Welcome to the new Johannesburg – South Africa’s most vibrant metropolis

Often known as “Jo’burg” or “Jozi” by locals, Johannesburg is experiencing a true renaissance at the moment.  Energetic and ever-changing, this dynamic African city fairly vibrates with music and buzzes with new business.  A once-maligned metropolis, with a reputation that dissuaded tourists from visiting, currently Jo’burg is much like the blooming lilac jacaranda trees (pictured) that flourish at this time of year; it is coming alive again. Indeed these blossoming flowers which line the boulevards of the sprawling city are a beautiful symbol of the city’s transformation.

Jo’burg today is a place of complicated contrasts; with chrome and glass high-rises soaring beside houses in an Edwardian or Victorian style, and in the affluent suburbs, stunning private homes lie behind towering fences not far from the tiny shoebox houses of the massive Soweto township.  For the visitor, there is a wide array on offer.  Packed with stylish restaurants, elegant shops, and impressive art galleries, it’s a city certain to delight the most discriminating of guests.  Inner city suburbs such as Newtown and Braamfontein have a fantastic range of cultural treats in store too; the city’s burgeoning restaurant scene now means you can eat as well in Johannesburg as you can in London or New York.  And with more than 10-million inhabitants, the city has a pulsating and contagious energy that began more than a century ago with the gold rush and has yet to slow down.

The Business Center: Sandton

As South Africa’s largest and most prosperous city, often called the economic powerhouse of Africa, it’s likely that your visit to Johannesburg may be business related. If so, rest assured there are some lovely places to stop overnight.

Within the central business district, you’ll find many luxurious yet convenient options. You can be spoiled and streamlined at the same time at the Michelangelo Hotel.  Near the Sandton Convention Centre, this five-star property makes your business life easy on all fronts. It’s connected to both the Nelson Mandela Square (pictured) and Sandton City retail complexes – which means you step outside and walk to meetings if desired.

The Sandton Sun Hotel, with newly renovated and stylish rooms, and the chic Sandton Towers Hotel are also well suited for the business traveler.

Another option not to be overlooked is the new Four Seasons Hotel Westcliff, about 10km south of Sandton. This decadent hillside property overlooks the magnificent Johannesburg Zoo. With a signature destination spa and two pools, Four Seasons Hotel Westcliff is additionally a great choice if your family is along for the ride during your business trip.  Further adding to its charms is its location, a mere 25-minutes drive from the airport.

Wine, wine everywhere

Whether visiting for business or pleasure, any visit to Jo’burg would be incomplete without the robust consumption of some of South Africa’s exceptional wines.  Fortunately, you don’t have to travel South Africa’s wine route across this vast country to enjoy the best that South Africa’s offers. Although a trip through the Winelands region is well worth it as holiday time allows, a local visit to the Wine Cellar in the Dunkeld West Shopping Centre also will set you on the right wine path. The Wine Cellar hosts fine wine tastings throughout the year.

Alternatively, you can enjoy your selections at one of the city’s many fine dining restaurants. Consider DW Eleven-13 for lunch or dinner. Its in house Sommelier is sure to offer some exceptional pairing recommendations. DW Eleven-13 is a winner all-around, with a very convenient proximity to the Wine Cellar if you’d like to stock up on any delicious discoveries.

If you need fewer dining courses or a great business lunch, try Dino’s Trattoria. It’s a local neighborhood favorite for Italian dishes and wood-fired pizzas with fresh, colorful ingredients. Another popular option is the all-day bistro Lacuna at the Maslow. Its open kitchen is appealing, as is the garden bar with live music and a range of wine, whiskey, and beer options. Read a Lacuna review here.

Get more reviews of Johannesburg’s fine dining restaurants and all options by category.

Want to know before you go? Browse these guides to wine options:

The Guardian’s South Africa Wine Route

Top Ten South Africa Wine Estates

CNN’s 10 Sensational South Africa Wine Farms

Fodor’s Wine Lovers Guide to South Africa

Top South Africa Wines

Top South Africa Wines 2014-2015, by category

Must-visit attractions

If time allows, visit three emotionally-powerful reminders of South Africa’s past. The Apartheid Museum is a world-class facility offering a closer look at South Africa’s policy of racial discrimination through mesmerizing, interactive displays and film footage.  The building itself resembles the prison-like conditions of Robben Island – a stark reminder of the state of mind of the entire Apartheid South Africa. Fortunately the museum also offers inspiration as well, highlighting the victory by the ANC in their anti-apartheid struggle – and with a focus on modern South Africa as a multiracial nation with one of the world’s most progressive constitutions. Constitution Hill (pictured) overlooks the city and suburbs, and includes a prison museum (where, among others, Gandhi and Mandela were detained) as well as the architecturally-profound Constitutional Court, built in 2004.  And it would certainly be worth-while to join a tour of the iconic Soweto township. Visitors can view an early home of Nelson Mandela – now a museum on Vilakazi Street – the only road on the planet where two Nobel Peace Prize winners have resided (the other being Archbishop Desmond Tutu).

Business tips

If it’s your first-time business trip to Johannesburg – it’s always a good idea to freshen up on business etiquette unique to the area. Learn more here or get more extensive resources from Kwintessential, including a free training brochure and cultural crash course.

Constitution Hill Jail Cells photo courtesy of Constitution Hill.