FurtherDistractions

Sophiatown ('Kofifi')
Despite the tyranny of apartheid legislation (such as the Group Areas Act that, in 1948, banished black people to townships and homelands), some parts of Johannesburg remained gloriously mixed-race until the early 1960s. One such suburb was Sophiatown, which was bulldozed by the authorities and cynically renamed Triomf (Afrikaans for 'triumph'). Sophiatown, which recently received its name back, not only produced such singing legends as Dorothy Masuka, Sophie Mcina and Abigail Kubeka but also inspired a world-famous musical (called Sophiatown) and is still remembered 40 years after its destruction with great passion.

The Toby Road home of Dr Alfred Bitini Xuma (who died in 1962), President General of the ANC in the 1940s, is now a National Monument. Christ the King, 47 Ray Street, the tiny, beloved church of late anti-apartheid stalwart Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, and St Joseph's Home for Children, corner of Gerty and Hermans Streets, a National Monument, are both notable Sophiatown buildings.

Sophiatown
Transport: Metro bus 66 to Sophiatown or 63 to Newlands.

Brightwater Commons (formerly the Randburg Waterfront)
Johannesburg is a long way (550km/344 miles) from the nearest beaches (Durban) and this cluster of shops, bars, restaurants, cinemas and amusements encircling a man-made lake has been completely rebuilt and re-opened as Brightwater Commons is a forced attempt at echoing the highly popular (and authentic) Cape Town Waterfront in Johannesburg's rival city. This is perhaps the only after-dark venue in Johannesburg where one can dine and stroll under the stars in a secure and pleasant park tastefully surrounded by nightclubs, movie-theatres and restaurants.

Republic Road, Ferndale, Randburg
Tel: (011) 789 5052 or (080) 000 1312.
Website: www.brightwatercommons.co.za
Transport: Metro bus 80, 81, 82 or 83 to Randburg.
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.
Admission: Free; some clubs have entrance charges ranging from R20 to R60.

Art Galleries
Johannesburg has a surprising number of excellent galleries, ranging from the corporate to the private and the off-beat to the mainstream. Three are recommended for their commitment to African and South African works. The Johannesburg Art Gallery houses traditional African art, contemporary South African landscapes and the particularly interesting William Kentridge collection. The Goodman Gallery encourages contemporary South African artists, with works by William Kentridge, Kendell Geers, Penny Siopis, Willie Bester and Sue Williamson, among others. The Kim Sacks Gallery displays traditional South African artefacts and contemporary South African crafts.

A comprehensive listing of all of South Africa's galleries (address, telephone, e-mail and websites) can be found at www.art.co.za. Other relevant websites are www.arthrob.co.za and www.artslink.co.za. The Black Arts Collective's website is www.mweb.co.za/blaconline/

Johannesburg Art Gallery
This Edward Lutyens-designed building houses impressive collections of 17th century Dutch paintings, 18th and 19th century British and European art, 19th century South African works, a large contemporary collection of 20th century local and international art and a print cabinet containing works from the 15th century to the present.
King George Street (off Klein Street), Joubert Park
Tel: (011) 725 3130/80. Fax: (011) 720 6000.
Email: rkeen@mj.org.za
Website: www.joburg.org.za
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700.
Admission: Free.

Goodman Gallery
163 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood
Tel: (011) 788 1113. Fax: (011) 788 9887.
Website: www.goodman-gallery.com
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700.
Admission: Free.

Everard Read Gallery
6 Jellicoe Avenue, Rosebank
Tel: (011) 388 4805. Fax: (011) 788 5914.
Website: www.everardread.co.za
Admission: Free.

Alliance Française
The Alliance hosts contemporary South African and international art exhibitions, usually by solo artists, with recent shows by Wayne Barker, Trevor Coleman, Rene Paul, Clifford Charles, Pauline Mazibuku and others. Exhibitions are solicited through proposals.
17 Lower Park Drive, Parkview
Tel: (011) 646 1169. Fax: (011) 646 4521.
Website: www.alliancefrancaise.co.za
Admission: usually free, some exhibitions R20 - R50.

Bag Factory, aka Fordsburg Artists' Studios
Johannesburg's longest-established communal artists' studio complex houses some of South Africa's most established names.
10 Minnaar Street, Fordsburg
Tel/fax: (011) 834 9181.
Website: www.bagfactoryart.co.za
Admission: Free

JHB Civic Gallery
Civic Theatre, Loveday Street, Braamfontein
Tel: (011) 403 3408. Fax: (011) 403 3412.
E-mail: civic@theatrekom.co.za
Website: www.artslink.co.za/civic
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1200-2000 or by appointment.
Admission: Free. 

    

      

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