Johannesburg Heritage Foundation

06/10/2026

🍷 Seven w**es. One remarkable Joburg setting.

On Friday, 9 October, w**e authority Michael Fridjhon joins us at Northwards for a guided tasting of seven South African w**es, from Vergelegen Sauvignon Blanc and Almenkerk Chardonnay to Ghost Corner Syrah and Diemersdal Cabernet Sauvignon.

And the evening doesn’t end with the last tasting. Afterwards, we’ll move onto the verandah for snacks, a few extra glasses of w**e and time to enjoy Northwards as the spring evening settles in.

📅 Friday, 9 October | Arrive 18:00, tasting starts 18:30
📍 Northwards, 21 Rockridge Rd, Parktown
🎟️ JHF members R350 | Non-members R400

Only 50 places are available, tickets are selling fast!

🔗 https://www.quicket.co.za/events/399132-vines-and-views-at-northwards-w**e-tasting-with-michael-fridjhon/
📧 [email protected]
📞 060 813 323

**e

06/10/2026

It was another bumper weekend for the JHF crew - from the commemorative Joburg 140 lunch at the Rand Club, to our Ferreirastown tour, Melville Koppies Walk and set up for the Joburg 140th anniversary in Plans exhibition this Saturday, the team were hard at work all over the city.

Thank you to all of you who joined us, we hope to see you again soon!

04/10/2026

Johannesburg is 140 years old. But when, exactly, was it born? And what does it mean to celebrate the birthday of a city? Kathy Munro answers these questions.

Link in comments

04/10/2026

🏙️ Johannesburg turns 140 this year, but how much of the city we know today would its earliest residents recognise?

📐 Join heritage writer and JHF Honorary Vice President Kathy Munro at the Rand Club for a journey through Johannesburg’s architectural plans archive. We’ll explore remarkable survivors, buildings we’ve lost, and what their original plans reveal about a city transformed over 140 years.

🥂 Afterwards, stay and raise a glass to Johannesburg’s 140th anniversary.

📅 Saturday, 10 October | 10:00
📍 Rand Club, 33 Loveday Street, Marshalltown
🎟️ JHF & Rand Club members R195 | Non-members R295

🔗 Book via Quicket:
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/398577-johannesburgs-140th-anniversary-in-plans-exhibition-talk-at-the-rand-club/ #/
📧 [email protected]
📞 060 813 3239

In 2026, Johannesburg celebrates its 140th anniversary. To mark this occasion, JHF has created a view of the city through an unusual and precious record of its past: the architectural plans preserved in the City of Johannesburg’s plans archive.

03/10/2026

🍷 There are few finer places to spend a spring evening than Northwards. Add seven standout South African w**es and one of the country’s most respected w**e authorities, and this one is rather special.

Join Michael Fridjhon on Friday, 9 October for an evening of w**e, heritage and conversation inside one of Joburg’s most magnificent historic homes.

Michael will guide us through seven w**es, from Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay to Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Afterwards, stay for snacks, a few more glasses of w**e and a chance to catch up on the Northwards verandah.

📅 Friday, 9 October | Arrive 18:00, tasting starts 18:30
📍 Northwards, 21 Rockridge Rd, Parktown
🎟️ JHF members R350 | Non-members R400
Numbers are limited to 50.

Bookings:
🔗 https://www.quicket.co.za/events/399132-vines-and-views-at-northwards-w**e-tasting-with-michael-fridjhon/
📧 [email protected]
📞 060 813 3239

**e

There are few finer places to spend a spring evening than Northwards, one of Joburg’s most magnificent heritage mansions. It’s an even finer treat to be guided through a glass of w**e by Michael Fridjhon, one of South Africa’s most respected w**e authorities. Now, imagine experiencing both tog...

02/10/2026

📖 10 + 10 + 5 volumes. One remarkable publishing legacy.

The Brenthurst Press drew on manuscripts, letters, diaries, artworks, maps and other treasures to produce books that were as beautifully made as they were meticulously researched.

Today, these landmark publications form part of Africa’s documentary heritage and remain highly sought after by collectors.

On 3 October, we’re bringing together Sally MacRoberts, Head Librarian at The Brenthurst Library; historian and author Prof Jane Carruthers; and heritage writer and JHF Book Room founder Prof Kathy Munro for a panel discussion on the Brenthurst Press legacy.

Led by JHF Chair David Fleminger, the panel will explore the books, the scholarship behind them and why they continue to matter.

📅 3 October | 10:00 talk, book room open for sales 9:00 to 12:30
📍 JHF Book Room, Northwards, 21 Rockridge Rd, Parktown
🎟️ Free, but donations are always welcome

Find out more: https://joburgheritage.org.za/walking-and-bus-tours/

01/10/2026

Celebrate 140 Years of Jozi: Ferreirasdorp to the Golden City ⛏️🏛️

In 1886, Johannesburg started in Ferreirasdorp as a scatter of diggers' tents and ox wagons, rapidly transforming into a tin town before upgrading to the brickwork we know today.

Join heritage guide Karen Curry this Saturday, 3 October, as we step back in time to mark the city's 140th birthday!

In keeping with love and anniversaries, the tour starts at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court - a place where countless local marriages began. From there, we’ll walk to the historic Randjeslaagte Beacon, marking the western point of the original 1886 triangle that formed the city. We’ll finish down Diagonal Street, following the footsteps of the many "Johanneses" after whom the city was named. (And yes, you can visit the shops for a love potion after the tour!)

Tour details:
📅 When: Saturday, 3 October at 14:00
📍 Where: Starts at Johannesburg Magistrates Court, 26 Fox Str
👟 What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and drinking water.
🔗https://www.quicket.co.za/events/399118-johannesburgs-beginnings-ferreirasdorp-celebrating-140-years-of-the-city-of-gold/
👁️ Safety: This is an inner-city walking tour, so please remain aware of your surroundings at all times.

Spaces are limited! Tag a history lover below or click the link to reserve your place.

01/10/2026

On the first Sunday of Heritage Month, I went on a bus tour with the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF), of which I've been a member for 20 years. Called "JHF in Action", the milestone tour was hosted by Flo Bird, founder of the foundation - established in 1985 as the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust - and new chairperson David Fleminger as they looked back at past successes and forward to future challenges together. Bird passed the baton to Fleminger in 2023 and is now honorary life president.

🔗 Read the full story online: https://tinyurl.com/f2d7fakn

30/09/2026

🎂 Melville is turning 130!

And we’re celebrating with a guided walk across one of it's very special treasures - Melville Koppies. Think ancient geology, Iron Age history and incredible views across the city.

📆 Saturday, 3 October, 9am
🎟️ Find all the details and book here:
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/399116-130-years-of-melville-melville-koppies-nature-reserve/

30/09/2026

🎂 Johannesburg is turning 140!

This October, we’re celebrating the City of Gold with three special events exploring the people, places and stories that have shaped Joburg.

🏛️ 3 October: Celebrate in style with our anniversary luncheon at the iconic Rand Club.
🚶 3 October: Go back to where it all began with a walk through Ferreirasdorp and the original Randjeslaagte.
📐 10 October: Discover Joburg through its architectural plans, including remarkable buildings that survive and some we’ve sadly lost.

There are 140 years of stories to celebrate. Come explore a few of them with us.

🎟️ Find all the details and book here:
https://joburgheritage.org.za/walking-and-bus-tours/