Is the Newtown area safe for walking?

Yes, Newtown is generally safe during daylight hours, especially within the Cultural Precinct where there is a visible security presence. As with any major city, stay aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone after dark.

What is the best walking tour Johannesburg offers for history buffs?

The Newtown Creative Quarter route is ideal for history enthusiasts. It covers essential South African themes including migrant labor at the Workers' Museum and the anti-apartheid movement at the Market Theatre.

Can I see street art on this walking route?

Absolutely. Newtown is famous for its street art, particularly the massive murals under the M1 highway overpass and the wooden carvings in Mary Fitzgerald Square.

Are the museums in Newtown free to enter?

Most museums in the district, such as Museum Africa and the Workers' Museum, traditionally offer free entry or request a small donation. Sci-Bono usually charges a modest entry fee for adults and children.

Is this neighborhood stroll family-friendly?

Yes, it is very family-friendly. Children especially enjoy the interactive exhibits at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre and the wide-open space of Mary Fitzgerald Square.

Where should I start my self-guided walk in Newtown?

The best place to start is the Workers' Museum on Jeppe Street. It provides a foundational historical context that makes the rest of the neighborhood's artistic achievements more meaningful.

What is the significance of the Market Theatre?

The Market Theatre was a 'theatre of struggle' during apartheid, famous for being a non-racial space that staged provocative plays. It remains a cornerstone of South African performing arts today.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Newtown is the rhythmic heartbeat of Johannesburg's cultural identity, a neighborhood where the industrial grit of the early mining era has been transformed into a vibrant sanctuary for the arts. This self-guided walk invites you to explore the 'Cultural Precinct,' a zone that served as the frontline for creative resistance during South Africa's most turbulent years. As you follow this walking route, you will encounter the shadows of the migrant labor system at the Workers' Museum and the defiant stage of the Market Theatre, which once challenged the very foundations of apartheid. What makes this neighborhood stroll unique is the seamless blend of somber history and exuberant creativity. You will stand in Mary Fitzgerald Square, named after the labor activist known as 'Pickhandle Mary,' and see how a former power station has become a world-class science hub. The architecture itself tells a story, with red-brick warehouses and converted market halls housing some of the continent's most important collections of music, history, and social commentary. Whether you are drawn to the jazz legacy of Kippie Moeketsi or the massive street art murals that decorate the underpasses, Newtown offers a raw and authentic look at the soul of Johannesburg. This walking tour Johannesburg experience allows you to set your own pace, giving you the freedom to linger in the galleries of Museum Africa or reflect on the harsh realities of the past in the preserved compounds of the Workers' Museum. Exploring independently is the best way to soak in the atmosphere of a district that has reinvented itself time and again, evolving from a crowded market to a world-renowned center for theater and jazz. This self-guided adventure provides a deep dive into the resilience of the human spirit through the lens of South African art and history.

Highlights

The poignant Workers' Museum, a preserved migrant labor compound

The legendary Market Theatre, the historic home of 'Theatre of the Struggle'

Kippie's Venue, a tribute to the 'Saxophone Man' and Joburg jazz heritage

Museum Africa’s grand 1913 market hall architecture

The vast public space and wooden carvings of Mary Fitzgerald Square

The industrial-to-educational transformation of the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre

Tour Stops (6)

The Workers' Museum

Begin your self-guided adventure at the Workers' Museum, one of the few remaining examples of a migrant labor compound in South Africa. Established in 1913, this site once housed hundreds of men who traveled from rural areas to work for the city’s electricity and tram departments. The experience here is sobering; you can see the original concrete bunks and the cramped living conditions that defined the lives of those who built Johannesburg's infrastructure under the oppressive system of migrant labor. The museum serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of the city's industrial boom. Take a moment to observe the contrast between this heavy history and the creative energy that now surrounds the building in modern Newtown.

The Market Theatre

Just a short stroll away stands the Market Theatre, an institution that gained worldwide fame as the 'Theatre of the Struggle.' Founded in 1976 inside the city’s converted citrus market, it was a rare space where multi-racial casts and audiences could gather in defiance of apartheid laws. The building still retains much of its original market character, including the beautiful Edwardian facade and interior signage. This wasn't just a place for entertainment; it was a site of political protest and artistic bravery where plays by the likes of Athol Fugard were premiered. Today, it remains a premier venue for cutting-edge South African drama, continuing its legacy of social commentary and creative excellence.

Kippie's Venue

Adjacent to the Market Theatre is the distinctive dome of Kippie's, once the most famous jazz club in Johannesburg. It was named after Kippie Moeketsi, the legendary 'Saxophone Man' who was a pioneer of South African jazz. During the 1980s and 90s, this venue was the heartbeat of the city's music scene, hosting icons like Abdullah Ibrahim and Miriam Makeba. Although it has functioned primarily as an event space and monument in recent years, the building itself—modeled after the old market’s public toilets—remains a symbol of the township jazz culture that thrived despite the restrictions of the era. It represents the soulful, improvisational spirit that defines the Newtown Creative Quarter.

Museum Africa

Continuing through the precinct, you will reach Museum Africa, housed in the massive 1913 fruit and vegetable market building. This is Johannesburg's premier social and cultural history museum. The scale of the interior is breathtaking, reflecting the city's early status as a commercial hub. Inside, the collections cover everything from the origins of humankind and the history of gold mining to the evolution of South African music and photography. Look out for the 'Johannesburg Transitions' exhibit, which explores how the city has changed over the decades. The museum is not just a repository of objects but a narrative of the diverse people who have called this complex city home.

Mary Fitzgerald Square

Step out into the expansive Mary Fitzgerald Square, the central public hub of Newtown. This square is named after Mary 'Pickhandle' Fitzgerald, a pioneering trade unionist and the first woman to hold public office in the city. The space is a popular venue for concerts, festivals, and political rallies, reflecting its history as a site of labor strikes in the early 20th century. As you walk across the square, notice the numerous carved wooden heads—over 500 in total—created by artists from across the continent. These sculptures represent the diverse faces of the people who pass through Johannesburg, turning the pavement into a massive open-air art gallery.

Sci-Bono Discovery Centre

Your walking route concludes at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, located in the historic Electric Workshop. This building was once the power station that provided electricity for the city's trams, and its transformation into Southern Africa's largest science center is a perfect example of Newtown’s urban renewal. While the interior is filled with high-tech interactive exhibits aimed at inspiring the next generation of scientists, the exterior remains a monument to Johannesburg's industrial heritage. The massive steel trusses and brickwork speak to a time when Newtown was the engine room of the city, now repurposed as a place of learning and discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

A thorough self-guided walk typically takes between 90 and 120 minutes. This allows about 20-30 minutes for the major stops like the Workers' Museum and Museum Africa, plus walking time between landmarks.