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Troyeville Walking Tours
Interests
History, Buildings, and Culture troyville is an interesting middle-class neighborhood in Johannesburg; its iconic design will give you a different view of the city.
Price
R450 per person. All groups +5 please enquire using the form
Pick-up time & duration
Every Day 10:00AM to 13:00PM
Inclusions
Tour guide
Water or Coffee
Why Visit Troyeville
On the 10 August 1889, 612 stands went on sale. It was the only Township started by Hollanders (Van Boeschten & Lorentz) hence all the Dutch street names. It was laid out in June 1891 and named after Gustav Arthur Troye. He was born in Germany in 1860 and came to South Africa when he was 17 and eventually qualified as a surveyor.
The area was designed as a middle-class white suburb which later started occupying very interesting individuals and became a melting port of culture and interesting designs of building.
While in Troyeville you will notice a number of missions that a still up and in good condition which will be another topic on the tour remember to ask...
What really Happened to Troyeville?
Troyeville was one of the many areas in Johannesburg in the 1990s along with Hillbrow, Joubert Park, city center, Berea, Yoeville, Orange Grove, Bertrams and Jeppe that the major banks ‘red-lined’ and wouldn’t approve bonds for new homeowners. Owners couldn’t sell (unless for cash or private arrangement) and the property prices slumped. Owners either abandoned their properties or sold them off cheap – sometimes to slumlords.
2013 check on property prices shows that Troyeville is on the increase with a few historic houses selling in the lower millions. Certain parts of Troyeville are in better state than others with houses in the better parts holding their values.
Key landmarks to See in Troyeville
Indian leader Mohandas Gandhi lived here from 1904 to 1906 together with his wife Kasturba and sons Manilal, Ramdas and Devdas. They shared the house with Henry Polak, Gandhi’s friend and colleague in his law office. In 1905 they were joined by Polak’s wife Millie who describes the house in her book on Gandhi.
anthropologist and activist David Webster lived here from 1986 until his assassination three years later. Dr Webster played a leading role in the Detainees’ Parents Support Committee, the United Democratic Front and affiliated organisations. He co-founded the Five Freedoms Forum formed as a home for whites in the struggle for democracy. On 1 May 1989, he was gunned down outside this house by an agent of the apartheid regime. Unveiled 23 March 2013.
"This is really an amazing experience.Their nightlife experiences are worth it and the company lives up to their name. Thanks Tye and Romeo!"
Treasure M wrote a review Feb 2020
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