safe for families with adults and children. Horseback riding is one of the many activities available and is suitable for non-riders as well. Both facilities feature swimming pools and have game drives, mountain bike riding, bird watching, walks and bird watching available to keep the non-riders busy.

WHEN I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I raise funds for the Alex Aids Orphange through the Inanda Club’s Family Fun Days, polo tournament and member events.

I Love Inanda BECAUSE it is such a beautiful area, well maintained and clean.

Inanda

Useful Inanda Links

Desirable Digits

St David’s Marist: +27 (0)11 215-7600
Rosebank Sunday Rooftop Market: +27 (0)11 442-4488
Tasha’s in Atholl Square: +27 (0)11 884-0365
Da Vinci Alfresco Restaurant: +27 (0)11 783-2000
Bellagio: +27 (0)11 885-3938
Westcliff Hotel: +27 (0)11 481-6074 /6045
Thrupps: +27 (0)11 268-0298
Theatre on the Square: +27 (0)11 883-8606
Johannesburg Zoo: +27 (0)11 646-2000
Fournos Bakery: +27 (0)11 325-2110
Ditsong National Museum of Military History: +27 011 646-5513
Villamoura: +27 (0)11 884 0360 / 1

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