For those who’d like to indulge in a little retail therapy, Joburg is the perfect place to splurge, especially if you’re benefiting from a favourable exchange rate.  It’s all here – from elegant shopping centres where international labels abound to boutiques specializing in South African designs, art and craft markets, jewellery and fine art.


The main malls close to The Westcliff include:

Hyde Park (international designer names, expensive, chic), Rosebank (African crafts, superb mix of clothing and specialist music), Killarney (good mix of shops) to Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square (one of the best known shopping destinations on the continent, for everything from international labels to local crafts).

Recommended specialist stops and shops include:

• Kim Sacks Gallery, Rosebank (tel: 011-4475804) for traditional African crafts.
• Art Africa, Parkview (tel: 011-486 2052) a huge range of fun, affordable pop craft including wire and tin ware.
• Rosebank Mall for a daily art and craft market as well as a huge, thronging market on Sundays.
• CD Wherehouse at Rosebank Mall (tel: 011-788 9831) to source great local South African music.
• The Wine Room (tell: 011-482 8274) in Melville is an elegant, full service wine emporium with a tasting room.
• To buy diamonds direct from the factory, contact  Jewellery Kingdom in downtown Johannesburg,  (Tel: 011-334 4868 or Cell: 082-684 3398).  Tanzanite Blue, one of Africa’s rarest gemstones, is available at all reputable jewellers.  Contact The Tanzanite Foundation for more information or to find out who the closest stockist is.  Tel: 011-214 1000 or  visit their website at www.thetanzanitefoundation.com