Locals Guide to Shopping in South Africa
Johannesburg, Cape Town and many other cities in South Africa compare well with big world cities when it comes to shopping.
Shopping Malls are in abundance. In Cape Town, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Mall and Canal Walk are favorites. The Waterfront has convenient food stores to brand name stores and boutiques. Craft stores, bookstores and chain clothing stores can make choices hard. Numerous restaurants and coffee shops will provide sustenance for tired shopping bodies.
Johannesburg offers a mall around every corner. Located at the entrance to Johannesburg on the airport side is the Eastgate Mall. With its massive size, it will take visitors a couple of days to visit every shop. If your taste buds are craving the very best in breads, cakes and pastries, try visiting the Bread Basket. In addition, this mall offers name brand shops such as Hang Ten, Levi Strauss, Guess and many more.
Just outside Durban in Umhlanga Rocks is Gateway with approximately 370 different shops. Apart from the shops which includes fashion, homeware, food stores, pharmacies and many specialty shops there is also a Barnyard theatre. Barnyard is a unique South African theatre concept made possible by two theatre industry people in 1996.
The popularity of the Barnyard Theater has grown to over twelve theaters across South Africa. Each one offers the unique feel of a rustic barn while at the same time containing the proper equipment to provide patrons with a quality show. Ticket prices are generally lower than most other theaters and guests are welcome to bring their own picnic lunch or dinner. Drinks must be purchased at the bar and if anyone does not wish to bring a picnic, they have the option of purchasing food at a snack bar.
Shopping is however not only reserved for Malls. Flea markets are still going strong and street vendors are all over. On the way to the Kruger National Park you will find many stalls along the roads where you can buy anything from a basket to a wood carved product for a fraction of the shop price.
The Bruma Lake Fleamarket provides shoppers with a wide array of authentic South African products and is massive in size. The Greenmarket Square in Cape Town’s inner city is open for shopping every day but Sunday. The Rooftop Market in Rosebank, Johannesburg and the Milnerton Fleamarket on the West Coast road offer visitors authentic African products and collectibles such as clothing, pottery sets and jewelry.
Shoppers will be mesmerized by the Western Cape as linens. materials, shoes and clothing are offered at rock bottom prices in many factory outlets.
Always be sure to bring plenty of money and bags to carry your unique finds when shopping in South Africa.