What’s on where across South Africa this January
ARTS
PICTURE THEORY: DAVID GOLDBLATT EXHIBITION
Until 19 January | District Six, Cape Town | a4arts.org
This free exhibition at the A4 Arts Foundation in District Six showcases the work of “social cartographer” David Goldblatt, whose images captured the intricacies of South African life for more than 60 years. It takes an interesting twist, removing the images from their chronology and context, and finding surprising links across time and themes.
ZIP ZAP CIRCUS
2-8 January | V&A Waterfront, Cape Town | zip-zap.co.za
Take a break from the tourist throngs at the V&A Waterfront, and catch the city’s non-profit community circus in action. Based around the amphitheatre, the show is free, and includes juggling, acrobatics and everything else you’d expect from a high-quality, high-energy circus.
JOHANNESBURG INTERNATIONAL MOZART FESTIVAL
19 January-3 February | Johannesburg | join-mozart-festival.org
With events and performances around the city, the 10th annual JIMF breathes innovative life into the usual formality of classical music. This year’s theme is “Ein Musikalischer Spaß” (A Musical Joke), which sets the tone for an accessible approach to the celebration.
THE MOUSETRAP
From 23 January | Montecasino, Johannesburg | computicket.com
Agatha Christie’s famous murder mystery comes to the stage, and even if you know how it ends, you’ll still delight at the twists and tension. It’s been dubbed “the cleverest murder mystery of British theatre”, and it comes with the traditional request: don’t give the ending away to anyone outside the theatre.
LIFESTYLE
GALILEO OPEN AIR CINEMA
All month | Cape Town | thegalileo.co.za
Cape Town’s gardens and wine estates – combined with its clear summer skies – make it the perfect venue for open-air cinema. The Galileo covers a range of venues (some pop-ups, others permanent) across the city, promising a great night out with good food and good movies. Check out at Meerendal Wine Estate, at Vredenheim Wildlife & Winery and at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
KIRSTENBOSCH SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Sundays | Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town | webtickets.co.za
The open-air summer music concerts on Kirstenbosch’s manicured lawns have become a highlight of Cape Town’s entertainment calendar, and this year’s roster is as good as ever. Enjoy a month of hugely popular local acts, from Goldfish (6th) to The Parlotones (13th), Freshlyground (20th) and Mafikizolo (27th). Among all that, international singer James Morrison’s show on 26 January feels almost like an afterthought…
TLOKWE JAZZ MUSIC FESTIVAL
1 January | Potchefstroom | bigdaddy247events.co.za
Potch Dam hosts the 13th annual Tlokwe Family Day and Jazz Festival, which forms part of the broader Tlokwe Chillaz festivities. Featuring artists such as Dr Tumi and Brenda Mtambo, it’s a highlight of the North West’s otherwise-quiet January calendar.
L’ORMARINS QUEEN’S PLATE
4-5 January | Kenilworth Racecourse, Cape Town | lqp.co.za
Sure, it’s a horse race – but between the blue/white theme, the R1,5-million main prize purse, and the various events and after-parties attached to it, the 158th L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate is as much a social gathering as it is an equestrian event.
THE SUN MET
26 January | Kenilworth Racecourse, Cape Town | sunmet.co.za
After a few quiet years, Cape Town’s fabled Met returned with a bang in 2018. The 2019 edition – styled as “Africa’s Richest Race Day” – continues that comeback with the theme “African Luxury: Precious Metals”. The day will include high fashion, world-class entertainment and the small matter of a high-stakes horse race.
SPORTS
PAKISTAN TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA
All month | Across South Africa | cricket.co.za
Summer’s international cricket series sees the always-unpredictable Pakistan playing two five-day Test matches (in Cape Town from 3 to 7 January; and in Johannesburg from 11 to 15 January), before the excitement of the five-match ODI series. The ODIs will take place in Port Elizabeth (19th), Durban (22nd), Centurion (25th), Johannesburg (27th) and Cape Town (30th).
SUMMER FAST ONE
13 January | Johannesburg | spectrumsport.co.za
Pop down to Alberton’s Rand Water Grounds just south of Jo’burg for a quick-paced mountain-bike event. Four fast-flowing routes (70km, 40km, 10km and a 4km kiddies’ route) through the local wetlands ensure something for all levels – and, as the name suggests, it’s a great opportunity to post an early-year PB.
SHIFT WELLNESS SUMMER TRAIL RUN
27 January | Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Johannesburg | facebook.com/shiftwellnesscollective
Get to know the Walter Sisulu garden better with a trail run. The event will have three routes: a 5km (Blue) fun-run route for those who’re in it for the Vitality points; an 8km (Orange) route for the weekend warriors; and a 13km (Green) route for serious runners looking to stretch their legs with some elevation.
STANDARD BANK IRONMAN 70.3
27 January | East London | eu.ironman.com
Start with a 2km ocean swim at East London’s Orient Beach, then cycle 90km through the city’s rolling hills, before ending with a 21km flat run along the beachfront. It’s tough – but that’s Ironman for you. The East London event makes the most of Buffalo City’s unique heritage and location, and earns its international standing by offering 75 qualifying slots for the 2019 Ironman 70.3 world champs in France.
FOOD & DRINK
DELHEIM HARVEST FESTIVAL
26 January | Delheim Wine Estate, Stellenbosch | delheim.com
Play your part in the Cape Winelands harvest. Grapes are summer fruits, so they need to be harvested in February and March – and the season starts with Delheim’s annual festival of picking, processing and partying. The theme for 2019’s event is “Rosé”, so book your tickets and put on something pink.
CONFERENCE
REAL SUCCESS 2019
19-20 January | Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand | realsuccess19.com
Aiming to drive prosperity in South Africa, this free conference will accommodate 4 000 people at the venue, with thousands more following online. Five successful local entrepreneurs and speakers will focus on financial independence, business, a positive mind-set, and quality of life. Expect inspiring talks from Ann Wilson, Billy Selekane, Brian Walsh, Justin Cohen and Robin Banks to help you make 2019 your best year yet.
