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One Night In Johannesburg

2 minute read
TIME

Nkhensani Manganyi Nkosi, actress and founder of hip fashion label Stoned Cherrie
I’d start with a picnic at the Cradle of Humankind — caves where some of the earliest human remains have been found. There’s a game reserve and it’s quite beautiful at that time of day. A trip to Wandie’s bar in Soweto404 Not Found

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nginx/1.14.0 (Ubuntu) may be a bit of a cliché, but it’s still a must to sample township life. And then I’d end my night at the Horror Café in downtown Johannesburg, where some of the best undiscovered musicians play local hip-hop, ragga and soul. It’s a young, mixed crowd — very cool.

Palesa Madumo, advertising executive
First hit the Design Quarter, Jo’burg’s newest and hippest shopping mall at Fourways in the north. You can eat or have a drink at the Kitchen Bar, which is divided into a restaurant at the bottom and a club area at the top. It’s new so it’s still fun. If you want good African food, head to Nambitha in Soweto. It has a vibe you can’t quite get anywhere else, very friendly.

Simon Robinson, Africa bureau chief, TIME
The two blocks of shops in Old Melville include a couple of fantastic used-book stores. After browsing for forgotten classics, eat Thai (Soi is a favorite), Indian, Greek or Ethiopian (the newly opened Abyssinica), or have a drink at the Mozambican-flavored Xai Xai Lounge. If you don’t linger you can catch a show at the Market Theatre in artsy Newtown.

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