Nelson Mandela Square

Photo by Darryn Letley
Photo by Rich  Rose


Indulge in some retail therapy, dine in an open-air piazza and browse the stalls of an antique fair at this commercial and entertainment centre.  

Shop, dine and relax at Nelson Mandela Square, a large public square and commercial hub. Find cafés, restaurants, exclusive retailers and a theatre, all set around an attractive European-styled piazza.

Take a look at the imposing bronze statue of anti-apartheid activist and former South African president Nelson Mandela. Standing 20-feet (6-metres) tall, it is the focal point of the square and commemorates the first decade of South African democracy. 

Step inside the square’s mall and browse more than 80 stores and boutiques for exclusive jewellery pieces, artworks, leather goods and tailored clothing. Keep your eye open for a bargain and collectors’ items at the square’s Antique Fair, which attracts up to 70 dealers. Find costume jewellery, ceramic figurines, glassware and embroidered items, among other items. The fair runs on the first Sunday of every month.

Enjoy alfresco dining in the cafés and restaurants that line the square. Choose from a variety of cuisines including traditional African dishes and European fare.Nelson Mandela Square is also a good place to come for some culture. Watch musicals, concerts, plays and stand-up comedy at the Old Mutual Theatre, known locally as the Theatre on the Square. The schedule includes matinees and evening performances as well as special events for kids. Details are available on the theatre’s official website.

Nelson Mandela Square sits in the heart of the commercial suburb of Sandton. It is about a 20-minute drive north from downtown Johannesburg. For those arriving by car, there is a large metered car park. If you are coming by public transport, the metro bus and trains stop a short walk from the square. 

Nelson Mandela Square’s shops and restaurants are open daily, including public holidays. Hours vary for each business and attraction, so check the square’s official website for details. For even more shopping experiences, visit the nearby Sandton City, a shopping mall that is home to around 300 retailers, restaurants and an 11-screen cinema.

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Top Nelson Mandela Square Hotel Deals

Sandton Sun and Towers
Sandton Sun and Towers
5 out of 5
Cnr Fifth & Alice Streets, Sandton, Gauteng
Sandton Sun and Towers
Garden Court Sandton City
Garden Court Sandton City
3 out of 5
Cnr West and Maude Street, Sandton, Gauteng
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Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel
Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel
4 out of 5
Corner Rivonia Rd. And West St., Benmore, Sandton, Gauteng
Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel
Davinci Hotel And Suites On Nelson Mandela Square
Davinci Hotel And Suites On Nelson Mandela Square
5 out of 5
2 Maude Street, Corner of 5th Street, Sandton, Gauteng
Davinci Hotel And Suites On Nelson Mandela Square
Hotel Sky Sandton
Hotel Sky Sandton
3.5 out of 5
150 West St, Sandton, Gauteng
Hotel Sky Sandton
NH Johannesburg Sandton Hotel
NH Johannesburg Sandton Hotel
5 out of 5
138 Rivonia Road, Sandton, Gauteng
NH Johannesburg Sandton Hotel
ONOMO Hotel Johannesburg Sandton
ONOMO Hotel Johannesburg Sandton
3.5 out of 5
135 West Street, Sandton, Gauteng
ONOMO Hotel Johannesburg Sandton
Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton
Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton
4 out of 5
20 Maude Street, Sandton, Gauteng
Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton
Raphael Penthouse Suites
Raphael Penthouse Suites
5 out of 5
South Wing Nelson Mandela Squ Fifth St, Sandton, Gauteng
Raphael Penthouse Suites
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