Nelson Mandela Square will soon welcome a truly unique, Baobab inspired bench to its landmark status. Forming part of the Sandton Central Management District's (SCMD) BenchMark Commission, Nelson Mandela Square, managed by Liberty Properties, is the fourth corporate to support this initiative.

2010 Has brought with it many changes in and around South Africa, and Sandton Central is no different. The recent upgrade of Maude Street – a complex and lively space that has added to the beauty, vibrancy and cultural diversity of Sandton Central – is a case in point.

On Tuesday 1 June 2010, the Sandton Central Public Safety Ambassadors arrested 2 Peruvian laptop thieves. They pulled a vehicle carrying the suspects over on the corners of Grayston and Rivonia roads. There were three Peruvian males, and the one Peruvian female. The PSA's held them in the vehicle until security managers from various businesses were able to come and identify them, after which were taken to the Sandton Police station, where Captain Mabasa and Inspector Malatji are now again trying to build strong cases against them. A job well done by Jaco Lundie, Sibusiso and Howard.

May 2010

Sandton City's soul is yellow and green

South Africa's premier shopping destination is geared up for the FIFA Soccer World Cup

It's less than two short weeks until the kick-off of the FIFA Soccer World Cup in South Africa and the Sandton City skyline is lit up in support of Bafana Bafana.

In celebration of the 50-day countdown in April this year, Sandton City re-lit its iconic building's roof cap in honour of the national team's green and gold official colours. Comments Sandton City centre manager Sharon Swain: "Sandton City is geared up for the World Cup, and we are proud of this initiative to show our support for Bafana Bafana and to embrace the World Cup.

"The Sandton district has been marked as a FIFA zone, and Sandton City is set to be the epicentre of excitement and action throughout the tournament. We are prepared for the influx of visitors to the Sandton area this month, and have taken every measure to ensure that we are able to offer everyone an unmatched shopping experience," Swain continues.

In testament to this, Sandton City has extended its shopping hours from 9am until 9pm daily from 1 June until 15 July. For shoppers' convenience, banks in Sandton City's Banking Mall and Forex services have also extended their hours of business over the World Cup period. The banks will close between 6pm and 7pm from June 1 until July 15, and Forex services at American Express, Bidvest/Rennies and Master Currency will be open until after 9pm.

Moreover, Sandton City has increased staff across its Information Kiosks, as well as its parking, security and cleaning staff – and Sandton City ambassadors have been employed to assist foreign visitors.

As the country gears up to host the biggest sporting event South Africa has ever seen, Sandton City is enviably placed to deliver a spectacular experience. The soon-to-launch first Gautrain route will mean visitors will be able to conveniently travel between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton City in approximately 15 minutes - the Sandton underground station is located between West Street and Fifth Avenue, adjacent to the shopping centre.

In addition, the FIFA headquarters are located adjacent to Nelson Mandela Square; Innes Free Park, just off Grayston Drive, has been identified as an official fan park and many of the national teams and FIFA officials and VIPs are staying in hotels in the Sandton area.

For more information, please contact Karen Elson, Sandton City Marketing Manager on 011 217 6042 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Note on FIFA Traffic Free Zones:

Sandton City Shopping Centre works closely with the Johannesburg City Council and the Sandton Central Business Management District with regards traffic management and security in the area. Sandton City will not be affected by the Traffic Free Zone road closures around the FIFA Fan Fest at Innes Free Park. The road closures are in operation every day from 9am until 1am from June 10 to July 11. In Sandton, it affects two lanes of Grayston Drive between Katherine Street and the M1 and the M1 Grayston Drive on- and off-ramps.

Note to editors:
Sandton City Shopping Centre is the ultimate shopping destination, showcasing the very best South Africa and the world has to offer. It is Afro-Cosmopolitan, a gourmet melting pot of cultures, couture and countries - alive with its African spirit and true South African style. Sandton City is exciting and glamorous, urban and fashionable – and a favourite with international and local shoppers alike.

It is complemented by Nelson Mandela Square, with which it is elegantly linked. Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square are home to a combined 400 of the most desirable international and local fashion brands. Exceptional collections of premier, luxurious brands from abroad include the likes of Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani, Mont Blanc, Cartier, Fendi and Lacoste.

And there is even more to come... Sandton City Shopping Centre is expanding and improving to enhance its leading position as a world-class, unrivalled shopping and rendezvous destination for millions of local and international visitors as well as leading global and South African retail brands. This is the first phase of a broader vision for the repositioning of the centre by developers Liberty Property Development.

Issuded by:
Lee-Ann van der Schyff
Communications Manager |Sandton City
Tel: +27 11 217 6044 |Fax: +27 11 217 6041
Website: www.sandtoncity.com

Hosted by the Sandton Central Management District (SCMD), Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) and Nelson Mandela Square, Diski Dance training sessions are taking place all over the district. Business executives, tourists, residents and visitors are all moving in complete unison to show their support and excitement for the World Cup by learning the steps to the famous Diski Dance.