Radiokop

Radiokop, Randburg

In recent years, this part of Randburg that includes the neighbouring suburbs of Allen's Nek, Honeydew, Weltevredenpark and Strubens Valley has mushroomed. From a relatively small, remote village of sorts, the leafy streets are now home to mostly young families and first-homers in a myriad townhouse developments. Expansion has caught up with this edge of the city of gold.

Called Radiokop (radio head) for obvious reasons - there is a radio mast here if you look for it, and there is also a semblance of a hill (alright, it is probably little more than a rise) which gives one a view out over the north west of Johannesburg - any relation to the popular band of the same name ends there.

The lower reaches of John Vorster used to be open veld, but they too have succumbed to the demand for further housing. Despite this, it is a wonderful neighbourhood in which to stay. Wilgeheuwel hospital lies here, there are a myriad shopping centres and restaurants, and incredibly easy access to the N1 and the N14, both major roads to getting around Johannesburg.

The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden is virtually in your back yard as is Kloofendal, Muldersdrift and the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.

Possibly the major attraction of staying here is the quick access one has to the Magaliesberg and weekend getaways. A quick nip onto Christiaan De Wet and then a short drive up Hendrik Potgieter past the Walter Sisulu Garden, brings one to a well-known fourway stop that takes one on through the Cradle of Humankind and to the Magaliesberg. If you can, plan a stop at the Sterkfontein caves en route, and drive through the village of Magaliesburg. There is, in fact, a steam train trip that can bring you to the town of Magaliesburg, if you want to experience something different (you can contact Reef Steamers for further details).