Things to Do in West End

Eyeballing wine, swirling, sniffing and swishing - it may look complicated or even snobbish, but the traditional wine-tasting technique is actually based on common sense. It's simply a way to pause for a moment, to stop and think, and to pay attention to the ways that the wine impacts on all your senses, from sight and scent to taste, aftertaste, and the overall impression that the wine leaves behind after you've finished.

The Mooi River Mall is a top class waterfront shopping mall straddling the Mooi River with 47 500 m2 of shops and 2 000 parking bays. The centre is the answer to shopping and entertainment par excellence for the Northwest region, with support expected from as far a field as Orkney, Ventersdorp and Carletonville. A first of its kind for the region, in the true sense, comparable to those centres akin to the major cities around South Africa, Mooi River sets the benchmark for centres to follow within the region

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre in Vereeniging is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

Oelie's Pub and Grub is the friendliest and busiest pub in Klerksdorp, serving hunger-busting meaty meals at all hours. At night Oelie's comes to life. There’s a great vibe on the dance floor with DJ's playing the beats from 9pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Whether you’re a local or a traveller, you’ll feel at home – either meeting up with friends or simply having a quiet drink. Open Monday to Saturday from 10am until late.

Home to South African football, Soccer City is the stadium where the 2010 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony took place and where the final whistle was blown. South Africa’s national football stadium, Soccer City was built in 1987 and is headquarters to the South African Football Association. Host to the 1996 African Cup of Nations, Soccer City is South Africa’s prime football venue and it will be the most important venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup – the kick-off site for the opening and the final match. The original seating capacity for 80 000 people was enlarged to accommodate 94 700 people. Along with this, the precinct now has a fully functional transport hub including a railway station. The rail system will serve future industrial, commercial and residential developments planned for the area after the football tournament. Besides the rail station, the transport hub has taxi, bus and rail drop off and pick up points. The total public transport capacity of the hub is projected to be 23 280 an hour. Why we love it? Soccer City is the main match venue for South Africa’s football squad, Bafana Bafana, as well as the simmering contests between local Soweto club rivals, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

Prepare to be deeply moved and overwhelmed by the striking Apartheid Museum. Situated opposite Gold Reef City, this interactive museum graphically testifies to the horrors and downfall of the Apartheid regime through extensive multi-media exhibits.Anyone who grew up during the Apartheid era should make their pilgrimage for this uncensored look at government-endorsed racism. On view is the footage that people around the globe were able to view except South Africans themselves. And if you were lucky enough to be born since democracy reshaped our nation, then this is a great resource to understand how we became a unity.Visitors are welcome to make a recording of their experiences under Apartheid or donate items such as photos and passbooks that are now deemed ‘artefacts’. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

Jozi’s magnificent world-class theatre always ensures that vistors receive a warm welcome when walking through the door.With its posh furnishings and luxuriant atmosphere, this lavishly styled 1 100-seat theatre recalls the opulence of the world's great opera houses.The Lyric is regarded as one of Jozi's top entertainment venues, presenting superlative Broadway and West End productions, local and international musicians, ballet, comedy and numerous shows. Tickets for all shows are available at Computicket or The Lyric Theatre Box Office on +27 (0)11 248 5168  ⁄ 5229 ⁄ 5000.

Gold Reef City Casino has a variety of superb restaurants along with unique entertainment. From the renowned Back O' The Moon restaurant and jazz bar, to Italian cuisine and Mediterranean magic, there is excellent variety to choose from. Carnivores won't find better value than Boston BBQ's incredible buffet dishes and the new Maestro Restaurant has a menu that offers something for everyone.In addition to the restaurants, there are a number of coffee shops and a Food Court with fast food outlets. You won't be hungry!

The Globe Theatre offers a variety of entertaining musical variety shows and comedy. The cosy and informal environment provides cocktail seating, a full-service bar and an appetizing menu of light food and drink.Boasting a colourful past, Jozi's original Globe Theatre opened in the early 1890s and was renamed the Empire Palace of Varieties. For a while it hosted the first moving picture shows in South Africa. Gandhi launched his campaign of ‘passive resistance’ here in 1907. The present day Globe Theatre is a replica of the original erected at Gold Reef City.

Gold diggers welcome! Have you ever tried panning for gold? Not many folk have witnessed how mining was done over a hundred-and-thirty years ago. Join experienced tour leaders for the experience of a lifetime as they take you back through the corridors of time into the original workings of the oldest gold mine in Gauteng.Wearing hard hats and lamps, you will get to use the original equipment of coco pans, picks, shovels, pit props and rope winches to crush ore and even pan your own gold! Blaauwbank Historic Gold Mine even has the only permit in the country that allows you to take the gold that you have panned home!