As we celebrate National Women’s Day on August 9 Max Marx looks at a selection of excursions and activities women can enjoy together in Gauteng.
There are loads of different and entertaining activities in and around Gauteng for the fairer sex to explore this August.
For a pamper session with a difference, Zaza’s Guesthouse & Spa in Pimville, Soweto, offers deluxe accommodation that is the perfect place to unwind after a thrilling day of adventure.
Its luxurious spa with two treatment rooms offers a range of massage and beauty treatments, while its well-appointed accommodation comprises a deluxe suite with queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom with shower and private balcony; and two standard rooms – with queen-sized or twin beds and a shared bathroom.
To celebrate National Women’s Day, owner, Ayanda Hermanus, is offering women two attractive packages for the month of August. The day package starts from R1 150pp and includes a half-day tour, 60-minute hot-stone massage and buffet lunch. The overnight package, from R1 650pp, includes one night’s accommodation with full English breakfast, a half-day tour, a hot-stone massage, and R300 dinner voucher for Restaurant Vilakazi on Vilakazi Street. Zaza’s offers free WiFi and operates a shuttle service for guests.
Guests can choose from three half-day tours: Birding on Bicycle – an off-road mountain bike birding adventure guided by Bay of Grace Tours, that explores birding in Soweto’s green spaces; a Sophiatown tour with Eyitha Tours that explores Sophiatown’s rich history and heritage; and a walking or electronic bike tour of Alexandra township with operator, The Hub Presents. The tour visits Mandela’s Yard, Alexandra Heritage Centre, Olive Tree Theatre, a traditional healer, and residents’ homes that have been transformed into mini art galleries showcasing local artists’ works.
Ultimate indulgence
Another great option for a fabulous day out with the girls is a spa party at the Four Seasons Spa Westcliff, at the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff. Here one can start the day with a delicious health or traditional breakfast at the spa’s Westcliff deli before enjoying a range of treatments from soothing massages and facials to exfoliation and manicures. The spa has a 25-metre lap pool and a rooftop lounge with full bar and magnificent views, where guests can unwind and enjoy sundowners.
The spa experience can be combined with lunch at the casual dining Flames restaurant or afternoon tea at the signature View restaurant. The View is famous for its afternoon tea, with a choice of sweet and savoury delights.
Shopping with a difference
For the more adventurous, Past Experiences’ ‘I Love Shopping Tour’ in Johannesburg’s inner city is one that women love, says owner, Jo Buitendach. The walking tour visits fabric, clothing, handbag and coat shops, a traditional medicine shop as well as a Chinese supermarket. “A lot of people come on this tour to visit the fabric shops, as Ferreirasdorp and Diagonal Street are famous for traditional fabrics like Shweshwe. On the tour they learn about the history of the fabrics and who wears what,” says Jo.
The scheduled two-hour budget tours cost R160 per person, while private tours cost R900 for two, with the per person price decreasing as more people are booked on the tour. Private groups of 10 pay just R160 per person. The tour starts and ends at the new Mad Giant brewery at The Sheds at 1 Fox Street, where the group can enjoy lunch after the tour.
Explore quaint Cullinan
For those who want to get out of the city, Cullinan offers a great day out. Just 30km east of Pretoria, the main attraction in this well-preserved 19th century mining town with its Edwardian period buildings, is the Cullinan Diamond Mine, where the world-renowned Cullinan diamond was discovered. There are also quaint shops in the village, a great selection of restaurants, outdoor cafés and a lovely selection of guesthouses for those who want to stay the night.
Cullinan Tourism and History is the only operator in town that offers an underground tour of the mine.
The Underground Mine Tour (R550pp to the public and R500pp STO rates), takes visitors down the mine to see how diamonds are extracted. The tour price includes two above-ground tours that can also be booked separately. These are the 90-minute Journey of a Diamond tour, and the Historical Village Tour. The Journey of a Diamond tour takes visitors through the surface workings of the mine on a truck. The tour visits the mineshaft where diamond-bearing ore is hauled to the surface and then proceeds to the crushers, sort house, mine dumps and the big hole, which is four times larger than the Big Hole in Kimberley. The public rate is R150pp and the STO rate, R120pp.
The Historical Village Tour is loads of fun. Guests learn about Cullinan’s fascinating history while being transported through the village on an old railway tram pulled by a tractor. The public rate is R80 and the STO rate, R65.
Two other operators, Premier Diamond Tours and Cullinan Tours, offer surface walking tours of the mine. Both offer STO rates.
