I recently connected with Fabian and Lavinia Otto during a Johannesburg Heritage Foundation tour of Coronationville and Bosmont. Fabian and Lavinia were our guides for the Coronationville/Bosmont tour but they actually live in Noordgesig, a historically coloured township on the northeastern edge of Soweto.
Fabian and Lavinia, who are leaders in the Noordgesig community, invited me to come check out an event at Noordgesig’s new(ish) public library earlier this week. I eagerly accepted. I went to Noordgesig once before in 2017 on a tour sponsored by the Johannesburg Development Agency — read more about that tour in the second half of this blog post — but had been wanting to go back for a while to check out the new public art that has sprouted up there. I had also never seen the library, which was completed during covid.
I don’t want to say too much about Noordgesig in this post; I have a feeling I’ll be going back soon to work on a longer series. But here are a few pictures that I took on Monday.
Noordgesig Library and Surrounds
My first stop was the library.
Lavinia and Fabian took me on a quick stroll around the neighborhood after the art class. I got to admire a few of the local street art projects, which Lavinia directed as part of a partnership with Art My Jozi.
That’s all on Noordgesig for now. Thanks to Fabian and Lavinia for the invite! I’ll be back soon.
Lavinia and Fabian are such a great couple and so invested in their community. The garden lady is Mama Glover if I’m not mistaken, there is an impressive painting of her on a church not too far from the community centre. Also an area that does not get the recognition it so rightfully deserves.
Yes, they are the nicest people! I will definitely go back and explore all the street art — Noordgesig is only about 15 minutes away from me.
My heart skipped a beat at the sight of a newly constructed library <3 They are sorely needed and very often neglected and underfunded by the state. I'm hoping this is a sign that the Joburg municipality will be investing in upgrading the existing libraries.
May this library serve the community of Noordgesig and continue to delight its children.
Yes, let’s hope!
Oh you got to go there! Say hi to Fabian and Lavinia when you see them next. I can’t wait to get back and hang out with them. So they have their social media up and running yet?
They also asked about you!
It is so nice to see the area so much improved. It use to be one of the most neglected and impoverished places under the old regime. My parents are from Noordgesig and I have fond memories of the township visiting family there but have not been to visit the area for more than 15 years (or maybe longer). Would love to go soon and see it in person. Thanks for these types of blogs, we love it.
You’re welcome! I hope you get to go back soon.