Great Ways to Spend Heritage Day

Heritage Day is dedicated to remembering and celebrating all of South Africa’s many diverse cultures, beliefs and traditions. While Lockdown Heritage Day 2020 is unlike one we have ever celebrated before, we can still embrace and celebrate the warmer days and our heritage by wearing traditional attire or something South African.

With the easing of levels and more places opening up, restrictions are still in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 so as we celebrate our heritage, don’t forgot to wear a mask, practice social distancing and wash your hands.

Here a few ways to celebrate our heritage this public holiday in Joburg.

Bryanston Organic & Natural Market

Bryanston Organic & Natural Market is Joburg’s OG outdoor market place, which has been operating for over 40 years, every Thursday and Saturday. The market has been described as magical and an escape from the usual city rush.

The market offers quality, local crafts, wholesome food and entertainment. Their shopping options include fashion and jewellery, handcrafted collectables, Health & Wellness stalls, children’s toys and activities and locally sourced meals from natural, fresh produce to delectable homemade breads and cakes. There is something for the whole family to enjoy.

This Heritage Day, many of the stallholders are dressed in traditional wear, so join in the fun! With 90 authentic vendors to shop from, truly celebrate our heritage, support local and support small businesses.

Enjoy a cup of tea in the Tea garden. Vegan food, preservative-free ice cream, Argentinean fare, sugar-free snacks and Italian Deli are available as well. The market is smoke and alcohol-free. As a special Heritage Day treat, they have planned a Heritage Day Surprise at 12 pm. The market opens at 9am and ends at 3pm.

The Bryanston Market is online and offers organic food, cleaning and hygiene products for delivery or collection. They only delivery within a 20km radius from the market. All orders need to be placed by 2pm on Mondays for delivery on Thursday at 1pm or alternatively for collection on Thursday between 12pm to 3pm.

Where: 40 Culross Rd (off Main Rd), Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 706 3671 | Website: www.bryanstonorganicmarket.co.za
Instagram: @bryanstonorganicmarket_ | Facebook: @bryorgmarket | Twitter: @BryOrgMarket

The City Sightseeing Bus

The Johannesburg City Sightseeing Tour is back since having to temporarily close during the lockdown. Explore Johannesburg and appreciate our history and heritage with the red bus tour.

The tour starts and ends at Stop 1 at The Zone in Rosebank and operates as a Hop on and Stay On tour. There are no stops or pick-ups along the way but the bus explores Joburg along the Green Route and Red Route through Parktown, Constitutional Hill, City Centre and Turffontein and return to Rosebank. The tour is 1 hour and 45 minutes long and includes a break halfway at Gold Reef City for 15-20 mins. Choose one out of the three operational bus times tours: 9am | 12pm | 3pm. As a reopening special, tickets will be R99 and kids are R50. Book here.

The red bus tour offers a special from the 24 to 27 September. Thereafter it only operates every Saturday until further notice.

Due to COVID-19 regulations, the buses will only be travelling at 50% capacity and every second row of seats will be occupied. Booking is essential.

Where: Oxford Rd, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 511 6000 | Website: www.citysightseeing.co.za
Instagram: @citysightseeingsa | Facebook: @CitySightseeingSouthAfrica | Twitter: @JoburgRedBus

East City Cycle Tour

Explore Joburg this Heritage Day on a bicycle. As you peddle through Jeppestown, Maboneng, Doornfontein, Victoria Yards and Troyeville embrace the public arts, history and architecture of our home. The bicycle tour starts and ends at Curiocity Backpackers.

Bicycles and helmets are included. Bring a camera to capture all the enjoyable memories, and sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

The East City Cycle Tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays, 3pm to 5pm at R300pp, alternatively you can book a private or group tour for any day of the week. Book here.

Where: 302 Fox St, Johannesburg, Gauteng
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 614 0163 | Website: www.mainstreetwalks.co.za
Instagram: @mainstreetwalks | Facebook: @mainstreetwalks | Twitter: @mainstreetwalks

Constitutional Hill

Constitutional Hill is a National Heritage site and home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa. The museum was previously a prison and military fort and now displays and tells the story of South Africa’s transition to democracy and its unsettled past.

There is no other site of incarceration in South Africa that has imprisoned world-renowned men and women of all races, ages, political agendas, immigrants and elite such as Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Joe Slovo, Albertina Sisulu, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Fatima Meer. To celebrate Heritage Day, learn what constitutionalism means in South Africa

To welcome South Africans back, Constitutional Hill is offering free tickets for Heritage Day. After which they will open on 1 October. Space is limited due to COVID-19 restrictions and booking is essential. Full tours start at 10 am and again at 12pm. The Highlights tour begin at 11 am | 1pm | 2pm | 3pm. Book here.

Where: 11 Kotze Street, Braamfontein 2001 Johannesburg, South Africa
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 381 3100 | Website: www.constitutionhill.org.za
Instagram: @visitconhill | Facebook: @ConstitutionHill | Twitter: @VisitConHill

Rosebank Sunday Market

The Rosebank Market is a true representation of South Africa’s vibrancy and diversity. Every Sunday, the market celebrates South Africa’s heritage through its diversity and variety. Situated inside Rosebank Mall, the market offers stunning views of Johannesburg’s skylines and sunsets giving the feel of traditional market experience. The food stalls are delicious and indigenous and all are sourced and produced locally. Shop from traditional handcrafts to fashion, décor and homeware to vintage and antique and from inspired arts to children’s arts and crafts.

The Rosebank Sunday Market which is usually only open every Sunday will be opening up for a special Heritage edition on 24 September from 9am to 4pm.

The food stalls are delicious and indigenous and all are sourced and produced locally. Shop from traditional handcrafts to fashion, décor and homeware to vintage and antique and from inspired arts to children’s arts and crafts.

Where: 50 Bath Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 072 243 8582 | 076 731 0090 | Website: www.rosebanksundaymarket.co.za
Instagram: @rosebanksundaymarket | Facebook: @RosebankSundayMarket | Twitter: @RosebankSundayMarket

Lion & Safari Day Park

On Heritage Day we can’t forget about Africa’s most incredible wildlife. The Lion Park, an established tourist destination, loved by locals and foreigners alike, has become a popular experience for all over the last 50 years.

The park offers exciting activities. The Lion & Safari Park’s guided tours and self-drives are now open again. Explore 1000 hectare wilderness safari, animal interactions: hug a lion cub, feed some giraffe or ostrich and watch a lion feeding. The park is home to lions, cheetahs, hyenas, leopard, wild dogs, antelope, kudu, nyala and many more. There are a variety of tours to choose from including self-drives, or guided tours like the Predator Tour, Predator Safari Tour, Full Safari Tour, Private Tours, Night Feeding Tours, Guided Bush Walks, Alex Tour and the Giraffe Feed. Book here.

Pack a picnic or enjoy a meal from the onsite restaurants where there is a built in children’s play area. The safari park is open from 8.30am to 5pm. Price varies between R0 to R995pp and is dependent on the tour you book. Children under 12 are free.

Where: R512 Pelindaba Rd, Hartbeespoort, Broederstroom, 0240.
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 087 150 0100 | 076 187 3883 | Website: lionandsafaripark.com
Instagram: @lionandsafaripark | Facebook: @LionSafariPark | Twitter: @LionSafariPark

Market on Main at Design Quarters in Fourways

Celebrate Heritage Day, support locally and experience South Africa’s diversity at an outdoor market.

The Maboneng food market, Market on Main, is taking some of its taste of downtown Joburg to The Market on Main Pop-up market at Design Quarter this Heritage Day from 10am to 3pm, after having been paused due to Covid-19 regulations. Enjoy South African food as well as cuisines from all around the world, live music and curated vendors. Design Quarter will be trading as well.

Where: CNR William Nicol and Leslie East, Design Quarter 2191 Johannesburg, South Africa
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 082 868 1335 | Website: www.marketonmain.co.za
Instagram: @marketonmain | Facebook: @MarketOnMain | Pop-up at Design Quarter | Twitter: @MarketOnMainJHB

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens

The garden and nature reserve include both landscaped and natural areas within their boundaries of the garden. it is a popular area for outings and with a cascading waterfall, the garden is home to about 240 bird species, reptiles, butterflies and mammals.

The garden is open for picnics, bird watching and photography, walking, running and hiking. Pack your own picnic or visit the restaurant on site. The gardens is open from 8am to 5pm and entry into the garden is R60. Children under 6 are free and students and scholars are discounted.

Where: Malcolm Rd, Poortview, Roodepoort, 1724
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 079 778 3851 | 012 843 5000 | Website: www.sanbi.org
Facebook: @wsnbg | Twitter: @SisuluGarden

Joburg10k

Run Your City Virtually is an extension of the FNB Run Your City Series events. The race is 10km and can be run or walked from any location of your choice. The race will start at 6.30am and ends at 12pm. All COVID-19 regulations are still in place.

Entry into the race costs R195. All entrants residing in South Africa will receive a Race Pack worth R360 to be collected from a Pargo pickup location selected during the entry process. Book here.

The Race Pack includes:
-FNB RYCS Limited Edition Event Performance Tee
-FNB RYCS Race Number
-FNB Socks
-DHL Water Bottle
-POWERADE ZERO
-Access to the Run Your City Series Tracking App to use during the Heritage Day Virtual Run

Heritage Day Braai at Home

Spend the day with family and friends in safe places (or at home) and celebrate Heritage Day with a traditional South African braai. Over the years Heritage Day braais have evolved into its own culture. You could include some South African classic favourites like boerewors, sausages, pap, chakalaka, potato salad and braai broodjies.

Spice things up with authentic, ethnic spices and herbs from Funky Ouma. They use natural course from Walvis Bay and the Himalayas, the salt is ideal for cooking, braai, marinating, baking bread or even just a table salt. It’s a tastier healthier and natural substitute to your everyday salts and spice.

What’s a braai without meat. Jackson’s Real Food Market offers the finest meat, poultry and fish to make any shisa nyama lit! For the non-meat eaters, Infinite Foods has you covered with a selection of vegan and vegetarian braai options including the popular and trendy Beyond Meat range. From burgers to sausages, Beyond’s plant-based meats are made with intention. By combining expert innovation with simple, non-GMO ingredients, they deliver the meaty experience you crave without the compromise.

Don’t forget to end off your braai with some roasted marshmallows!