Heritage Weekend
Discover your city as we celebrate Heritage Month with our annual JHF Heritage Weekend – 2 days, 11 tours, a book & map sale, and delicious food! It’s all happening at the Holy Family College on the 9th and 10th September 2023.
There are multiple tours departing each morning and multiple tours departing each afternoon. These are run simultaneously, so you can select only one tour per time slot (i.e. Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Sunday
morning, Sunday afternoon).
For more information: mail@joburgheritage.org.za / www.joburgheritage.org.za / www.quicket.co.za/organisers/36829-johannesburg-heritage-foundation
9th September 2023
Name of Tour
Coronationville and Bosmont
Date
9th September 2023
Time and Duration
9h15 (+-3 Hours)
Max no of people
40 (Depending on the bus restrictions)
Cost
R120 in advance, R150 on the day
Description
This brand new tour takes us to two fascinating but little-visited parts of Johannesburg: Coronationville and Bosmont.
Home to the ‘Coloured’ community since 1937, Coronationville was established to commemorate the crowning of King George VI and offered residents a better quality of home built with red bricks, often with blue brick trim. Some of these original houses can still be spotted as we move through the neighbourhood, which also boasts a wide variety of churches – from the A-framed Lutheran to the strikingly modern St Anthony’s – as well as the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital and St. Theresa’s Primary School (established by the Holy Family sisters, which later became a feeder to their campus in Parktown).
The tour then continues across Fuel Road into Bosmont with its extraordinary range of housing from informal settlements and RDP houses to the upmarket residences of the ‘High Bucks’ areas. Once again, we’ll see a range of churches culminating in the ecumenical triumph of Langeberg Street where a mosque and two churches sit peacefully alongside one another, good neighbours for over 50 years.
Led by local experts Lavinia & Fabian Otto, assisted by Flo Bird. This bus tour will include two stops/visits.
Contact Number
060 813 3239
Meeting Place
Holy Family College
Name of Tour
Beauvais
Date
9th September 2023
Time and Duration
9h00 (2.5 Hours)
Max no of people
40
Cost
R120 in advance, R150 on the day
Description
Perched on the lip of Linksfield Ridge, Beauvais is one of Joburg’s most glorious Randlord mansions. Boasting distinctive Cape Dutch gables and tremendous views to the North, this was once the grand residence of Percival and Marcella Tracey and their 7 children.
Back when it was built in 1907, far from the city centre on terrible sand roads, the locals dubbed the remote mansion ‘Tracey’s Folly’. Indeed, the family lived in the house for only 10 years before it became the Parktown Boys Preparatory school, complete with secret passages that connected the dorms to the pantries!
Although now used as a corporate headquarters, the current owner has lovingly restored Beauvais so come explore this beautiful property and enjoy the view (bring your camera!).
Led by Nici Noble and Joy Campkin-Smith. The bus will transport you to Beauvais and collect you after the house tour.
Contact Number
060 813 3239
Meeting Place
Holy Family College
Name of Tour
Murder and Madness in the North – Joburg’s Most Infamous Crimes
Date
9th September 2023
Time and Duration
14h30 (3 Hours)
Max no of people
45
Cost
R120 in advance, R150 on the day
Description
Calling all true-crime fans! Hop on board for a bone-chilling bus tour that takes you into the dark underbelly of Joburg’s criminal past.
This abridged version of our popular murder-mystery excursion visits various locations across the northern suburbs to reveal a rogue’s gallery of miscreants and their unfortunate victims.
As we drive, we’ll hear the tragic story of ‘goodtime girl’ Bubbles Schroeder; investigate the mysterious deaths of Hazel Crane and Brett Kebble on adjacent bridges; uncover the grisly story of the Zoo Lake murderer, Ronald Burch, who dismembered his wife’s body; recount the farcical Glazer kidnapping; visit the Stander gang’s hideout in Houghton, and much more besides.
Led by David Fleminger. This bus tour will not have any stops.
Contact Number
060 813 3239
Meeting Place
Holy Family College, 40 Oxford Road, Parktown
Name of Tour
Northwards – Pride and Joy
Date
9th September 2023
Time and Duration
14h00 (2.5 Hours)
Max no of people
45
Cost
R120 in advance, R150 on the day
Description
Standing proudly on the edge of Parktown Ridge, Northwards is a Joburg icon and Sir Herbert Baker’s most romantic mansion.
Built for the flamboyant John and Jose Dale Lace, Northwards is filled with stories: of glittering galas and scintillating scandals, of financial failures and ruinous fires, of reconstruction and survival.
And no-one knows Northwards better than the inimitable Neil Viljoen. So, join us for an exclusive guided tour with Neil as he takes us from the cellar to the attics, and feel a glimmer of the glamour that passed through the great hall of Northwards all those years ago.
The bus will drop you off at Northwards and collect you after the house tour.
Contact Number
060 813 3239
Meeting Place
Holy Family College, 40 Oxford Road, Parktown
Name of Tour
The Gardens of Villa Arcadia
Date
9th September 2023
Time and Duration
14h00 (2.5 Hours)
Max no of people
45
Cost
R120 in advance, R150 on the day
Description
As befits a woman of her standing, Lady Florence Phillip laid out extensive gardens across her vast estate. Sadly, most of them were gobbled up by the M1 highway that was built from 1962 to 1972. But the gardens of Villa Arcadia are still lovely.
When restoring the property, Hollard consulted with renowned landscape architect Patrick Watson to create special natural spaces, with trails that lead up the ridge behind the house. These secluded pathways offer excellent exterior views of the grand Villa designed by Sir Herbert Baker, revealing how the glorious Highveld sunlight impacts on the architecture.
So, come and enjoy a pleasant walk up the kopje while the trees are in flower. You’ll be impressed by Hollard’s commitment to our heritage – and you see two outdoor works from their art collection!
Led by Ed Coogan and Arj van Zwieten. The bus will drop you at the start and collect you at the end. This is a fairly strenuous walking tour of 2 kilometers with many uphills. Wear good walking shoes and bring sunblock, a hat and water. Please note: this tour does not go into the house itself.
Contact Number
060 813 3239
Meeting Place
Holy Family College, 40 Oxford Road, Parktown
10th September 2023
Name of Tour
Orlando East – the Heart of Soweto
Date
10th September 2023
Time and Duration
9h15 (+-3 Hours)
Max no of people
45
Cost
R120 in advance, R150 on the day
Description
Orlando East turned 91 years old this year and to celebrate, we have created a memorable tour that follows the trail of JHF Blue Plaques, which have been erected to commemorate some of the area’s most outstanding residents.
Among the highlights, we’ll visit the home of the ‘the Father of Soweto’, James Mpanza, who led 8000 followers to claim the land that later became the biggest township in South Africa.
We’ll also visit The Rock (Orlando High) – Soweto’s first secondary school – where you can read the famous Honours Boards, donated by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, which record an extraordinary list of famous alumni including a State President, a Princess and an Archbishop.
Remember to bring some cash for a snack at one of the pavement cafés.
Led by David Gurney, Vuka Tshabalala and Tshenolo Mokhele. This bus tour will include several stops/visits.
Contact Number
060 813 3239
Meeting Place
Holy Family College, 40 Oxford Road, Parktown
Name of Tour
Glenshiel – the Jewel of Westcliff
Date
10th September 2023
Time and Duration
9h00 (2.5 Hours)
Max no of people
45
Cost
R120 in advance, R150 on the day
Description
A beautiful terraced garden, replete with roses, leads up the slope to glorious Glenshiel – one of Herbert Baker’s largest and most successful compositions.
Designed in an unusual butterfly shape and boasting plenty of warm koppie stone, this was the gracious home of Sir William Dalrymple, Lord of the Manor, and Lady Isabel, his glamorous wife (a former actress!). Their hospitality was legendary and just about every prominent visitor to Joburg popped in at Glenshiel.
The property was later bought by Major Gordon Haggie, who converted the stables into a home and donated the main house to the Order of St. John. It remains the head office of this noble organisation dedicated to first aid and community healthcare to this day.
The tour will include the house and the stables, now home to members of the Haggie family once again. In the garden, we’ll also visit the tiny Tudor-style house built for the ‘Liberty Cavalcade’ at Zoo Lake in 1942. Finally, we’ll cross the road to see The Ridge School, established in an early Westcliff home by Sir Aubrey Woolls-Sampson and Lady Violet.
Led by Brian McKechnie and Karen Curry. The bus will drop you off at Glenshiel and collect you at the end of the tour.
Contact Number
060 813 3239
Meeting Place
Holy Family College, 40 Oxford Road, Parktown
Name of Tour
Braamfontein Cemetery – Crypts and Ashes
Date
10th September 2023
Time and Duration
9h30 (+- 2.5 Hours)
Max no of people
45
Cost
R120 in advance, R150 on the day
Description
Braamfontein Cemetery is Joburg’s oldest graveyard and the final resting place for many famous Joburgers from years gone by.
Join us as we uncover the secrets of this evocative burial ground, including a crypt under the crematorium where caskets are stored, including those of Sir William van Hulsteyn and Frank Wild (five-time Antarctic Explorer who has now been reinterred alongside Ernest Shackleton).
We will also visit the ash walls, which we are busy restoring after the tragic recent vandalism. Here we will hear about Sonja Schlesin (Mohandas Gandhi’s secretary) and Albert Lindbergh (Founder of CNA). And, along the way, we will salute a number of other prominent people including Sir Thomas and Lady Cullinan.
Led by Nici Noble and Sarah Welham – founder of the Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries organisation. The bus will drop you off at the starting point and collect at the end of the walking tour. Please wear good walking shoes and bring along a hat, sunscreen and water.
Contact Number
060 813 3239
Meeting Place
Holy Family College, 40 Oxford Road, Parktown
Name of Tour
Veterans of the Struggle – Lest We Forget
Date
10th September 2023
Time and Duration
9h30 (+- 3 Hours)
Max no of people
45
Cost
R120 in advance, R150 on the day
Description
‘The Struggle’ against apartheid dominated South African history for much of the 20th century. As such, it is our honour to commemorate the lives and achievements of those veterans who sacrificed a great deal so that we may all enjoy our post-1994 freedom.
Ranging from west to east, this tour passes places connected to many struggle heroes, of all colours and religions, who dedicated their lives to the liberation of South Africa from racism and oppression. These luminaries include Mosie Moola, Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Walter and Albertina Sisulu, Rusty and Hilda Bernstein, all the activists living along ‘Red Square’ in The Gardens, and Bram Fischer.
‘Lest we forget’, the struggle was fought by people of great integrity and firm convictions. Join us to celebrate their legacy this JHF Heritage Weekend.
Led by Flo Bird, Merle Ruff and David Fleminger. This bus tour will not include any stops.
Contact Number
060 813 3239
Meeting Place
Holy Family College, 40 Oxford Road, Parktown
Name of Tour
Eastern Parktown – Echoes of the Past
Date
10th September 2023
Time and Duration
14h00 (+- 2.5 Hours)
Max no of people
45
Cost
R120 in advance, R150 on the day
Description
On the eastern edge of Parktown, the aspiring early settlers built grand Arts and Crafts-style mansions along streets named Park Lane and Princess Place – conjuring up echoes of London’s lofty Mayfair and Belgravia neighbourhoods. Apartment blocks replaced the big private homes in the fifties. Later, the university built the Wits Junction Student village, which retained the old houses still standing.
Today, the old boundaries that divided Parktown from Hillbrow and Upper Houghton have grown softer, a blurry socio-economic boundary. Who lives in these grandly named streets today? How have things changed over the sweep of more than a century?
This walking tour reveals a corner of Parktown you probably don’t know, including some surprising discoveries: a miniature church, medical milestones, luxury apartment blocks, and the Freemasons’ Hall. We’ll also view a ghostly abandoned mansion from the Anglo Boer War and hear about the self-styled Col. Bettington of Bettington’s Horse.
Led by Kathy Munro and Kgao Mashego. The bus will drop you off at the starting point and collect you at the end. The walking tour is roughly 1.5 kilometers. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring sunblock, a hat and drinking water.
Contact Number
060 813 3239
Meeting Place
Holy Family College, 40 Oxford Road, Parktown
Name of Tour
Forest Town Fantasy
Date
10th September 2023
Time and Duration
14h20 (+- 2.5 Hours)
Max no of people
45
Cost
R120 in advance, R150 on the day
Description
Once the plantation that supplied the mines of Joburg with pit props, Forest Town retains its verdant links to the past.
This tour is both a pleasant stroll through a lovely garden suburb (Forest Town was once the nursery for many of Parktown’s trees) and a primer on the early architects of our city with homes built in diverse styles ranging from the classical to the very modern by icons such as Baker, Howden, Moerdijk, and ‘Pancho’ Guedes, .
Forest Town has also been the home of many historical figures, including the noted bacteriologist Sir Frederick Spencer Lister. And it’s the location of Johannesburg Zoo, because Percy Fitzpatrick needed a place to keep all the animals he collected on his travels!
Led by Ed Coogan and Joy Campkin-Smith. The bus will drop you at the starting point and collect you at the end. The walk is roughly 4–5-kilometres. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring water, sunblock and a hat.
Contact Number
060 813 3239
Meeting Place
Holy Family College, 40 Oxford Road, Parktown