Chic Jozi: The Jo’burg Pocketbook
by Nadine Rubin and Nikki Temkin
(Struik)
This guide is a real pocketbook, which can fit well in your handbag or jacket. Compiled by two young women who refer to themselves as “Jo’burg natives”, it is not a disappointment. Former Elle editor-in-chief Nadine Rubin says she has been researching this book ever since she went to her first nightclub at the age of 14.
In the section titled Me Me Me, the book informs you about the best shops, health spas and service centres such as dry cleaners, tailors and motor spares. The typical Jozi girl in this instance is Nkhensani Manganyi, Nicole Fox, Thandiswa Mazwai and Kuli Roberts all rolled into one sexy, fast-paced, strong-willed, slightly dangerous and extremely glamorous individual — this section is about keeping yourself happy.
Out and About is the party-time section: where to go from downtown to Rivonia, Sandton, Melville and Norwood. This part of the book will take care of your weekend, for those who want to be seen. There is also information on where to eat if you’re a vegetarian, places to go for good African cuisine and the best restaurants for seafood lovers. Since Jo’burg is such a cosmopolitan city, a French, Nigerian, South American or Chinese person would have his or her tastes covered in the city of bright lights with streets of gold. The museums, clubs, theatres and galleries are also covered.
Home Sweet Home is all about shopping for your “nest” — where to buy flowers, antiques, food and so on. The superstore list includes everything from the CJ Chinese Supermarket to the 24-hour Fontana Spar in Hillbrow, as well as Fruits and Roots in Hyde Park.
The compilers’ knowledge of the big city is evident. On Youth Day, this scribe and his pals packaged their fun day using this book as a guide and, for the first time in two years, we went somewhere other than our beloved Newtown. Contact details are provided and the index is very useful. Chic Jozi is a must-have for every Jo’burg metrophile.
Sabata-mpho Mokae is Kaya FM’s literary critic. He is on air with Buyile Mdladla every Monday between 11am and noon