How to navigate Johannesburg’s urban jungle

Mural by South African artist Falko One on Betty Street, Maboneng.

Most visitors to South Africa will transit through the country’s biggest city on their way to Kruger National Park or Cape Town. Yet with vibrant precincts such as Maboneng breathing new life into once derelict inner-city neighbourhoods, there’s plenty to explore in Johannesburg.

Previously a blighted inner-city industrial area, Maboneng sprang into existence in 2009 with the opening of Arts on Main, a creative hub that on Sundays hosts a local designers’ market on the upstairs floor of a former warehouse. 

Colourful food stalls on the ground floor of Arts on Main on a Sunday morning.

Looking out from the Arts on Main complex across low-rise Maboneng.

Maboneng is a magnet for urban-renewal projects such as Drivelines Studios, a residential building made from upcycled shipping containers, which was designed by Naples-based architects LOT-EK.

On Maboneng’s Fox Street you’ll find South African fare such as boerewors sausage with pap and chakalaka relish at Pata Pata, and great steaks at Che Argentine Grill.

The ‘African bistro’ LoveRevo, on the corner of Fox and Betty streets.

Johannesburg is known for its suburban mega-malls: the bespoke retail precinct 44 Stanley on the fringe of downtown is a chic alternative for its collection of fashion and design boutiques. 

Colony Design’s luxe leather goods at 44 Stanley.

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Handmade chocolates at 44 Stanley’s Chocoloza.

The Victoria Yards arts community, a few minutes’ drive from Maboneng in Lorentzville, is another urban renewal project, by the team behind 44 Stanley. It’s home to artisans and designers such as Tshepo Mohlala, pictured here in the workshop of his denim label Tshepo.