After undergoing urban regeneration, this area in Joburg’s CBD is now a trendy property hotspot for young professionals and students.
There was a time when inner-city living was associated with low-cost housing. Nowadays, however, the inner city is a highly desirable location that young professionals, creatives and students want to call home.
University student Siboniso Dube has lived in the vibrant Maboneng Precinct for two years. “I fell in love with the precinct the first time I arrived in Johannesburg from Mpumalanga, and the fact that everything is close, with lots of public transport, made my decision easy,” he says.
Siboniso, a Wits law student, says that living in Maboneng is like being part of an ongoing movie; there’s so much to see and do, and the many creatives and entrepreneurs living in the neighbourhood bring it all to life. “I love the daily banter and interaction with my neighbours and people on the street – the precinct is such an amazing melting pot of cultures.” Maboneng is also centrally located with plenty of public transport, including the Rea Vaya bus rapid transit system, and the Gautrain Park station isn’t far away, making it easy to travel to and from the precinct and the CBD.
She says that while the CBD tends to get quiet in the evenings and weekends, the precinct has a life of its own at those times. From a wide range of galleries, art studios, creative venues and restaurants, there’s plenty to keep residents and visitors entertained.
The precinct comes alive on First Thursdays, with art galleries and other venues open until late, allowing for a comprehensive cultural experience. Maboneng encourages the artistic and entrepreneurial spirit, has fairly a¬ffordable homes – priced from around R500,000 – and offers residents an alternative to suburban living.
I love Maboneng Precinct for its live-work-play aspect; I have everything I need in one location.
-Siboniso Dube, resident.
Maboneng transport:
- Metro and Putco buses
- Minibus taxis
- Metered taxis
- Uber
- Rea Vaya
- Gautrain Park station close by
Eating out in Maboneng:
- Al Lado: for delicious cocktails
- Blom Plek Lifestyle Lounge: for a truly South African experience
- Chalkboard Cafe: for delicious pizza and craft beer
- Ekse: for local flavours
- James XVI Ethiopian Cafe: for Ethiopian cuisine
- Pata Pata: for South African dishes, live music and entertainment
- The Blackanese Sushi and Wine Bar: for Asian fare with African flavour
- Love Revo: for mouth-watering tapas
Things to do in Maboneng:
- The Red Bus: for a tour of the city
- First Thursdays: for a cultural experience
- Market on Main: for local food and design
- Maboneng City Cyclists: for an adventurous exploration of the city
- The Agog Gallery: for a variety of artistic creations
- Museum of African Design: for interesting African designs
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
