Upcoming Tours
A traditional market, place of healing: Kwa Mai Mai
Type of Tour
Walking tour
Date
Saturday, 17th October 2026
Time and Duration
10:00
3 Hours
Cost
JHF Members: R195
Non-members: R295
Max people
25
Description
Kwa Mai Mai is a historically rich traditional market also known as ‘Ezinyangeni’ – the place of healing. Dating back to the old mining days, this community has a special story.
Join JHF guide Eugenie Drakes, for a fascinating walking tour through Kwa Mai Mai and meet a diverse group of people who represent a convergence of African spirituality, culture, resistance and entrepreneurship.
As we walk, you’ll get insights into the early migrant journey, find out more about ‘muti’ – traditional medicines – and discover the craft market where traditional items are made. Special guest Sithuli Mbeje (a food technologist) will give us a first-hand account of the shisa nyama (street food section) and the informal economy.
After the tour, those who are interested can experience a traditional meal at Sithuli’s Shisa Nyama (for their own account – approximately R60).
Please wear comfortable walking shoes, use sun protection and bring along drinking water. This is an inner-city tour so please be aware of your surroundings. We recommend leaving valuables at home. Parking can be tricky so we suggest catching an Uber. If you would like to shop, many of the stalls will only accept cash for payment so please plan accordingly.
Meeting Place
Kwa Mai Mai Traditional Market – main entrance, 14 Berea Rd, City and Suburban
Contact Number
060 813 3239
Holy Corner - A trio of churches
Type of Tour
Walking tour
Date
Saturday, 24th October 2026
Time and Duration
14:00
2.5 Hours
Cost
JHF Members: R205
Non-members: R310
Max people
45
Description
With no less than three churches in a row, the intersection of Smit and Wolmarans Streets is appropriately known as ‘Holy Corner’. This particular trio of churches are not only architectural gems in their own right, they also bear testament to the diversity of faiths that Joburg has always supported.
Join us as we explore the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St Constantine and St Helen, the First Church of Christ Scientists, and the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King. Five decades separate the oldest from the most recent, but all three are beautiful and have qualities reflecting their varying beliefs and the tastes of the times.
Two of the churches were designed by Jewish architect Hermann Kallenbach in a burst of productivity before World War I. The Catholic Cathedral was designed by Brian Gregory, an architect from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Wonderful stained glass brings light and colour into one, an abundance of icons reveals the Greek heritage and liturgy of another, and the fine timber and stonework makes the third a period landmark.
Join our expert guides Clare Van Zwieten, Athena Clayton and Boitumelo Moletsane for a rare opportunity to see the interiors of three fine city churches, and learn about their architecture, history and social significance in changing times.
The tour fee includes a donation to the First Church of Christ Scientists Nursery School.
Please note: Wear good walking shoes and a hat. This is an inner-city tour so please be aware of your surroundings and stick with the group. All churches offer good security.
Parking is available on the grounds of the Cathedral of Christ the King, 186 Nugget Street, Berea. Enter from Smit/Nugget Street.
Meeting Place
Cathedral of Christ the King, 186 Nugget Street, Berea
Contact Number
060 813 3239
Stairway to Heaven - Jacaranda views from the Westcliff stairs
Type of Tour
Walking tour
Date
Sunday, 25th October 2026
Time and Duration
09:00
2.5 Hours
Cost
JHF Members: R190
Non-members: R295
Max people
40
Description
To celebrate Jacaranda Season, we invite you to tackle the famous Westcliff stairs and experience the incredible views over a sea of purple.
We start at the historic Hope School – originally a mansion known as Pallinghurst, the home of Raymond and Hope Schumacher. The route then takes us along Pallinghurst Road, down the stairs to Wexford Avenue, across to Westcliff Drive and up to Tyson Road.
Join JHF expert guide David Gurney for a memorable meander through this historic suburb. Along the way, we’ll enjoy the stunning views and some remarkable modernist houses from the 1930’s, with their elegant simplicity, geometric shapes, and innovative steel and concrete construction techniques.
We’ll also meet some of the famous personalities who lived in the area, including sculptor Moses Kottler and a well-known photographer, who had a tenant that wrote a blockbuster novel…
The tour concludes with a visit to Kanonkop and a final climb up the stairs to Woolston Road before heading back down to Pallinghurst Road for our return to the Hope School.
Please note: this tour is very steep and requires a decent degree of fitness. Wear good walking shoes and bring along water and sun protection.
Meeting Place
Hope School, Pallinghurst Road, Westcliff
Contact Number
060 813 3239
