Despite the many woes widely reported in local and international press, spring has brought a lightness to Jozi’s step and her wry smile is breaking into a jubilant laugh as the crackling dryness of the winter months have given way to the glistening sap-green of new leaf growth. A lilac mist of the first Jacaranda blossoms has begun to settle over the suburbs north of the ridge. The diary fills up with exhibition openings and walkabouts, markets, events and theatre performances. But to Liz at Lancaster first:
Liz at Lancaster’s Tripadvisor ranking in Johannesburg: 2/319 guesthouses and 3/973 B&Bs in the city
The most recent review from September 2005:
My wife and I had the pleasure of a night’s stay in the Earth room in September, following a stay of 3 nights in the Blue Room in August. Accessible, accommodating, excellent service from start to finish. We thoroughly enjoyed the charm, comfort and cleanliness of both rooms, neither of which lacked for anything. It truly felt like we were home from home in every way possible. The quiet surroundings and firm mattresses were especially appreciated … can’t remember sleeping so comfortably in all of the places we’ve travelled to over the years. The breakfasts prepared by Mr T were superb. Location couldn’t have been better. We will be recommending Liz at Lancaster to all of our friends. Kevin & Karen
Read more reviews here.
Liz at Lancaster spring garden
We always receive ongoing compliments about the garden but with the magenta azaleas, star jasmine, and milky white arums of spring, guests have been even more bowled over than usual.
Gaia, an exhibition of artists’ books runs until year end
The current exhibition at the Jack Ginsberg Centre for the Book Arts at Wits Art Museum runs until the 13th December … and with any luck might even stay open until January. The skill, craftmanship and creativity of the books on display are breathtaking. For an appetizer and an overview of the exhibition read here.
Jozi hospitality epitomized
Liz at Lancaster hosted guests from the United States recently who were interested in design textiles and crafts. After chatting with them we drew up an “art route” for them starting at The Centre for Book Arts and then moving to Kim Sacks Gallery and ending up at the Everard Read Gallery to see the Gerhard Marx exhibition. I took them in to Braamfontein and introduced them to David Paton the curator of Gaia, and left them in the glorious treasure chamber to make their way back along the art route to Liz at Lancaster. The next morning at breakfast I asked how it all went. Out tumbled “Guess where we had supper last night …. At Kim Sacks’ home”. It transpired that in awe and wonderment of the artists’ books, they had moved on to Kim Sacks Gallery, where they met Kim, who in true Jozi open-home hospitable mode,said ” Why don’t you join us for supper at my home tonight”. Which they did. There aren’t many places in the world this would happen.
Look out for these events in 2026 …
SA Symphonic Jazz Songbook – a annual event
Currently completing his PhD in South African solo jazz pianism, Yonela Mnana’s ability to hold and guide an audience was phenomenal. One minute there were spontaneous responses and interaction from the auditorium and the next minute, without any overt signal, you could have heard a pin-drop in the packed 1000-seater space. Siyabonga Mthembu whose self-designated label of performance artist rather than a musician, aptly reflects his charismatic, commanding and gritty stage presence with his part-spoken part-sung poetic social commentaries.
Jozi Walks – watch out for more to come
In 2017 the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) initiated a number of sponsored walking tours. Calling for proposals from local community activists, walking tour operators, and heritage specialists, these walks were a great success and were repeated in 2018 and 2019. In 2018 I joined a Diepsloot bike ride (although I decided walking was a wiser option), as well as a walk through Orlando East in Soweto. And in 2019 I chose the walks through Alex and Soweto. For more read the blogs in the links. And then the dreaded Covid lockdowns hit. So it was with great excitement that Jozi-ites welcomed the arrival of #JoziWalks 2025, this time initiated by Jozi my Jozi in partnership with Johannesburg In your Pocket. Over the last weekend of September which is Heritage month, 15 walks took place, mostly to parts of Jozi’s inner city. The brief given to potential hosts was that the ideal walk should:
- Celebrate the real Joburg, the stories of places and people, and the spirit of the city.
- Foster community connection.
- Offer insights into what makes a neighbourhood work
The walks I chose, Hillbrow and Mai Mai Market, were to areas which can be quite edgy and where ideally one is accompanied by a local. Quite a sensory overload and lots to process in future blogs.
Linden – second best Jozi suburb after Craighall Park
As far back as 2017 I wrote about Linden as a little gem of a suburb with all sorts of interesting shops; restaurants, delis and coffee shops; activity stores. And now it has been rated by Time Out as the #17 spot on Time Out’s Global list of the Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World in 2025. Time Out describes their criteria as “places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play.” Four shops in Linden are on my regular beat:
- the wonderfully old-fashioned personal-service Rembrandt Butchery which still carries its original Afrikaans Slaghuis descriptor.
- the excellent Art Savings Club where knowledgeable attendants are always willing to help
- Founded in 1902 how much more old world could one get – Arthur Bales, a proper haberdashery store with fabrics, buttons, bows, wools, patterns, thimbles galore – and oh such friendly and competent staff
- The Cheese Gourmet with its inbeatable collection of artisanal cheeses. Nothing like it
And for a real foodie treat – try some sublime Chinese potstickers at Pron
December holiday shows
Pinocchio at the Joburg Theatre
And finally there are two wonderful upcoming shows to take your mind off the madness and trauma of local and world events – Janice Honeyman never fails to deliver her annual December holiday pantomime … the theme of Pinocchio will allow for loads of adult political innuendos. The only difference is that Pinocchio’s nose grew longer with every porky-pie he told, and this does not hold true for many of those in leadership positions today. This is Janice Honeyman’s 38th annual pantomime – how’s that for resilience, tenacity and a tribute to her talent.
Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour DreamCoat at Pieter Toerien Theatre, Monte Casino
Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat had sold-out performances during August and September and returns to Pieter Toerien Theatre on the 5th December through until the 1st February. South African musical productions are always world class – with an originality, contemporaneity, vitality and joie de vivre which is always remarkable, And Joseph is no exception. What is really extraordinary about this musical is just how it has stood the test of time. It was first staged in its full version on London’s West End in 1973; and 50 years later it is still performed by schools and professional artists. But more than that the South African in-jokes and humour in this latest production are what make this show so joyous and special – as one in our group said “Every costume is an Afrika Burn outfit right there”; crops are gathered in a Woolies bag; and Joseph’s coat is delivered in a Snakealot box.
And so 2025 comes to a close ….