17 - 23 November, 2008 

I'M dying to see the Timbuktu manuscripts. Follow LUCILLE DAVIE'S selection of the most interesting city activities.

Timbuktu manuscripts in Jozi
The Timbuktu Script & Scholarship is an exhibition of some 40 manuscripts from the holdings of the Ahmed Baba Institute (IHERI-AB) in Timbuktu, Mali, and opens at the Standard Bank Gallery from Saturday, 22 November. Some of these manuscripts are hundreds of years old, and were written in a variety of styles of Arabic calligraphy by scholars and copyists who were part of an African Islamic intellectual tradition centred in Timbuktu. Some of the manuscripts are beautifully decorated with gold illumination and kept in finely tooled leather covers. The exhibition includes manuscripts ranging in subject matter from religion to astronomy and mathematics, as well as history and literary forms. It also includes manuscripts covering legal judgements and commercial transactions that give a sense of the daily life of the citizens of Timbuktu. The gallery is open from 8am to 4.30pm on Mondays to Fridays and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. The exhibition runs until 1 December – don't miss it.

African festive trees
Get to Main Street for an eclectic collection of festive trees that represent a slice of South Africa's diverse cultures. This year, as in the past four years, Anglo American has commissioned local artists to create their version of a Yuletide tree, celebrating life in downtown Johannesburg. The result is sculptures that are a far cry from the tinsel-adorned Christmas trees of the northern hemisphere. A carol ceremony will launch the trees on Tuesday, 18 November at 6.30pm, at 44 Main Street. Families are encouraged to bring picnic hampers and children will also be able to have their faces painted and watch balloons being sculpted. The exhibition will be on display and lit in the evenings until 4 January. Every Friday afternoon, buskers and musicians will bring a carnival atmosphere to Main Street. Read more.

Kliptown Art Project
The Kliptown Art Project opens on Sunday, 23 November at 3pm at the Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown. It is a photo exhibition by Andrew Tshabangu and his Kliptown workshop. There's be a reading Niq Mhlongo and German dramatist Tim Staffel, with music by Sond Bites, with Bheki Khoza on lead guitar, Glen Mafoko on bass guitar and Xoli Norman on trumpet and vocals. There'll be a shuttle bus from the Goethe-Institut, the co-organisers, at 2pm on Sunday. Register for the bus at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Find out more about the project on the website.

Pirates of Polokwane
Get to the Women's Jail for the launch of Zapiro's Pirates of Polokwane, on Monday, 17 November at 6.30pm. Zapiro will be there, and Mondli Makhanya, the editor of The Sunday Times, will be speaking. RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 011 628 3204. Parking is in the Superbasement, off Joubert Street.

For Whites Only
Constitution Hill will be launching the book For Whites Only, by Charles Cilliers. The book tackles the issues of white denial, racism and other delusions. Go and find out why the book is hated so much by some Afrikaners who raised their disgust in the Boere Vryheid bulletin which is the right-wing internet BlogSpot. The keynote address will be delivered by Kenneth Kunene, a former convict and conman who is also a business associate of the author. The launch is relevant to Constitution Hill, as its heritage is told by the existence of the buildings such as Number Four, Old Fort, Women's Jail, the Constitutional Court, and resembles the acknowledgement of human rights and reconciliation in South Africa. This happens on Tuesday, 18 November at the Women's Jail, at 6.30pm.

JPO's last concert
Catch the last concert of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra's final season for the year. On Wednesday and Thursday, 19 and 20 November enjoy the JPO's rendition of Wagner's Tannhäuser Overture; Schumann's Concerto for violin in D minor; and Beethoven's Symphony No 5, op 67 in C minor. The soloist is violinist Isabelle Faust. The conductor is Yasuo Shinozaki. Tickets from Computicket. The concert takes place at the Linder Auditorium, Parktown, at 8pm. There will be a pre-concert talk at 7.15pm.

ICT for 2010
South Africa's telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructures are being upgraded for World Cup 2010. Where does the work stand in 2008? Will South Africa's communications services be up to scratch? Or is it time for a new coach? Or, are we playing for sudden death? Will Hahn, Gartner Principal Analyst, Carrier Operations and Strategies Worldwide, has been tracking the South African ICT sector for many years. Go listen to him talking about the local communications space, and how South Africa fares with the 2010 countdown clock ticking, on Monday, 17 November at 6pm. Venue is Classroom F, Mwalimu House, School of Public and Development Management, 2 St David's Place, Parktown. RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 084 582 0422.

Klipriviersberg walk
Go on a guided walk of the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve on Sunday, 23 November. Meet at the Silent Pool at 8am at the end of Frandalph Drive, Mondeor. Bring some cash and stay for a cold drink and a chat after the walk.

TB lecture
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academics at Wits, Professor Yunus Ballim, invites you to the inaugural lecture by prof Martin Grobusch from the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, entitled "Drug-resistant TB in Africa". This takes place on Monday, 17 November at 5.30pm in the Marie Curie Lecture Theatre, Wits Medical School, Parktown. Parking is available at Wits Medical School.

The Magic Flute
With marimbas and township percussion replacing the orchestra, "The Magic Flute - Impempe Yomlingo" got standing ovations in England and Ireland. Now you can see it at the Market Theatre - for free. Starring Pauline Malefane of U-Carmen eKhayelitsha fame, the production is a scintillating rendition of Mozart's opera set in a township. It is performed in English, Xhosa and Tswana, and runs until 30 November. Simply phone the theatre on 011 832 1641 to book your seat. Read more.

Sundowners at UJ
Take in a Sundowner Concert this week at the Kingsway campus of the University of Johannesburg in Auckland Park. They take place every Monday, and are free. This week you can enjoy Gary Roberts (oboe), Paul Rodgers (bassoon), Helen Vosloo (flute) and Malcolm Nay (piano). They will be playing works by Poulenc and Madelaine Dring. The show starts at 5.30pm. The concert takes place at the UJ Art Centre, Entrance 1 on Kingsway Road, Auckland Park. For more info call 011 559 3058.

Note: the events are subject to change without notice.