South African London

London’s superb arts and entertainment scene is a major draw for ‘Saffas’, who flock to both known and underground venues

Around 1.5 million South Africans live in the UK, according to the South African Times, with up to 800,000 in London alone. The South African community can be found all over the city, but Earl’s Court, Southfields and Putney seem to be popular with newly arrived white South Africans, while their other fellow nationals can be found in clusters throughout south-east London, particularly Lewisham.

However, all hues of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ exist in London – you’ll just need to leave the theme bars alone to find them. Social venues are a good place to start. South Africans of all origins love toparty, and the capital is brimming with bars, gigs and club nights to meet their extrovert needs.

This year marks Nelson Mandela’s ninetieth birthday and there’ll be a big party in Hyde Park, so expect lots of ‘Saffas’there. For live music venues, the Half Moon pub in Putney (93 Lower Richmond Rd, SW15, 020 8780 9383) and the Fulham branch of Zulus (4 Fulham High St, SW6, 020 7371 7788) often host South African indie and rock bands. But if jazz is more your bag, big venues like the Barbican (020 7638 8891) and Southbank Centre (0871 663 2585) often host South Africa’s finest musicians.

For the vibrant sounds of the townships – kwaito, mbaqanga or hip hop – look out for DJ, MC and producer DJ Mo-Laudi (www.myspace. com/djmolaudi). You can find him working up a storm at residenciesacross the capital (see Entertainment listings), and you can catch his Joburg Project night
at The Market Place (11 Market Place, W1, 020 7079 2020).

Africaphile and writer Patrick Neate often has a South African or two performing at his Book Slam night (12 Acklam Rd, W10) in Notting Hill. South Africa is also active in London’s thriving theatre scene. Transfers from the world-famous Market Theatre in Johannesburg have turned up at the Barbican, Hampstead Theatre, National Theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford East, while an acclaimed South African version of ‘The Magic Flute’ (subtitled ‘Impempe Yomlingo’ in Xhosa) won a 2008 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

A number of South Africanowned restaurants operate all across the capital. The popular Chakalaka (136 Upper Richmond Rd, SW15, 020 8789 5696) serves up South African braai (barbecue) meats and a good range of wines.

Marimba Bar & Restaurant in South Wimbledon (190 Merton High St, SW19, 020 8540 3888) is the best place to get your boerewors (sausages) and potjie dishes (stews). And if you want to eat South Africanstyle (and Zimbabwean) at home, friendly familyowned specialist food store The Savanna, (020 7357 9314) with a purpose-built butchery and four branches across south London, has all you need.

Tamara Gausi