Shopping

Thanks to the favourable exchange rate, South Africa is a shopper’s paradise for international visitors.
Foodstuffs, clothing, diamonds, gold, jewellery, leather goods, African curios, art, antiques and fashion clothing are all “good buys”.

There are modern shopping centres in all major cities – offering bargains that international visitor’s simply cannot afford to miss.

In Cape Town , for instance Canal Walk, a new leisure, entertainment and shopping complex has opened, boasting more than 400 retail outlets.
On the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has more than 240 shops selling everything from high fashion to curios.

Adderley Street is a busy shopping thoroughfare running through the centre of the city, while St George’s Mall has a number of exciting boutiques.

Claremont is the shopping Mecca of the city’s southern suburbs, with Cavendish Square its main attraction.
To the north, situated conveniently between Cape Town and the wine lands is Tyger Valley, one of the largest shopping centres in the Cape.

As well as a fascinating Indian market, Durban has some great places for retail therapy.
Just north of Durban is a new leisure, entertainment and shopping complex called Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

The Wheel near the beachfront has 140 shops, bars, cinemas and restaurants, while conveniently situated close to the city centre, with 120 speciality stores, is The Workshop.

Off the N3 near Westville, The Pavilion attracts more than a million visitors a month.

There are some huge shopping malls in and around Johannesburg. In Sandton Square and Sandton City, tourists can rub shoulders with the rich and famous seeking designer labels, jewellery and African art.
Other upmarket malls in Johannesburg include Hyde Park and Rosebank.

Eastgate houses South Africa’s leading retailers and each Saturday draws some 80 000 shoppers. Another big mall is situated in Fourways.

Shopaholics in Pretoria flock to Brooklyn Mall and Menlyn park which as well as over 300 shops, has 15 cinemas including a rooftop drive-in, an Imax Theatre and an events area for concerts and sporting events.
With its Olympic size ice rink, 10 movie theatres and a Magic Company Entertainment Centre the Kolonnade Centre is a great place for families.

So when you’re in a South Africa city it pays to shop ‘til you drop!

Flea markets are to be found in all South Africa’s major cities, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth to name but a few.
They operate mainly during weekends, giving small traders the chance to sell a wide range of South African crafts, providing shoppers with unusual souvenirs at cheap prices.

Visit the huge flea market at Bruma Lake near Eastgate shopping centre, a mere 15 minutes’ drive from central Johannesburg.

At the Michael Mount Organic Market, near Bryanston near Johannesburg there are 120 stalls offering exquisite handicrafts such as leather goods, pottery, jewellery, embroidered linen, hand painted silk and other unusual gifts.

Shops open from 08h30 to 17h00 Mondays to Fridays and from 08h30 – 13h30 on Saturdays and Sundays, although in the main centres, opening hours are likely to be longer.
Hours may vary from province to province.