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Attractions in the
City Centre
Carlton Panorama
At the Carlton Panorama you will
have some very wonderful views of
the city. On the 50th floor of the
tallest building in South Africa
this will be quite a treat. Be sure
to bring your camera with you to
take lots of pictures while you
are up there on the top floor.
Corner of Von Weillligh and Main
streets, Joburg CBD, (011)308 2876
Gandhi Square
Gandhi's contribution to the struggle
for liberation and justice has recently
been acknowledged by the City of
Johannesburg. The site of the city's
first courthouse, formerly named
Government Square and later Van
der Byl Square was renamed in Gandhi's
honour in 1999 and a statue erected
to commemorate his role in shaping
our country in 2003. While some
of the square is still used as a
bus terminus, banners and a series
of information panels in the area
tell the story of Gandhi's connection
to the city.
Harrison Street Corner Loveday Street,
Joburg CBD, (011)232 1000,
www.joburg.org.za
First National Bank Museum
First National Bank, the historical
forerunner of South African banking,
has established this museum to depict
their journey through South Africa's
chequered history since 1838.
90 Market Street, Cnr Harrison Street,
Joburg CBD, (011)3528684
www.fnb.co.za
Johannesburg Art Gallery
The gallery is the biggest gallery
in the sub-continent, with a collection
larger than that of the South African
National Art Gallery in Cape Town.
Some of the pre-eminent artists
in the collection are Pablo Picasso,
Camille Pissarro, Claude Monet and
Edgar Degas. The comprehensive South
African collection includes works
by Gerald Sekoto, Alexis Preller,
Maud Sumner, Sydney Khumalo and
Ezrom Legae.
Corner Klein and King George Street,
Joburg CBD, (011)725 3130
www.jobug.org.za
Absa Gallery
Situated in the heart of downtown
Joburg in the award winning Absa
Towers, The Absa gallery is attached
to a prominent bank and hosts artists
who have entered its prestigious,
annual fine art competition.
161 Main Street, Joburg CBD, 011
350 5139 or 5793
www.absa.co.za
Absa Museum
The Museum is home to the largest
collection of money formerly used
in South Africa, as well as housing
extensive historical records stretching
back to the early origins of Johannesburg.
As the only banking and money museum
in South Africa, it is the custodian,
not only of South Africa’s banking
history, but also of the economic,
political, and social changes that
are often so dramatically reflected
in these currencies.
Educating young South Africans about
banking and finance - From displays
of cowrie shells - primitive money
from centuries ago - and Venetian
glass beads, also once used as a
currency - to coins recovered as
treasure from sunken ships, all
the way through to exhibitions on
bank-related crime and how to use
an ATM - its collection of over
600 money boxes, some dating back
to the early 1800’s, reminds one
of the days when young children
were taught the wisdom of saving.
187 Fox Street, Joburg CBD, (011)350
6889
www.absa.co.za
Museum of Man and Science
The king of muti, herbal and homeopathic
remedies
14 Diagonal Street, Joburg CBD,
(011)836 4470
Adler Museum of the History
of Medicine
Situated in the grounds of the South
African Institute for Medical Research,
in Hillbrow. The Adler Museum houses
stimulating exhibits - a pharmacy,
doctor's surgery, dental museum,
hospital, optometry, video room,
coach house and authentic reconstruction
of an African Herbalist Shop. Booking
is essential for guided tours.
South African Institute for Medical
Research, Hospital Hill, Hillbrow,
(011)432 1482/717 2067
www.wits.ac.za
Nelson Mandela Bridge
One of Gauteng's most recent landmarks,
the R53-million Nelson Mandela Bridge,
was opened on July 20 2003 as part
of the celebrations for former president
Nelson Mandela's 85th birthday.
This magnificent bridge links Braamfontein
in the north to Newtown in the south.
The bridge improves direct access
into the Newtown Cultural Precinct
carrying two lanes of traffic and
two sidewalks for pedestrians. The
bridge is South Africa's largest
cable stayed bridge measuring 284
metres. Definitely one of South
Africa's engineering masterpieces.
Braamfontein, (011)8776800
www.jda.org.za
Johannesburg Civic Theatre
South Africa's foremost receiving
house of live entertainment - presenting
the very best of world class theatre,
sourced both locally and overseas.
The theatre expertly balances its
recognition as an internationally
acclaimed venue for global touring
theatre.
Civic Theatre Complex, Cnr Loveday
& Hoof St, Braamfontein, (011)8776800
Email:info@showbussines.co.za
www.showbussiness.co.za
Constitution Hill
Built in 1892 as a prison to control
the influx of the uitlanders (foreigners)
by the then President of the Zuid
Afrikaans Republik Paul Kruger the
prison then became a Fort after
the failed Jameson Raid of 1896
up until 1899 when it became a prison
for the second time incarcerating
mostly those who were opposed to
apartheid the likes of Mahatma Ghandie,
Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo etc.Today
it is Museum and it houses the highest
court in the land the Constitutional
Court a place where human rights
are protected.
Corner of Kotze and Hospital Street,
Braamfontein, 011 381 3100,
Emai info@constitution.org.za
www.constitutionhill.org.za
Adler Museum of the History
of Music
Priceless musical instruments and
scores dripping with rich cultural
and historical heritage are preserved
in this exclusive museum. Please
make appointment only.
Witwatersrand University, Yale Road,
Braamfontein, (011)717 2067
www.wits.ac.za
Johannesburg Planetarium
Explore the wonders of the universe,
the stars and the planets.
Witwatersrand University, Yale Road,
Braamfontein, (011) 717 1392
Email:planet@planetarium.co.za
www.planetarium.co.za
Origins Centre
‘We are who we are because of who
we were’
Discover Africa’s mysterious past.
Themed exhibits cover humanity’s
origins in Africa to the San of
Southern Africa.
Witwatersrand University, Yale Road,
Braamfontein, (011) 717 4700
Email:info@originscentre.co.za
www.origins.org.za
Nelson Mandela Theatre
A world class theatre that showcases
local and overseas productions,
providing an opportunity for South
African performers, musicians, writers,
creative directors, designers and
technicians to develop their skills
on a sponsored basis in order to
create commercially viable and exploitable
stage productions.
Loveday Street, Braamfontein, (011)8776800
www.theatresa.co.za
The Gallery Premises at
the Civic Theatre
Strategically located in The Johannesburg
Civic Theatre precinct, The Premises
Gallery overlooks the landscaped
piazza. Creatively directed and
managed by independent artists’
lab The Trinity Session, a small
piece of art-world history was made
with South Africa’s newest, multipurpose
contemporary art space that hosts
much more than exhibitions.Second
Floor, Civic Theatre, Loveday Street,
Braamfontein, (011)339 2679/877
6800
www.onair.co.za
Wits Downstairs Theatre
It was designated "store room"
on the original plan by the architect
Don Leonard but now houses a versatile
experimental theatre with its own
foyer which also serves as an exhibition
space, the venue seats 120.
24 Station Street, Witwatersrand
University, Yale Road Braamfontein,
(011)7171372
www.wits.ac.za/placesofinterest
Wits Theatre
It has established itself as South
Africa's major venue for contemporary
dance. Annually the FNB Dance Umbrella
celebrates its national festival
here with top companies from around
the country. The entire region's
major dance companies have danced
here and book seasons on a regular
basis.
24 Station Street, Witwatersrand
University, Yale Road Braamfontein,
(011) 716 4051
www.wits.ac.za/placesofinterest
Wits Theatre Complex
The theatre has 367 seats in an
adaptable auditorium. Its foyer
contains bar and cafeteria facilities.
24 Station Street, Witwatersrand
University, Yale Road Braamfontein,
(011)717 1376
www.wits.ac.za/placesofinterest
Braamfontein Cemetery
SA national anthem writer (Enoch
Santonga) is buried in this cemetery.
Off the Main Highway on Smit Street
turn to Graf Street to enter, Braamfontein,
(011)712 6600, www.jhbcityparks.com
Newtown Cultural Precinct
A microcosm of South African culture
and history which houses a variety
of museum displays. The Market Theatre
is home to the Rembrandt Gallery
showcasing local and international
art. The Worker's museum features
major photographic exhibitions.
90 Cnr Market & Harrison Sts,
Newtown (011)688 7860
www.jda.org.za/newtown
Sci bono Discovery Centre
The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre provides
programs for students and teachers,
aimed at translating the 2005 curriculum
from theory into practice. The centre
is the largest science discovery
centre in Africa and focuses on
catering for the melting pot of
languages and cultures that is Gauteng,
thereby creating the necessary environment
to enable people from as many different
backgrounds as possible to benefit
from this educational initiative.
Inside the Electric Workshop, Newtown,
(011)639 8400
www.sci-bono.co.za
Museum Africa
Accommodated in Johannesburg's former
Fresh Produce Market building in
Newtown, MuseumAfrica focuses on
the geology, anthropology, archaeology
and history of Southern Africa from
the Stone Age and up until today.
Of relevance to the heritage of
the Freedom Struggle are "The
Road to Democracy" exhibition
(providing an overview of the social
and political upheavals of the early
1990's), "Tried for Treason"
exhibition (which tells the story
of the 1950's Treason Trial and
its accused), an exhibition of the
life of Mahatma Gandhi (focusing
on his life in Johannesburg), and
a recreated 1950's Sophiatown scene
(complete with Marabi music and
Sophiatown fashions).
Johannesburg's Major History Museum,
Old Market Building, 121 Bree Street,
Newtown, (011)833 5625,
www.joburg.org.za
SAB World of Beer
A very informative tour that traces
beer's origin some 6,000 years back
and demonstrates the beer making
process. It also features a pub
where visitors can enjoy refreshments
after touring the facility.
19 President Street, Newtown, (011)836
4900
www.worldofbeer.co.za
Southern African Theatre
Initiative
The Southern African Theatre Initiative
is a regional organisation formed
by theatre practitioners who realised
the need to come together and work
as a unit for the development of
theatre in Southern Africa. S.A.T.I.
is a network that works as a central
co-ordinating body for Theatre in
SADC countries.
Market Theater shop no 3, Newtown,
(011)838 8932
www.sati.org.za
The National Craft and
Design Centre (Bus Factory)
An old bus shed has been transformed
into a dynamic, integrated business
co-operative specialising in the
manufacture, marketing, sales and
export of African inspired craft,
jewellery and design products.
Bus Factory, 2 President Street,
Newtown, (011)492 3696
www.joburg.org.za
The Workers' Library and
Museum
The Workers' Library and Museum
is housed in a restored municipal
workers' compound in Newtown. Used
until the 1970's, the compound was
renovated with one wing being developed
as a museum and the other to house
meeting rooms, offices and a library.
The buildings are a recognised National
Monument, and an important part
of working class heritage.
52 Jeppe Street, Newtown, (011)832
2477
www.jda.org.za/newtown/projects
Mary Fitzgerald Square
In 1986, Newtown's Market Square
was renamed to honour Mary Fitzgerald,
an Irish-born activist who is said
to have made a great contribution
to the early history of Johannesburg.
Her legacy lives on at the heart
of the city's Newtown Cultural Precinct,
now a great urban space for all
city users.
Main Street, Newtown, (011)668 3200,
www.joburg.org.za
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