#JoziWalks is a series of free walking tours initiated in May 2017 by the JDA (the Johannesburg Development Agency) in partnership with local community activists, tourism entrepreneurs, walking tour operators, and the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation. The project is supported by Joburg Photowalkers and Johannesburg In Your Pocket City Guide.
Over the space of two days, from June 24-25, thirteen walking tours will set off across Joburg in the suburbs of Brixton, Fietas, Newtown, Hillbrow, Sophiatown, Diepsloot, Orchards, Orange Grove, La Rochelle, Noordgesig, Orlando East, Yeoville and Alexandra.
The aim of #JoziWalks is to give a voice to the people who live in the city’s communities and present a personal take on the culture, social history and development of the city’s different neighbourhoods. #JoziWalks also aims to get more Joburgers out of their cars and onto the streets to walk, and to engage with their neighbours and share insights and ideas about their neighbourhoods.
Prior booking is absolutely essential for each walk. Bookings can be made by emailing the organiser of each walk directly. Please note that more detailed descriptions of every walk can be found on the Walk My Jozi Facebook page where notices about booking availability are also posted.
As of June 6 some walks – Yeoville, Hillbrow, Brixton/Fietas, La Rochelle and Orchards/Orange Grove – are already fully booked and have no more spaces available.
The first #JoziWalks weekend programme runs as follows:
Saturday June 24
The Youth Connector Tour with the Coloured Cube
This tour takes place at the Windybrow Arts Centre and is exclusively for young people aged 15 to 25 who live in Alexandra, Hillbrow, Jeppestown and Diepsloot (transport will be arranged). Contact the organisers The Coloured Cube at: info@thecolouredcube.co.za
The Sof’town Urban Experience with Sophiatown The Mix
A guided walk, through the birthplace of South African jazz, Sophiatown, taking in the story of life in the neighbourhood before and after the Forced Removals of 1955. Starts at 11:00. Contact the walk organiser Tshepo Letsoalo from Sophiatown The Mix at: tshepo@sophiatownthemix.com
Newtown with Anthea Moys and the Coloured Cube
Join Anthea Moys and The Coloured Cube for a walk, run and dance through the inner city neighbourhood of Newtown. Starts at 16:45. Contact the walk organiser Anthea Moys at: Anthea.moys@gmail.com
La Rochelle with Tsica Heritage Consultants
A cultural walk through historic La Rochelle in south Joburg looking at the area’s multi-cultural immigrant communities and its many heritage buildings. The tour ends with a lunch of typical west African and Portuguese dishes. Starts at 10:00. Contact the walk organisers Judith Muindisi and Monika Läuferts le Roux of Tsica Heritage Consultants at: tsica.culturalheritage@gmail.com. Note this tour is now fully booked.
Diepsloot with Black Bite Productions
A walk through Diepsloot with local filmmakers Black Bite Productions, paying visits to inspirational community projects that are working to change the wider public image of Diepsloot for the better. Starts at 11:00. Contact the walk organiser Lucky Nkali of Black Bite Productions at: blackbiteprod@gmail.com
Alexandra Township of Rhythm with Khavho Travel and Tours
A history walk around Alexandra, one of the oldest townships in South Africa, including a visit to the new Nelson Mandela Heritage Centre. Starts at 13:00. Contact the walk organiser Rachel Phasha of Khavho Travel and Tours at: khavho.tours@gmail.com or rphasha@khavho.co.za
Sunday June 25
Brixton Fietas Heritage Trek and Lunch with the Roving Bantu Kitchen and Tours
A historical and cultural trek through the western Joburg suburbs of Brixton and Fietas, ending with a lunch at the Roving Bantu Kitchen in Brixton. Starts at 10:00. Contact the walk organiser Sifiso ka Silas Ntuli (aka The Roving Bantu) at: rovingbantu@gmail.com. Note this tour is now fully booked.
Hillbrow and Berea with Dlala Nje
A walk through one of downtown Joburg’s most notorious suburbs (including a visit to the 50th floor of the infamous Ponte tower) showing the different cultures and nationalities that make Hillbrow the extraordinary suburb it is today. Starts at 11:00. Contact the walk organisers Dlala Nje at: Franck@dlalanje.org or loops@dlalanje.org. Note this tour is now fully booked.
Alexandra community walk with Joe’s Butchery
Join Joe’s Butchery, one of the most famous shisa nyama restaurants in Alexandra, for a community walk through the streets of old Alex. Starts at 12:00. Contact the walk organiser William Mathebula at: b.bhengu@icloud.com
Orlando East with the James Mpanza Legacy Foundation
A history walk through Orlando East, the oldest suburb in Soweto. In particular the tour looks at the legacy of James Mpanza, considered the ‘Father of Soweto’. Starts at 12:00. Contact the walk organiser Tshenolo Mokhele at: kwakhangela@gmail.com
Yeoville with the Yeoville Dinner Club
A culinary adventure through pan-African Yeoville’s Rockey Street including a visit to the Yeoville Market, lunch at the Yeoville Dinner Club and a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Starts at 13:00. Contact the walk organiser Sanza Sandile of the Yeoville Dinner Club at: sanzamusik@gmail.com or send a facebook message to the Yeoville Dinner Club. Note this tour is now fully booked.
Noordgesig, Soweto with Place Matters
A guided history walk through the Sowetan suburb of Noordgesig, one of South Africa’s oldest so-called Coloured townships and the home of numerous anti-apartheid struggle stalwarts. Starts at 10:00. Contact the walk organiser Jacques Stoltz of Place Matters at: jacques@placematters.co.za
Orchards to Orange Grove with The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation
The Johannesburg Heritage Foundationleads this history walk through the eastern suburbs of Norwood, Orchards, Sydenham and Orange Grove reflecting on the area’s unique architecture and its many immigrant communities. Starts at 13:00. Contact the walk organiser Brett McDougall at: mail@joburgheritage.co.za. Note this tour is now fully booked.
Follow #JoziWalks online on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/joziwalks/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/joziwalks
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/joziwalks/
Issued by:
Johannesburg Development Agency
Douglas Cohen – dcohen@jda.org.za
Marketing – Nomalizo Xabana – NXabana@jda.org.za
Social media team led by Johannesburg In Your Pocket City Guide
Laurice Taitz – laurice.taitz@inyourpocket.com