15 Uniquely South African Souvenirs to Bring Home from Johannesburg
1. Gold Coins
There is one in shopping mega-hub Sandton, in Nelson Mandela Square (open Mondays to Saturdays from 09:00 to 18:00, and from 10:00 to 16:00 on Sundays and Public Holidays). It is easily accessible from Fifth Street, Maude or Maude West Street. Towards Randburg in the Northern parts of the city, visit The Scoin Shop in Cresta Mall, Beyers Naude Drive (open from 09:00 to 18:00 Mondays to Thursdays, until 19:00 on Fridays, until 18:00 on Saturdays-Sundays, and Public Holidays until 15:00). The Scoin Shop in Clearwater Mall, in Roodepoort (on the corner of Hendrik Potgieter Drive and Christiaan de Wet Road), is open from 09:00 until 19:00 Mondays to Thursdays, until 21:00 on Fridays, until 19:00 on Saturdays and Public Holidays, and until 17:00 on Sundays. Alternatively, just pick up a couple of coins on your way home. The Scoin Shop at OR Tambo International Airport is open from 06:00 until 22:00. Kruger Rands start at about R1700 per 1/10oz. Currently, 1oz goes for R1,4750. The prices are based on the gold exchange rate and Rand/Dollar exchange, so they change daily. Mandela medallions start at R7,500 for the Bimetallic version and can cost up to R370,000 for a troy pound.
The Scoin Shop in Cresta Mall, Beyers Naude Drive
The Scoin Shop in Clearwater Mall in Roodepoort
2. Diamonds
Sterns stores are located in Jabulani, Boland Road, Soweto (open from 09:00 until 16:45 during the week, and 09:00 until 12:45 on Saturdays) and in Lenasia in the Trade Route Mall on the corner of K43 and Nirvana Roads (open from 09:00 in the mornings, until 18:00 Mondays to Thursdays, until 20:00 on Fridays, until 17:00 on Saturdays and until 15:00 on Sundays). There are numerous Browns jewellers scattered across the city, like at the OR Tambo International Airport (open from 06:00 to 22:00, seven days a week), Cresta in Beyers Naude Drive, Randburg (open from 09:00 to 18:00 Mondays to Thursdays, until 19:00 on Fridays, until 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays and Public Holidays until 15:00), Rosebank Mall, between Bath and Cradock Avenues (open from 09:00 to 18:00 Mondays to Fridays, until 17:00 on Saturdays and from 10:00 to 16:00 on Sundays and Public Holidays) and Sandton City (open from 09:00 to 19:00 Mondays to Thursdays, 09:00 to 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays and from 09:00 to 18:00 on Sundays and Public Holidays). This shopping center is easily accessible from Rivonia Road, Sandton Drive, Alice Lane, Fifth Street and West Street. For handmade jewellery, contact Schwartz Jewellers on +27 (0) 11 783 1717.
3. Beer
Alternatively, pop into any liquor store that you see; SAB products are available almost anywhere. Liquor Cities are always a good bet. While there, you can stock up on a range of locally-produced drinks to entertain friends back home. The Liquor City in Bedfordview (in the Village View Shopping Center on the corner of Kloof and Van Buuren Roads) is open Mondays to Fridays from 09:00 to 18:00 and Saturdays from 09:00 to 15:00. There is also a branch in the Cresta Shopping Center, Beyers Naude Drive (open from 09:00 to 18:00 Mondays to Thursdays, until 19:00 on Fridays, until 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays, and Public Holidays until 15:00).
4. Blue Bulls or Golden Lions Rugby Jerseys
Gear is also carried by Sneaker stores in Bedfordview (in the Bedfordview Shopping Center, Smit Road, open from 09:00 in the mornings until 18:00 Mondays to Fridays, until 17:00 on Saturdays and until 16:00 on Sundays) and the OR Tambo International Airport (open from 06:00 to 22:00). You can also visit Sportsman’s Waterhouse at the Blackheath Pavillion in Cresta (located at the corner of Beyers Naude Drive and Pendoring Road). The store is open Mondays to Fridays from 09:00 to 18:00, on Saturdays from 08:30 to 17:00, and on Sundays from 09:00 to 16:00. Another branch is located at the Fourways Crossings Retail Center on the corner of William Nicol Drive and Sunrise Boulevard. Opening hours are from 09:00 to 18:00 Mondays to Fridays, from 08:30 to 17:00 on Saturdays and from 09:00 to 15:00 on Sundays.
5. Biltong
Try the butchery at the Bull Run in Sandton (opposite the Johannesburg Stock Exchange adjacent to the Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton 20 Maude Street). They are open Mondays to Sundays, 12:00 to 22:30 (except for Saturday lunches). The Butcher Shop and Grill offers the finest quality meat prepared by skilled artisanal block-men (located in Sandton at the Nelson Mandela Square and open Mondays to Saturdays from 09:00 to 18:00, and from 10:00 to 16:00 on Sundays and Public Holidays). It is easily accessible from Fifth Street, Maude or Maude West Street. Another popular chain is Boesmanland Biltong (translated as Bushman country biltong). Shops are, among others, in Cresta Shopping Center (open from 09:00 to 18:00 Mondays to Thursdays, until 19:00 on Fridays, until 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays, and Public Holidays until 15:00), Fourways Shopping Center at the corner of Witkoppen Road and William Nicol Drive (opening hours from 09:00 to 18:00, Mondays to Fridays, from 09:00 to 18:00 on Saturdays, and from 09:00 to 15:00 on Sundays).There is also a branch in Rosebank. Visit on Sunday, when the popular Rooftop Market offers the opportunity to browse through over 600 stalls, including a food section (which also offers varieties of South African’s favourite dried snack).
6. Shwe Shwe Fabric
7. Zulu Shield
8. African Pap
If you haven’t visited the area yet, pick up your pap at the Pick ‘n Pay at the Braamfontein Center on the corner of Jorissen and Bertha Streets (open from 07:00 to 19:00 Mondays to Fridays, 08:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays, and 08:00 to 15:00 on Sundays). There are lots to see in Braamfontein, but some of your time should definitely go to trendy 44 on Stanley, a series of industrial buildings that have been revamped to accommodate 25 specialty restaurants, boutiques and design studios. Alternatively, visit any of the city’s convenience stores, like the Checkers in Cresta (Beyers Naude Drive, Randburg, open from 09:00 to 18:00 Mondays to Thursdays, until 19:00 on Fridays, until 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays, and Public Holidays until 15:00). Another option is the Checkers Hyper in Sandton, Rivonia Road (open from 09:00 to 19:00 Mondays to Thursdays, 09:00 to 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 09:00 to 18:00 on Sundays and Public Holidays).
9. Chakalaka
Just down the road, in quirky Greenside, is the restaurant Mamas Shebeen (described as an authentic shebeen experience). Bustling and fun, you can try chakalaka here with a variety of dishes. If you’re already in Cresta (Beyers Naude Drive, Randburg), both the Checkers and Pick ‘n Pay here also stock it (open from 09:00 to 18:00 Mondays to Thursdays, until 19:00 on Fridays, until 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays, and Public Holidays until 15:00). Or, if you’re in Sandton City in Rivonia Road, visit the Checkers Hyper (open from 09:00 to 19:00 Mondays to Thursdays, 09:00 to 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 09:00 to 18:00 on Sundays and Public Holidays).
10. Sowearto Clothes
11. Vuvuzela
If you’re a quieter type, fans suggest you can also use it as a cricket bat, hearing aid or petrol funnel. Buy yours at the Total Sports in the Jabulani Mall in Bolani Road, Soweto (open from 09:00 to 16:00, Mondays to Thursdays, Fridays from 09:00 to 19:00, Saturdays from 09:00 to 17:00, and Sundays from 09:00 to 15:00). They sell them for R39. Alternatively, just pick one up on your way home at the OR Tambo International Airport. The Total Sports shop here is open from 06:00 to 21:00, seven days a week. Total Sports also has branches in Midrand, in The Boulders Shopping Center in Old Johannesburg Road (open 09:00 to 18:00 Mondays to Fridays, 09:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays, and 09:00 to 15:00 on Sundays).
12. African Masks
Another option is the African Queen at 137 Corlett Drive in Bramley (open Mondays to Saturdays from 08:00 to 17:00). They are also well-known for their wonderful bronze sculptures; the collection is extensive and includes masks, figurines and so forth. Also visit here if you’re looking for Zulu pots and baskets or zebra and Nguni skins, drums and animal horns. Just down the road, in Corlett Drive, is Amatuli Fine Art (170 Corlett Drive, open Mondays to Fridays from 08:30 to 17:00, and Saturdays from 09:00 to 13:00). Thousands of pieces are on display, including carved crocodiles, dug-out canoes, headrests, masks and more. Another option is the Kim Sacks Gallery (153 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, open Mondays to Fridays from 09:00 to 17:00, and from 10:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays).
13. Miriam Makeba CD
Most malls in South Africa have some kind of record store, and all of them can offer you Miriam Makeba’s music. These include both the Look and Listen and Musica Stores in Cresta Mall in Beyers Naude Drive, Randburg (open Mondays to Saturdays from 09:00 to 22:00, and Sundays and Public Holidays from 10:00 to 22:00). Both Look and Listen and Musica also have branches in the Clearwater Shopping Center on the corner of Christiaan de Wet and Hendrik Potgieter Drive in Roodepoort (open Mondays to Saturday from 09:00 to 22:00, and Sundays and Public Holidays from 09:00 to 22:00). Another good place to buy your music, and almost anything else your heart desires, is Sandton City (Rivonia Road). The Musica Megastore store here is open from 09:00 in the mornings, until 19:00 Mondays to Thursdays, until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 18:00 on Sundays.
14. William Kentridge Painting (or Print)
These, as well as the artist’s prints, are available at David Krut Projects’ Print Workshop and Bookstore at 140 Jan Smuts Avenue in Parkwood. They are open Mondays to Fridays from 09:00 to 17:00 and 09:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays. There is a second shop in Downtown City East, 264 Fox Street, at Arts on Main (open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00 to 16:00, Thursdays from 11:00 to 20:00, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:00, and Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00). You can also visit the White House Gallery in the Thrupps Center in Oxford Road Illovo. They are open from 09:30 in the mornings, until 17:00 Mondays to Thursdays, until 16:30 on Fridays, and until 11:30 on Saturdays.
15. Ostrich Products
For handbags, visit Lorenzi – “where women, their style and their elegance are celebrated”. Lorenzi offers refined exotic skin creations, especially handbags. They are located in Sandton City (open from 09:00 to 19:00 Mondays to Thursdays, 09:00 to 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 09:00 to 18:00 on Sundays and Public Holidays) and the Nelson Mandela Square (open Mondays to Saturdays from 09:00 to 18:00, and from 10:00 to 16:00 on Sundays and Public Holidays). It is easily accessible from Fifth Street, Maude or Maude West Street.
Other Interesting Souvenirs from South Africa
If traveling to South Africa is not an option for you right now, or you simply can't afford extra space in your luggage, fortunately, these days, you can find a wide selection of authentic and truly interesting South African souvenirs online. Presented here are some of the top South African products sought by foreign visitors, now available online for your convenience.
2. Beadwork crafts - Widely practiced by women of indigenous tribes of Southern Africa, this craft is unique to the region in terms of materials used, which include glass beads as well as natural objects, such as seeds, shells, bone, ivory and more, to make necklaces, earrings, etc.
3. Carrol Boyes -Handmade kitchen utensils and home accessories created by the avant-garde South African artist and designer Carrol Boyes, who draws inspiration from the human form and beauty of nature.
4. South African Food -Traditional food unique to South Africa and local culture, boasting great ethnic flavor, requiring no refrigeration, and thus representing excellent snack and trail food. This includes Droewors (Dried Sausage) made from lamb and beef, fully cured and ready to eat; Beef Biltong Sliced, a popular snack produced from game or beef, fully cured and ready to eat; and Ouma Seed Rusks, a crunchy snack meant to be dipped into coffee or tea, made with pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seed.
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