Ernest Mojela, artist and creative, tells us about this Joburg neighbourhood.
Renowned for its idyllic location, tree-lined streets that wind up the hill and stunning views over Johannesburg, Northcliff¬ is a sought-after, established suburb that accommodates homebuyers from all walks of life.
It was the suburban lifestyle that made young artist and creative entrepreneur, Ernest Mojela, choose Northcli¬ as his home when he moved from Cape Town. “Northcliff’s unpretentious beauty feeds my creativity and there are plenty of opportunities to meet people of di¬fferent social classes.”
Ernest loves fashion and music and is the founder and creative director of Mini Me Large Lifestyle, a platform launched in 2015 focused on contributing to the growth of youth creativity by educating through fashion and culture. He has been featured in print publications and on radio, and has been involved in the design of several fashion and eyewear brands.
He was initially nervous about the big move to Northcli¬ff, but says the suburb now feels like home. “One of the highlights of living in Northcliff¬ is that it’s far removed from the hustle and bustle of the big city, thus making it an ideal home location.”
He says the suburb has shopping malls, schools, churches as well as a number of restaurants and entertainment facilities, adding to its appeal. He spends most of his time learning about the industry and is currently a student at Fashion Design School and Retail Education Institute (LISOF) and Vega, studying creative design in fashion, brand and marketing management.
Ernest says Northcli¬ff, with its timeless beauty and many spots yet to be discovered, will be his home for the foreseeable future.
Living in Northcliff enables me to escape from all the madness and go for a run or walk around the beautiful suburb
-Ernest Mojela, resident.
Northcliff has excellent accessibility:
- Access to main business areas including Randburg, the West Rand, Sandton CBD, Midrand and Pretoria
- Close to Beyers Naudé Drive and the N1 highway
- Close to schools, malls, hospitals and other amenities
- Access to public and private transport services in the suburb
Where to eat in Northcliff, Johannesburg:
- Adega Restaurant: for traditional Portuguese cuisine
- Lambrusco’s Italian Dining: for authentic Italian food
- Nando’s: for Portuguese- Mozambican meals
- Nevada Spur Steak Ranch: for classic flame-grilled dishes
- Ocean Basket: for tasty seafood
- TJ Billies BBQ: for mouth-watering barbeque dishes
- Olivia's Coffee Bake: for freshly baked goods and great coffee
Things to do in Northcliff, Johannesburg:
- Visit Cresta Shopping Centre for dining, entertainment and shopping.
- Explore Northcliff Hill Viewpoint.
- Hike up to the Northcliff Water Tower.
- Stock up on fresh produce at Impala Fruit and Veg.
- Enjoy musical entertainment at The Barnyard Theatre.
Why we love Cresta Shopping Centre:
Opened in 1976, the super regional Cresta Shopping Centre has grown into one of Johannesburg’s top shopping and leisure destinations. Last refurbished in 2016, it boasts more than 260 stores and an amazing three-level Food and Entertainment Court.
A newly introduced feature at the mall is the Family Room, which has a dedicated reception area, spacious changing and feeding rooms, a kitchenette with microwaves, lockers for valuables, a fun play area and trolley/pram parking. This oasis for parents visiting the centre with their children is located on the lower level of the Food and Entertainment Court.
Find out more at crestashoppingcentre.co.za.
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
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