A tour of Alexandra Township
“Life in Alexandra was exhilarating and precarious. Its environment was alive, its spirit adventurous, its individuals resourceful.” Nelson Mandela, Lengthy Stroll to Freedom
A brief drive away from Sandton – Africa’s richest sq. mile – however in any other case galaxies aside, lies Alexandra Township, in any other case often known as Alex. Johannesburg’s oldest township, it’s a type of locations that I’d at all times heard about however by no means thought-about visiting, till I obtained the chance to go there on my latest tour with Joburg Tourism.
One of the best ways to get to know a spot is to see it by way of the eyes of locals who’re captivated with it. We met native guides, Maboneng Township Arts Expertise founder Siphiwe Ngwenya and tour information / basketball coach, Harry Nakeng, at Alex Mall. They launched us to Alexandra, and as we meandered by way of its slender, bustling streets, we obtained glimpses into the on a regular basis lives of its inhabitants and heard a few of their tales.
A quick historical past of Alexandra Township
Alexandra Township was established in 1912 by Mr. HB Papenfus, a rich farmer, who owned the land it was laid out on. It was one of many solely city locations within the nation the place black individuals might purchase land on the time. He named it after his spouse.
The township is constructed alongside the Jukskei River which divides the West Financial institution, the place a lot of the shack dwellings are discovered, and the East Financial institution, the newer part of the township, the place center class residents stay in brick homes. It’s presently house to an estimated 750,000 individuals, dwelling in an space of roughly 8 sq. kilometres. Many are immigrants from the remainder of the African continent.
As soon as known as the ‘Darkish Metropolis’ due to its lack of electrical energy, it’s now known as Alexandra Maboneng (place of sunshine), though it shouldn’t be confused with the Maboneng inner-city precinct.
Listed here are 7 attention-grabbing locations to see in Alexandra Township
1. Alex Mall
Earlier than you roll your eyes at a mall being included in a listing of issues to do in a historic township, let me clarify. Alex Mall is a contemporary, fashionable mall with comparable tenants to different purchasing centres in South Africa. Nevertheless, the distinctive function right here is the best way Alex’s historical past has been built-in into the mall’s design and decor.
Show panels alongside the partitions of the purchasing centre hint the historical past of the township and profile a few of its most well-known present and former residents. Amongst them are former South African Presidents Nelson Mandela and Kgalema Motlanthe, former Mozambican President Samora Machel, comic Trevor Noah, musician Hugh Masekela and soccer boss Irvin Khoza.
2. The “I Coronary heart Alex” Viewpoint
Our stroll by way of the mall led us to the again entrance from the place we emerged. There’s an “I Coronary heart Alex Mall” picture body there which showcases one of the best views of sprawling, densely populated Alex, with the glittering Sandton skyscrapers towering behind them. In response to Harry, it confirmed the distinction between the haves and the have nots.
3. Artwork Flava
Our subsequent cease was Artwork Affair, a small artwork gallery and studio housed in a transformed picket cabin, which additionally serves as a group gathering place and occasions venue, and a spot for native artists to showcase their artwork. It was began by proficient native artist Mxolisi Mbonjwa, who has been portray since he was 11. Mxolisi informed us his inspiring story, and we obtained to see his stunning artwork works.
4. Nelson Mandela’s former house
Madiba rented this yard room in Alexandra when he first got here to Johannesburg in 1941. He talks about it fondly in his autobiography.
“Alexandra occupies a treasured place in my coronary heart. It was the primary place I lived away from house.”
“To be able to make ends meet, Mr. Xhoma, like so many different residents of Alexandra, rented rooms to boarders. He had constructed a tin-roofed room in the back of his property, not more than a shack, with a dust ground, no warmth, no electrical energy, no working water. But it surely was a spot of my very own and I used to be completely satisfied to have it.”
Excerpts from “Lengthy Stroll to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela
The yard is now often known as the Nelson Mandela Yard Heritage Precinct though it isn’t potential to go inside the home. After we obtained there, a bunch of small youngsters have been hiding behind the signboard. They emerged shyly from there and adopted us across the yard.
5. ikasi Fitness center
Bodybuilding champion /artist Tumi Masite is commonly known as “South Africa’s Schwarzenegger”. He earned this moniker not solely due to his big muscle mass but additionally as a result of he was skilled by the late Reg Parker, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s former coach. Though his personal bodybuilding profession was minimize quick by a hip harm, he now mentors and trains younger athletes at his iKasi Fitness center, a delivery container in his grandmothers yard that has been transformed right into a bodybuilding gymnasium.
The gymnasium additionally serves as an artwork gallery displaying Tumi’s work whereas the surface partitions mirror his graffiti artwork. Fitness center gear was initially donated by Virgin Lively boss, Richard Branson, and Tumi has helped produce a number of worldwide champions, up to now.
6. Alexandra Heritage Centre
The Alexandra Heritage Centre is a museum which showcases the historical past of Alexandra and supplies nice views of the township from its balconies and home windows. Sadly, it was closed after we visited, so we simply noticed it from the surface.
7. Maboneng Township Arts Expertise
The Maboneng Township Arts Expertise turns township houses into exhibition areas for native artists. Their mission is to empower locals and create jobs whereas selling arts and tradition. Though it started in Alex, it now consists of townships across the nation. Previous to Covid-19 occasions, these excursions would take guests into the houses. We visited one of many taking part streets, and though we didn’t go inside, we nonetheless loved wanting on the brightly painted homes and photographing them. Digital excursions are additionally obtainable.
If you happen to haven’t been to Alex but, then do go to this historic township. Though it’s smaller than Soweto, which was established within the Nineteen Thirties, it’s simply as attention-grabbing, though it doesn’t appeal to as many guests as Soweto – which is extra broadly marketed. Remember to go along with a educated native information or else you’re prone to get misplaced, or presumably mugged.
NB: On the time of scripting this put up, there may be political unrest in Alexandra. Please watch for issues to settle down earlier than you go to.