On the Scene: Braamfontein in Johannesburg

Braamfontein is a neighbourhood where a lot is happening right now. It stretches around Witwatersrand University and the Wits Art Museum. No wonder so many students live in "Braamies," as we call it. It is a vibrant neighbourhood with cafés, restaurants, small shops, hairdressing salons, informal kiosks (spazas), and hip bars. 

It all comes together at The Playground right by the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Listen to live music, dance, eat, drink, browse, look at art, meet people. It is a mixture of event venue, neighborhood meeting place and market – and the new home of the popular Neighborgoods Market that is only open at weekends. People from around Johannesburg offer their homemade treasures. And they look pretty stylish – both the traders and their products. These can be clothes, hats (another trend here in Johannesburg!), earrings made from old sunglasses, chutneys, syrups... 

There are also street food stalls where you can get curries, sugar cane juice, or the small meat skewers called sosaties. You can book a two-hour creative workshop or a mural tour, as there are exciting façade paintings all around. DJs play music or a live band performs. Young talents are welcome to try their hand here. 

And of course, amapiano is played at some point. We Joburg residents love this style of music. It's a bit like house, but very danceable, with a South African kwaito influence and jazzy elements. Honestly, Joburg without amapiano is unthinkable! 

Today, I can hardly imagine that Braamfontein was in danger of falling into disrepair. Around 20 years ago, an urban regeneration programme was launched. The result: a lively, trendy neighborhood.

GetYourGuide takes you to the “Big Five” – with a full-day safari, including pick-up at your hotel and lunch in Pilanesberg National Park.

Lumka Dlomo works as a marketing manager for the City of Johannesburg. Her task? To present Joburg to the rest of the world as an endearing, vibrant city that is well worth a visit.