Adventure At Your Fingertips

Celebrate Heritage Day Weekend at Fourways Mall

This Heritage Day weekend, Fourways Mall invites shoppers, families, and friends to come together for a celebration of South African culture, community, and entertainment.From 25 to 27 September, visitors can enjoy a vibrant lineup of experiences on the Level 7 Rooftop Parking, with something for everyone.Friday: Start the Weekend at the Night MarketThe weekend kicks off on Friday, 25 September, with the Night Market from 4pm to 10pm, offering an evening of food, shopping and entertainment against the Johannesburg skyline.Saturday: Celebrate the Fourways CommunityOn Saturday, 26 September, the Fourways Improvement District Community Day will bring the community together from 10am to 4pm, celebrating local talent, businesses and proudly South African spirit. Entry is free.Sunday: Catch the Rugby at the Game Day MarketSunday, 27 September, promises a Game Day Market and rugby screening from 10am to 2pm, creating the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the sporting action with family and friends. Tickets are available via Webtickets.Plan Your Heritage Day WeekendWhether you're looking for a fun night out, a family-friendly community experience or a day of sport and entertainment, Fourways Mall is the place to be this Heritage Day weekend.For more information and ticket details, visit Fourways Mall's social media platforms.

A Johannesburg-Specific Guide to Healthcare Options for Pens...

Retirement should mean more time with grandchildren, gardening, and enjoying the city, not worrying about how to afford the next doctor’s visit. In Johannesburg, healthcare options for pensioners range from world-class private facilities to overburdened public hospitals. Choosing the right plan or combination of services can make the difference between comfort and financial strain. This guide unpacks healthcare options for Joburg’s pensioners, from full medical aid to free community clinics.Understanding the healthcare landscape in JohannesburgJohannesburg has some of South Africa’s best private hospitals, including Netcare Milpark, Life Brenthurst Clinic, and Mediclinic Morningside. However, private care can be costly, and without cover, many pensioners find the bills unaffordable.Key differences between facilities in Johannesburg include:Private hospitals: Shorter waiting times, choice of specialists, advanced equipment, comfortable wards, and better staff-to-patient ratios. The main drawback is high costs without medical aid or hospital cover.Public hospitals: Facilities like Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Helen Joseph Hospital provide treatment at a fraction of private costs. Quality of care is generally good for critical needs, but waiting lists and overcrowding are common.Community health clinics: These clinics offer basic consultations, chronic medication refills, immunisations, and wound care. Specialist practices: Johannesburg has many private specialists, but pensioners who use private specialists usually require a referral from a GP and will face high out-of-pocket costs without cover.Mobile health services: NGOs and municipal programmes offer free or low-cost mobile clinics for screenings and vaccinations, especially in underserved areas.Currently, the healthcare system is a mix of options. The National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill was only signed into law in 2024, and is still in phased implementation.Medical aid schemes for seniors often have higher monthly premiums, but they offer faster access and more choice. Hospital plans focus on emergencies and in-hospital treatment, which can be more affordable. Deciding between these options means weighing cost, convenience, and your ongoing health needs.Best health cover options for pensioners in JohannesburgPensioners in Johannesburg are not limited to medical aid for health coverage. While medical aid schemes are the most well-known form of cover, health insurance products have grown in popularity, offering lower premiums and more flexible benefits. Medical aid schemesThese operate on a cost-for-service basis and must cover the Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs), which include emergencies and chronic conditions. The premiums can be higher, but you can access private hospitals, specialists, and various treatments. Johannesburg-based pensioners can explore:Discovery Health:Active Smart (from R1,350 p/m) KeyCare Start Regional (from R1,184 p/m)Bonitas:BonStart (from R1,498 p/m)Primary Select (from R2,946 p/m)Bestmed:Beat1 Network (from R2,111 p/m)Beat2 Network (from R2,581 p/m)Health cover productsThese offer fixed payouts for certain events such as hospital stays, surgeries, or specialist visits. They are not regulated in the same way as medical aids and are not obligated to cover PMBs. Monthly costs are lower, making them an option for pensioners on a fixed income, but benefits are more limited. Examples include:Affinity Health – “Senior Plan” (from R1,299 p/m)Day 1 Health – Senior Comprehensive Plan (between R875 – R1,750 p/m)Hybrid approachSome pensioners choose a basic hospital plan through a medical aid and add health insurance or gap cover for specific needs. This can balance affordability with access to quality care.Affordable or free healthcare resources in Johannesburg for pensionersJohannesburg offers several affordable and even free healthcare options. While these might not provide the speed and comfort of private hospitals, they can still deliver quality care.Public hospitals and clinicsCharlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital, and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital remain the backbone of public healthcare in the city. Pensioners with a South African ID and proof of income can access treatment on a sliding fee scale, often paying only a nominal fee. Local community clinics in suburbs such as Brixton, Alexandra, and Eldorado Park offer free primary care services, including chronic medication refills, blood pressure checks, and immunisations.Municipal and NGO-run health programmesThe City of Johannesburg runs outreach and preventative health campaigns, including free screenings for diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers. NGOs like Phela Health and HospiceWits provide free or subsidised palliative care, home-based nursing, and support groups for pensioners with chronic illnesses.Mobile health unitsMobile clinics travel to underserved areas of Johannesburg, offering free services like dental care, optometry tests, and general check-ups. Pharmacy-based clinicsChains such as Clicks and Dis-Chem operate nurse-led clinics that provide basic services like wound care, vaccinations, and health screenings. Pensioners can access these services at reduced rates, and some pharmacies offer loyalty programme discounts for seniors.How to choose the right coverWhen comparing medical aid, health insurance, or hybrid plans, focus on the details that affect your day-to-day healthcare:Confirm your monthly premium limit and whether it will increase annually.Check if your preferred Johannesburg hospitals and GPs are in-network.Review cover for chronic medication, dentistry, and optometry.Ensure benefits include conditions common in older age, such as heart disease or arthritis.Understand waiting periods, co-payments, and annual limits.Consider travel distance and ease of access to the facilities you will use most.Affordable healthcare for Johannesburg pensioners is possible with the right mix of cover and resources. Compare plans carefully, explore free services, and choose an option that supports both your current needs and future health.

A Culinary Adventure Through Randburg: 7 Food Spots to Try

Randburg is made up of a collection of neighbourhoods, each with its own character and its own food identity. And if you're willing to explore beyond your usual coffee stop or go-to dinner spot, there's a whole culinary adventure waiting to be had. From freshly baked treats in Linden and Italian flavours in Craighall Park to sushi in Greenside, Portuguese food in Strydompark and generous Indian flavours in Northworld, there's plenty to discover, one delicious stop at a time.Pack your appetite and come hungry. We're taking you on a taste adventure through Randburg, with seven food spots that deserve a place on your culinary itinerary.Higher Ground Restaurant: Where the View Is Part of the MealLet's start somewhere with a little elevation.Set on the grounds of St Stithians College on Peter Place, Higher Ground Restaurant combines a beautiful setting with a menu designed for lingering. Its decks and terrace look out over the Johannesburg skyline, making it a lovely spot when you want your meal to feel like more than just a quick bite.Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, with the menu changing with the seasons and focusing on freshly prepared food with international influences.For a dining experience that's decidedly out of the ordinary, Higher Ground is also home to Sky Dining. On selected dates, guests can take their meal high above the St Stithians grounds for panoramic views of Johannesburg.Miyako Sushi: Come Hungry for SushiNext stop, Greenside.Miyako Sushi is where you go when the craving is for sushi and you're ready to settle in for a proper feast. The contemporary Asian restaurant serves an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet daily, making it an easy choice when you want to sample plenty and take your time over the meal.Miyako also caters for celebrations and larger gatherings, with space for up to 100 seated guests. Birthdays, bridal showers, corporate functions and Christmas parties are all catered for, so it can easily turn a sushi outing into a celebration.Swaadisht Foods: Take Your Taste Buds Somewhere DifferentA culinary adventure through Randburg wouldn't be complete without a stop for Indian flavours.At Swaadisht Foods in Northworld, you'll find a menu of more than 120 dishes, giving you plenty of opportunity to try something familiar or venture beyond your usual order. Bunny chow, breyani, curries and tandoori dishes sit alongside a wider selection influenced by Indian, South African and Chinese flavours.The restaurant prepares its food fresh using a pan-to-plate approach and offers both sit-down and takeaway dining. Its Randburg branch is also part of the brand's halaal offering.Whether you arrive knowing exactly what you're ordering or need a little time with the menu, Swaadisht is the kind of stop where there is always something else to discover.Cesco's: A Portuguese Detour in StrydomparkNow we're taking a little detour to Portugal.Cesco's has been serving Portuguese pub and restaurant food in Strydompark since 1995, making it one of the area's long-standing dining institutions. The menu is rooted in traditional Fernandes family recipes, with seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes all making an appearance.Seafood is a particular draw, but part of Cesco's appeal is the experience around the food. The bar is filled with sporting memorabilia and has several big screens for major sporting events, giving the restaurant a relaxed pub atmosphere that encourages you to stay awhile.It's the sort of place where dinner can easily turn into drinks with friends and, if the timing is right, watching the game together.Dolci Café: Your Italian Stop in Craighall ParkThere's something about Italian food that makes a neighbourhood restaurant feel instantly inviting, and Dolci Café has been bringing that feeling to Craighall Park since 2015.What started as a small pasticceria and café has grown into a restaurant serving Italian food throughout the day, with homemade pasta, risottos, antipasti and Northern Italian thin-crust pizza on the menu.The Dolci Bar & Pizzeria adds another dimension in the evenings, with a more relaxed bar atmosphere, cocktails and pizza. It's equally suited to a morning coffee, a leisurely lunch or an evening when you want to sit down and take your time over dinner.And, naturally, you'll want to leave room for dessert. With Italian classics such as tiramisu and affogato on the menu, Dolci is a particularly good place to end your meal on a sweet note.Njam Eatery: Follow the Smell of Fresh BreadBack to Linden, where Njam Eatery brings a distinctly local personality to the table. The name means “yum” or “lekker” in Afrikaans, and the restaurant's approach is all about taking traditional recipes and giving them new flavour combinations using fresh, seasonal produce.One of the easiest ways to understand Njam is to arrive hungry in the morning. The breakfast menu puts a local spin on familiar favourites, while the restaurant's freshly baked bread is made daily using natural stone-ground flour.Then there's the Village Table, which is worth knowing about if you're the sort of person who can never walk past a good bakery counter. It is filled with freshly baked savoury pastries, quiches, pies, sourdough breads and other treats, available from early morning until sold out.And don't forget the Naughty Corner. Cakes, desserts and sweet treats are made on-site daily, using ingredients including stone-ground flour and Belgian chocolate.With a kids' menu and a relaxed Linden setting, Njam is an easy place to turn a meal into a slow morning or afternoon outing.La Parada Olivedale: Order for the TableOur final stop takes us to Olivedale, where the idea is less about choosing one perfect dish and more about filling the table.La Parada Olivedale has the kind of lively setting that suits a long lunch or evening with friends, with high double-volume ceilings, open spaces and bold interiors.The menu lends itself to sharing and exploring, with tapas, sushi, pizza and other dishes all competing for space on the table. Order a few things, pass them around and make the meal part of the experience. The tapas selection includes options such as bao buns, tuna tacos, pork belly and beef short rib, while the wider menu gives you plenty more to choose from.Breakfast is also served from Friday to Sunday until 11:00, so you can make La Parada part of your Randburg food adventure before the day has properly begun.Keep Exploring Randburg's Food SceneSeven stops are enough to get your taste buds moving, but they're hardly the end of the story. Randburg's food scene stretches well beyond this list, with different neighbourhoods offering their own flavours, personalities and reasons to pull up a chair.And if you're keen to continue exploring Joburg's food map, take a look at our guide to Melville's culinary scene for another taste of the city's neighbourhood dining culture.For now, though, choose your starting point, bring an appetite and see where your culinary adventure through Randburg takes you.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat are some good places to eat in Randburg?Randburg has a wide variety of restaurants spread across its different neighbourhoods. Higher Ground Restaurant, Miyako Sushi, Swaadisht Foods, Cesco's, Dolci Café, Njam Eatery and La Parada Olivedale are seven places to explore, each offering a distinctly different dining experience.Where can I get all-you-can-eat sushi in Randburg?Miyako Sushi in Greenside offers an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet daily. The restaurant also caters for celebrations and larger group occasions.Where can I find Portuguese food in Randburg?Cesco's in Strydompark has been serving Portuguese food since 1995. Its menu is based on traditional Fernandes family recipes, with seafood and Portuguese favourites among the highlights.Where can I find Indian food in Randburg?Swaadisht Foods at Northview Shopping Centre in Northworld offers more than 120 dishes, including Indian, South African and Chinese-influenced options. The Randburg branch is part of the brand's halaal offering.Where can I find Italian food in Randburg?Dolci Café in Craighall Park serves Italian food throughout the day, including homemade pasta, risottos, antipasti, Northern Italian-style thin-crust pizzas and Italian desserts.Where can I go for breakfast in Randburg?Higher Ground Restaurant, Njam Eatery and La Parada Olivedale all offer breakfast. Higher Ground pairs breakfast with Johannesburg views, Njam is known for its freshly baked bread and neighbourhood atmosphere, while La Parada serves breakfast from Friday to Sunday until 11:00.Are there family-friendly restaurants in Randburg?Njam Eatery has a dedicated kids' menu, while Miyako Sushi caters for larger groups and celebrations. La Parada Olivedale and Swaadisht Foods also offer broad menus that give groups plenty of choice.