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Jozi's cultural heart and soul
Newtown Cultural Precinct
Newtown is Johannesburg's vibey cultural heart
© South African Tourism
As part of the Johannesburg inner-city regeneration, the Newtown Cultural Precinct has achieved much more than attracting retail and commercial business back to what was once the site of an old power station. Because it provides a wealth of avenues for creative expression, Newtown is a magnet for artists, musicians, dancers and performers.
Located around Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown’s vibe is distinctly cosmopolitan and underlying its trendy coffee shops, restaurants, art galleries and clubs is the same avant garde attitude that made it a hot-bed of resistance theatre, music and poetry under apartheid.
Visit one of the outstanding museums such as MuseuMAfrica, where the exhibits track life in South Africa from the Stone Age to modern times. Drop in to the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, a highly entertaining interactive exhibit using the magic of science, or toast your visit with a tour and beer tasting at the South African Breweries World of Beer.
Community craft initiatives are big here, so check out the Bus Factory craft workshop, and, at the Zasekhaya Market shoppers will find one-of-a kind, South African-made furniture, funky homeware and more.
Live music venues abound in continually creative Newtown so make your way to Kippies, a world-famous jazz haunt, groove to rock and blues at Bassline, or catch sounds from across Africa at its numerous night spots.
Then treat yourself to a traditional meal at Gramadoelas or an upmarket pan-African feast at Moyo’s at the Market Theatre.