Page 323 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

JOHANNESBURG  321

Visitors at the family-friendly theme park in Gold Reef City
3 Gold Reef City 4 Sandton
Road map E2. n Northern Parkway, and Rosebank
Ormonde, Johannesburg, 011 248 Road map E2.
6800. Open 9:30am–5pm Wed–Sun
(daily during school hols). Closed 25 North of Johannesburg, the Posing for a photograph with the 6 m
Dec. & incl. all rides & shows. 8 9am, metropolitan sprawl blends (50 ft) statue of Nelson Mandela
10am, 11am, 2pm & 3pm; multilingual. into expensively laid-out resi-
7 - = ∑ goldreefcity.co.za dential areas with high walls, a rural farmhouse and now a
spacious gardens, swimming museum dedicated to the
Situated next to the Apartheid pools and tennis courts. apartheid era. It was on this
Museum 8 km (5 miles) south Affluent Sandton is a fash- farm that, on 11 July 1963,
of the centre, Gold Reef City ionable shoppers’ paradise, the South African security
reconstructs the Johannesburg with Sandton City reputedly forces carried out a raid that
of the early 1890s. It aims to the most sophisticated retail ended with the arrest of
recapture that transient time centre in the southern hemi- most of the leaders of the
during which the town evolved sphere. It is especially noted African National Congress.
from a mining camp to a for its speciality shops, trendy The ANC representatives,
modern city. An interactive boutiques, jewellers and deal- including Walter Sisulu and
tour includes a visit to the ers in African art, curios and Govan Mbeki, were imprisoned
under ground mine it is built leatherwork. The centre also after the Rivonia Trials later that
around, the chance to see gold has cinemas and dozens of year. Although Nelson Mandela
panning, and a demonstration excellent restaurants and had been arrested six months
of the heavy-footed Isicathulo bistros. A num ber of five-star earlier, he was also part
“gumboot” dance (probably graded hotels adjoin the of the Rivonia Trials, which
conceived by migrant miners Sandton City complex and marked the beginning of
as an alternative to tradi tional Nelson Mandela Square, where his 27-year incarceration.
drumming, which was an Italianate fountain is the South of Sandton is Rose-
restricted by the authorities). focal point in a little piazza, bank, where the Rosebank
This theme park also lined with coffee shops Mall offers a mix of chain
incorporates thrilling rides and restaurants. stores, upmarket boutiques,
such as the roller-coaster-like The residential suburb of restaurants and entertainment,
Anaconda, and a plethora of Rivonia, north of Sandton, is including a ten-pin bowling
curio shops and eateries. home to Liliesleaf Farm, once alley and cinemas.
= Sandton City
Cnr Sandton Dr & Rivonia rds.
Tel 011 217 6000. Open 9am–7pm
Mon–Thu, 9am–8pm Fri, 9am–6pm
Sat & Sun. 7 - 0 =
∑ sandton-city.co.za
E Liliesleaf Farm
George Ave, Rivonia. Tel 011 803
7882. Open 8:30am–5pm Mon–Fri,
9am–4pm Sat & Sun. & 7 8 0
∑ liliesleaf.co.za
= Rosebank Mall
Cradock St, Rosebank. Tel 011 788
5530. Open 9am–6pm Mon–Sat,
10am–5pm Sun. 7 - 0 =
Playing in the fountain at Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton ∑ rosebankmall.co.za
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp389–90 and pp408–10

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