On Saturday I participated in the first-ever #SpazaShopTour, starting and ending at African Accent Spaza Shop in Katlehong.
The weather was miraculously perfect for a six-kilometer walk. We wound through Katlehong and Thokoza, visiting spaza shops and street-side cafés and historical sites, chatting with each other and those we met along the way. Bongani, our host, walked us past his family home and explained what it was like to grow up in Katlehong in the early 1990s, when a deadly war broke out as the apartheid regime came to an end.
We learned about the history of spaza shops — which became a lifeline during a time when South Africa’s retail food chain didn’t reach most South Africans — and how the spaza shop industry has evolved and adapted over time. We ate pap and ox liver and spicy boerewors. We drank ice-cold Fanta from a glass bottle, which tastes so much better than Fanta from a plastic bottle. We walked down a residential street that used to be an airplane runway.
We visited Kumalo Street in Thokoza, where the biggest battles of the 1990s were fought, and learned about the origin of the conflict between ANC and IFP supporters during that time. We rode in a taxi driven by a man who was once shot 16 times.
Have you ever felt like you’re witnessing the start of something really special — something no one knows about yet except for the small, privileged group around you in that moment? I felt that way on Saturday.
Walking Katlehong and Thokoza
I’ve done a lot of walking tours in and around Joburg. I’ve never met a walking tour I didn’t like. But there’s something about walking around this area that speaks to me in a particular way…I don’t know how to explain it.
I have far too many photos from this walk. Deciding which ones to share is agonizing.
At the end of the walk, which took about four hours, we all gathered at African Accent for a braai organized by Bongani’s mother. We stuffed ourselves, shot a group picture, and prepared to drive home.
When I went to leave, I realized my car’s battery was dead and I was also locked out of the car. (Long story.) So my friend Joy and I waited around African Accent for two hours until a locksmith showed up, which was not the end of the world. We got to hang out longer with our new Katlehong friends, and I took more photos in the golden afternoon light.
The next #SpazaShopTour takes place on 14 November. If you’d like to book, sign up here.
Lovely to read how you indulged yourself (and the others) at Katlehong. It’s on my bucket-list but at the moment it’s…first things first. Katlehong really is a special place and some of my friends from Tsakane are familiar with the Katlehong community. Thanks dfor sharing your lovely stories.
Thanks Maarten! I definitely recommend the tour – it’s very special.
Such a special tour, I can’t put my finger on it but this is just so different to the other township walks I’ve done, I found it peaceful, calming which in itself was strange knowing the history of violence that took place here. It has also got me curious about the area to such an extent that I’ve done nothing but researched the once airport, the Thokoza Memorial, Spaza shops and general history of these places. In time to come I’d like to go back and look at things a little differently with my new found knowledge. Thank you – I LOVED it.
Your explanation of how you felt is spot-on — I feel exactly the same! It was great to see you again and so glad you enjoyed it.
Looks like a great time had. And how interesting that Palmietfontein airport was located here. Did you lso know that the Vaal dam was once also used as the landing strip for the BOAC “flying boats”?
No I didn’t! That sounds crazy.
Wow, what an interesting experience. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading!
It was a splendid day Heather. I feel I could live there as there is so much “heart and soul” and the area. I also love your photo which misses out the first 2 letters of each word. Instead of “Cash & Scrap” it is “Ash & Crap” Ha ha! Did you see that? I will definitely do this Tour again.
Hahaha! I didn’t even notice that ????
Love to chat. I’m a private guide, long time photojourn / broadcaster – covered so much of the 94 election battles, including a day in the ‘Katorus’ battles, as a laaitie 🙂
That would be great. I’ll email you – maybe I can put you in touch with Bongani.
SIXTEEN TIMES! Damn, he’s got more than 9 lives. Looks like a bangin’ tour. Great snaps, hope your car is back up and running. xo
Thank you — it is 🙂