Artistic expressions

Comedy in South Africa

South African comedy culture authenticates the country’s diverse multi-cultural backdrop, which consists of eclectic communities, colourful people, interesting stories and a multitude of languages. more
Ladysmith Black Mambazo

The music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo has won numerous awards and accolades over the last 4 decades and they are recognised as among South Africa’s most successful cultural exports. more
Athol Fugard

Discover the inspiring legacy of one of South Africa’s great playwrights, novelists, actors, directors and teachers; Athol Fugard. more
The Bioscope

The Bioscope, Johannesburg's only independent cinema, prides itself on sharing some of South Africa’s best local content at a boutique venue in the heart of the city. more

More about Artistic expressions

Leliekloof Valley of Art

South Africa is world famous for its rock art, but few know of hidden treasure troves like the Eastern Cape’s Leliekloof Valley of Art. more

Durban's theatres

The theatres of Durban (eThekwini) offer serious and lighthearted contemporary performances without losing sight of the rich indigenous wisdoms that belong to this balmy corner of the country. more

Sol Plaatjie

Sol Plaatje made his mark in South Africa as a pioneering intellectual, journalist, linguist, politician, translator and writer, in spite of the racial laws of the time. more

Urban experiences in KwaZulu-Natal

1Gateway Shopping Centre

Located on Umhlanga Ridge, the enormous Gateway Theatre of Shopping offers 380 different stores, a skateboarding park, indoor wall climbing, the world's only double D-Rex wave pool, loads of indoor and outdoor restaurants, kiddies' entertainment, 20 movie theatres and a Barnyard Theatre featuring live performances.

2The Victoria Street Market

This oriental haven filled with the rich aromas of tumeric, ginger, garlic and curry powder mingled with incense is reminiscent of India. This is a perfect place to shop for spices and fabrics. It’s a colourful and busy place where the best bargains can be found by lively negotiation with sellers.

3Moses Mabhida Stadium

This imposing structure is as impressive from the air as it is when you step into its cavernous interior. Its design is representative of a unified South Africa and features an interior bungee swing and exterior sky car which travels to the top of its massive arch to offer a view over the whole of Durban and the Indian Ocean.

4Hare Krishna Temple

The largest of its kind in Africa, the Hare Krishna (Sri Sri Radhanath Temple of Understanding) was built in the Indian suburb of Chatsworth in 1969. Created in the image of a lotus flower, the temple comprises an ornate mix of marble tiles, gold-tinted windows, brass ornaments and crystal chandeliers. The temple is also popular for its superb vegetarian cuisine.

5Wilson's Wharf

With a view that's best appreciated at night, when the harbour lights reflect off the ocean, the many restaurants that make up Wilson's Wharf are popular late afternoon spots to enjoy a meal or drinks as the sun sets. The small Catalina Theatre forms part of the wharf development, as do a number of curio shops and boat hire companies.

6The Chief Albert Luthuli Convention Centre

One of the world's premier conference facilities, the Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban (eThekwini) hosts a number of annual exhibitions that attract visitors both international and domestic.

7Natal Society of Arts Gallery

The Natal Society of Arts Gallery lies in the heart of Glenwood, a short drive from the city centre. This is the place to buy KwaZulu-Natal art and craft in a wide variety of media such as ceramics, fibre art, basketware, jewellery, resin sculpture, metalwork, glassware, textiles, wooden artifacts and much more. Take a break for coffee at the adjacent Artscafe.

8Pietermaritzburg City Hall

The Pietermaritzburg City Hall is an ornate Victorian period structure with a large belltower. It is officially recognised as the biggest brick building in the southern hemisphere and houses one of the world's largest pipe organs.

9BAT Centre

Situated in Durban's small craft harbour, the Bartle Arts Trust (BAT) Centre is a sanctuary for traditional artists. Find it off Durban's Margaret Mncadi Avenue (Victoria Embankment). It features shops, a restaurant, bar, hall, studios, exhibition galleries, music practice rooms, a dance studio, resource center and conference room, all designed to showcase the talent of KwaZulu-Natal.

10Francis Farewell Square

This historic square in the centre of Durban (eThekwini) marks the first 19th century settlement which later gave rise to the city. It is named in honour of Henry Francis Flynn, a prominent leader of the time.Opposite the square lies the Durban (eThekwini) City Hall, a replica of Ireland's Belfast City Hall, built in 1910.