#JOZIWALKS aims to give voice to people of the city
#JOZIWALKS is a series of free, walking tours initiated in May 2017 by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) 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 to 25, 13 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. Some are already booked out,
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 onto the streets to engage with their neighbours.
Prior booking is absolutely essential for each walk. Bookings can be made by emailing the organiser of each walk directly. More detailed descriptions of every walk can be found on the Walk My Jozi Facebook page.
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 Sophiatown, taking in the story of life in the neighbourhood before and after the forced removals of 1955. It starts at 11am. 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 4.45pm. 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 10am
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 11am. 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 • 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 noon. Contact the walk organiser William Mathebula at: b.bhengu@icloud.com
• Orlando East with the James Mpanza Legacy Foundation
A 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
• 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
Follow #JoziWalks online on:
Facebook – https://www. facebook.com/joziwalks/
Twitter – https://twitter. com/joziwalks
Instagram – https://www. instagram.com/joziwalks/
Get Joburgers onto the streets to engage with neighbours.