Johannesburg: "STAY UP - a street art film experience of Maboneng"!

Curiocity, a network of African design hostels in South Africa, has released a worth seeing documentary about street art in the Maboneng Precinct of Johannesburg. Filmed during the coronavirus lockdown, the murals, that are typically a silent backdrop, came alive, telling their own stories in this uniquely empty space created by the pandemic. "STAY UP - a street art film experience of Maboneng" is a tribute to the artists that are the fabric of this neighborhood, and their work that creates the energy that Maboneng is known for. Kudos to Kim Lieberman, VHILS, the postman_art, FALKO, Remed, Snowchino, dbongz_one, Karabo Poppy, ROA, Reggiethenomad, Link1, PASTELHEART, Kazy_Usclef, Nix_indamix,Ownurcrown, SENZAART911, FreddySam, Nelson Makamo, CYRCLE, ICY SIGNS as well as to Bheki Dube of Curiocity and everyone else involved in the production of the film.

Curiocity's first hostel - Curiocity Johannesburg - was opened up by Bheki Dube in the Maboneng Precinct of Johannesburg in 2013. It is one of the pioneering developments in the district that has fast become a centre of creative energy for Johannesburg's urban artists. Currently, Curiocity also has hostels located Durban (since 2016) and Cape Town (since 2019).

Video: 5 Things to do in Johannesburg!

Rough Guides, a British travel guidebook and reference publisher, has set up a list of 5 things to do in Johannesburg. If you want to know why Rough Guides thinks that Joburg is on the up to be a global leader in... Music, Art, Style and Creativity, you don't want to miss this short video. Enjoy your quick video trip through Johannesburg's inner city, nearby Pilanesberg National Park, the Apartheid Museum, Soweto and the "new" Joburg. Kudos Rough Guides!

South Africa: Two neighbourhoods have just been named among the coolest in the world

According to the American business magazine Forbes, two of the coolest neighborhoods around the world are Maboneng, located in the south-eastern side of Johannesburg's CBD, and Kalk Bay, located on the False Bay coastline of Cape Town. The list, compiled by Forbes contributor and travel writer Ann Abel and her favourite travel experts, also includes Sants in Barcelona (Spain), Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. (USA), Amsterdam Noord in Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Getsemani in Cartagena (Colombia), Plekhanov in Tblisisi (Georgia), Casco Viejo in Panama City (Panama), District 5 in Saigon (Vietnam), Keramikos in Athens (Greece), Seonggsu-dong in Seoul (South Korea) and Pilsen in Chicago (USA).


Forbes describes Maboneng as follows:

“A no-go zone until the end of Apartheid in 1994, Johannesburg’s Maboneng has since transformed into a lively urban area with blossoming art and culinary scenes,” says Biggs Bradley. The compact neighborhood is known for cultural attractions like the Museum of African Design, Arts on Main—a complex that was previously a series of dilapidated buildings and now has many cool galleries—restaurants and boutiques. The culinary offerings are widely diverse, with restaurants that specialize in everything from Ethiopian cuisine to health food. “One of the best spots for a meal is Che Argentine Grill, which offers delicious specialties like empanadas and a live tango band on weeknights.” (src.)

Forbes describes Kalk Bay as follows:

“A seaside haven slightly removed from the bustle of Cape Town, the former fishing village Kalk Bay is attracting more than just the local surfer community” says Marchant. “Blanketed with quaint cafes, rustic fishing boats and colorful storefronts, this vibrant harbor neighborhood is recently the talk of the city. Olympia Café, a standby for locals, is an ideal launching pad for a day of False Bay coastline exploration. An intricate origami installation created by Kalk Bay local Sanae Sawada decorates the walls of the iconic café, which is just steps from the charming seal-invaded wharf.” (src.)