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Newtown
Newtown, Johannesburg, 2113
The basics
A few Johannesburg city tours visit Newtown, including some with a focus on Nelson Mandela: The anti-apartheid hero set up South Africa’s first Black-owned law firm here with Oliver Tambo. If you’re visiting independently, Museum Africa provides a great route into South Africa’s rich history, while both kids and adults enjoy the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre. The Market Theatre hosts music, dance, and drama, and Niki’s Oasis is a top choice for live jazz, plus there are many smaller dance and music venues.
Things to know before you go
Newtown will appeal to history buffs, architecture fans, and lovers of music and culture.
Watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas, such as around the Market Theatre, or during events in Mary Fitzgerald Square.
Most large attractions in Newtown are wheelchair accessible: Disability rights are part of South Africa’s constitution.
How to get there
Newtown is west of the city center, and Mary Fitzgerald Square is less than a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) walk from Johannesburg Park Station. The hop-on, hop-off Red Bus stops at Newtown Precinct, or you can walk, drive, take a metered taxi or rideshare (through Uber or Bolt), or join a tour.
When to get there
You can visit Newtown day or night, but avoid poorly lit areas after dark. Nights can be surprisingly chilly during Johannesburg’s winter season (June through August), with temperatures dropping as low as 37.5°F (3°C).
Mary Fitzgerald Square
Named for South Africa’s first female trade unionist, Mary Fitzgerald, Newtown’s main square is the hub of the city and home to Museum Africa. The vast open space features an art installation of heads carved from old railway sleepers, and is a popular place for live shows, including October’s Back to the City Festival, one of Africa’s largest hip-hop events.
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