Oh What a Night: Johannesburg, South Africa

Raining?  Solution:  hooded daishiki

Many of you know my obsession with Cape Town (how could one NOT be obsessed with Cape Town??) but one weekend a friend convinced me to skip Cape Town and experience the fun side of Johannesburg. 

I admit I was not easily convinced.  I have been traveling to Pretoria for work since 2010 and I thought I had seen much of what Johannesburg had to offer:  The Apartheid Museum, the former homes of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmund Tutu, a moment of silence at the Hector Pieterson museum, lunch at Sakhumzi, dinner at The Butcher Shop, shopping at Sandton ... what more could there be to do?

Plenty. There is plenty more to do in Johannesburg, especially after the sun sets in this city.

If you love a chill vibe, easy food, strong drinks, house/dance/electronic music and to dance the night away .. make your way to Kitchener's in Braamfontein (http://kitcheners.co.za/).  Opened in 1906 this is one of the oldest pubs in Johannesburg and still remains a legendary nightlife spot! (So much fun was had I neglected to take photos!!! This should tell you to GO TO KITCHENER'S if you are in Joburg!).

Another fun option:  book the Soweto Nightlife Tour!  My friend Ashlee booked the tour with MoAfrika tours (https://www.moafrikatours.com/tours/soweto-night-tour/) and while the tour does cost R1250 (approximately $96) it was worth it!

We were picked up from our hotel at 6pm and after we picked up the other passengers we were on our way to Soweto!

While I have been to Sakhumzi for lunch numerous times, it is very different by night!  This was the perfect first stop to get the night started!  We enjoyed drinks on the menu and our tour guide ordered one that was not on the menu - shake shake. Shake shake is a fermented medicinal beverage quite popular in South Africa.  For taste, think room temperature, flat beer.  But it is all about the experience!  So take the hallowed out gourd, swirl (or shake shake), gulp some down and pass!  This is a social experience so sharing is caring!

NOTE:  The tour price did include one drink of choice and the shake shake experience.

Shake shake, sip ...

...pass to a new friend on the tour!

After drinks and introductions we made our way to Chaf Pozi (http://chafpozi.co.za/).  This was the first time for me and I was excited! Located under the iconic water towers in Soweto, this is the perfect spot to have braai (all the grilled meats), side dishes known to South Africa (pap - think West African fufu and chakalaka - think ... just delicious, put it on your plate haha), a cold South African beer (I am quite fond of a very cold Black Label) and music!  At Chaf Pozi you find yourself eating but then jumping up to dance when your favorite South African tune comes on!  The food was delicious and the atmosphere puts you in the mood to hit the streets of Soweto!

NOTE:  The tour price did include dinner and one drink at Chaf Pozi.

Iconic water towers under the night sky in Soweto

Food.  Delicious food.

While it is not typical of the tour, the next stop on the tour, The Rock, was closed. However, this is a nightlife MUST in Soweto, a great vibe and place to have a drink so make your way there if you nearby!

Luckilly, we were with a fun, flexible group so we made our way to another popular nightlife spot in Soweto - The Establishment (http://www.theestablishment.co.za/).  For me the lights were a bit too bright, BUT the atmosphere was light, fun and the music was great!  If you are looking to dance, not the place for you.  But if you are looking to have a drink with friends, feel sexy, listen to great music and flirt a little -- go to The Establishment!

The tour group @ The Establishment

We stayed longer than the tour guide who was not able to get in as he was wearing shorts.  In the end, it was a really fun night!  I enjoyed Soweto by night as it allowed me to see the livelier side of the township.  I would not only encourage people to see the Mandela house and the home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu but to also see Soweto by night - dance, drink, laugh!  Would I do it again?  Oh what a night ... ABSOLUTELY!

My friend, Ashlee, also blogged about her experience.  Visit her blog to read her take on this experience:  Johannesburg By Night: Soweto Night Tour.  And don't forget you kinda could have been there!

Follow me on snapchat and don't miss a moment or an experience:  pmkenney79! XO

Sawubona! Ngikhona!: My Mother's First Visit to South Africa ~ Johannesburg

For over 4 years I have been blessed to visit South Africa every six months.  And finally, late last year, I convinced my mother to visit as well.  This was not only her first time in South Africa, but also on the continent of Africa.  Sawubona! (Zulu greeting meaning "I see you").  Africa the continent, South Africa the country, sees you Mother and it was therefore my mission to ensure my Mom sees Her too.

I was in Johannesburg for work so the timing of her trip was perfect!  Mom landed in Johannesburg Wednesday, September 25 after a 19 hour direct flight from Washington DC (IAD) to Johannesburg, South Africa.  Upon landing I hired a S-Class Mercedes to pick her up from the airport.  I was still working but wanted to ensure she was greeted properly and so when she entered the room she found slippers, a terry cloth robe, hazelnut creme filled chocolates, South African cheese variety, nuts, two 1/2 bottles of sparkling wine, a bottle of Pinotage and water waiting for her.  Everything she may need to relax after a long flight and a much needed hot shower. 

The next day, Thursday September 26 I sent her on a full day tour of Johannesburg and Soweto.  No need for her to stay in while I work!  The full day tour included a visit to the Apartheid Museum, Mandela House, a township in Soweto and the Hector Pieterson Museum.  She returned from the tour informed and excited to learn more about South Africa.

The journey to FREEDOM seen during the tour of Johannesburg and Soweto.

Township in Soweto

A young boy stands in front of the Township

We had one more day in Johannesburg.  Thankfully my assignment ended early afternoon Friday, September 27 at 5pm and what better way to begin a vacation than in the spa!  Mom and I enjoyed lime / cucumber water in their relaxation room enveloped by a soft terry cloth robe and matching slippers.  After relaxing we were led to separate rooms where we spent 2 hours enjoying hot stone massages and facials.  After the spa we enjoyed a quiet dinner and packed our clothes.  We were mentally ready for our much needed vacation!

 

Ngikhona! (Zulu response to greeting meaning "I am here!").  My mother was indeed here ~ in Africa...in South Africa and we would have 8 more amazing days of information and relaxation in Cape Town.