It’s become a thing that every time I find myself in Johannesburg, I need to walk the streets of Maboneng.
My recent visit up North was no different, and with an afternoon to spare I headed to The Maboneng Precinct, seeking out street art, eating out in the sun, listening to live music, soaking up the vibrancy, chatting to strangers and visiting with the good man himself – all in the wonderful company of Danica Helfrich and Hein van Tonder.
I had first experienced Maboneng two years ago, learning of the precinct’s beginnings in art and how the area has evolved into a collaborative hub of culture, business and lifestyle that smacks of optimism and a sense of urban togetherness.
Maboneng is a Sotho word that means ‘place of light, a fitting description for a district that has become a cultural oasis for Johannesburg’s up-and-coming creatives, a destination in itself and an epicentre of the Joburg inner-city renaissance. These were the sights we saw on our walkabout.
