Lia’s Insider Guide to Johannesburg
Lia Marus, founder of Memoirs of a South African Freelancer, is an editor and writer. Her blog showcases her travels and experiences in life, as well as her thoughts on copywriting and editing – which is what she does for a living. She runs her own content creation agency and spends her days creating articles for clients. She loves creating new things, and believes this is what defines her.
5 things I love most about Johannesburg
- Number one on the list would definitely have to be the people. Johannesburg definitely has the most welcoming and vibrant community of anywhere that I’ve been.
- The late afternoon thunderstorms.
- The Gautrain – this is the only way that I travel to OR Tambo Airport and Pretoria! I am very excited that it’s being extended!
- The African arts and crafts that you can find at the Rosebank Craft Market. I’m in love with African jewellery.
- The coffee shop culture. As a freelancer, my office is wherever I want it to be. Very often, I set up my office at one of the stunning coffee shops in my area.
A few quirky/cool/fun things only locals know about
Johannesburg has a great deal of factory shops that many don’t know about – big brand clothing comes to mind. You will find a lot of fantastic deals at these places.
Another great thing to do is to go on walking art tours in Maboneng. On these tours you will be able to interact with the artists in their studios.
Before they start each production, the Joburg City Ballet organises an open day where the choreographers, ballet teachers and company give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what was involved in putting the production on.
The least touristy thing to do in Johannesburg
Definitely hanging out in coffee shops!
Best place in Johannesburg to enjoy…
The water: Emmarentia Dam
The mountains/countryside: Magaliesburg
The outdoors: Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
The food: So many options! It really depends on what you’re in the mood for:
- Great sushi that won’t break the bank: Hokkaido in Norwood
- Italian food: Dolci Café in Craighall Park
- Mexican: La Rosa in Weltevreden
- Indian: Red Chilli Spice in Craighall
- Chinese: It’s a takeaway but the best, by far: Yung Chen
The general vibe or nightlife: Anywhere on Nelson Mandela Square that offers seating on the square. Moyo at Zoo Lake – especially in the evening – has a stunning vibe.
Good coffee/tea/wine: Dolci Café is always on my list!
Meet locals: Dolci Café is always on my list!
What makes a city/town special for me
It must have a heart and soul. The people must be welcoming and it must make me feel at home.
My favourite small town in South Africa and why
I love Bela Bela. The big attraction for me are the hot pools. Going there allows me to melt my stress away.
If I were to do a 10 day road trip through South Africa, these are the stops I’d make:
I would love to explore KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. I’m not sure what stops I would make as I don’t know these provinces that well.
The ultimate bush experience anyone can have in SA
Phinda Game Reserve
The ultimate bush experience anyone can have in Southern Africa ( Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia)
I’m not that familiar with bush experiences in Southern Africa. Something that I need to investigate!
My best beach/island experience in Southern Africa
St Lucia, KZN
The most magical place in South Africa and why
The Drakensburg. The mountains have a story to tell and it’s different every time I go there. I love seeing the effect that the change of seasons have on them.
The best places to visit in South Africa for…
- Solo travellers: Cape Town – specifically Greenpoint and Sea Point
- Couples: Clarens
- Families: Sun City, Durban or Cape Town
- Luxury travellers: Cape Town has some stunning luxury accommodation as does Magaliesburg.
- Those seeking off-the-grid spots: The Karoo and the KZN coast near the Mozambique border.
Lia, founder of Memoirs of a South African Freelancer, is passionate about communicating others’ stories and messages through the written word. She loves creating new things, and this is what defines her. Her creativity can be seen in everything that she does – from her work to her ‘play time’: she loves beading, sewing and coming up with new creations in the kitchen.
