A Special Tour in Bulte (Noordgesig): Sign Up Now
Regular readers will know that I’ve written a couple of posts about Noordgesig – affectionately called Bulte, which means “Hills” in Afrikaans – lately (see here and here). Last year I befriended Lavinia and Fabian Otto, who live in Noordgesig, and they’ve been slowly introducing me to Bulte’s unique history and culture.
Fabian and Lavinia are a true power couple and classic South African jacks-of-all-trades; they are seasoned community activists, artists, teachers, and entrepreneurs. On top of all that, the Ottos are registered South African tour guides, and I’m pleased to announce they will be holding a special arts and culture tour in Noordgesig on 16 March.
About Bulte
Although it’s technically part of Soweto, sitting very close to Orlando on Soweto’s eastern edge, Noordgesig has a unique cultural heritage that makes it feel quite different from the rest of Soweto’s townships. And despite being a busy neighborhood in the middle of a big city, Bulte has a small, intimate feel that’s hard to explain if you haven’t been there.
Another special thing about Noordgesig is its spectacular collection of public art. The township is dotted with colorful sculptures and murals, many of which were created during the 2017 #ArtMyJozi campaign. Lavinia, an accomplished street artist and sign painter, was intimately involved in the design and creation of many of Bulte’s public art pieces.
Some of Bulte’s street murals are slowly beginning to fade away, as street art often does, which makes this tour even more important. Now is the time to experience these historic artworks before they disappear or transform into something new.
Noordgesig is really easy to get to: It’s just off New Canada Road, the historical gateway to Soweto. The tour will start outside Fabian and Lavinia’s house, right across the street from the former home of legendary South African boxer Jake Ntuli.
This tour is limited to just 20 guests and I suspect it will fill up fast, so I suggest you sign up now on Quicket. I hope to see you there!
Comments
I very much enjoy following your footsteps, Heather, in the country and the city of my birth, Johannesburg. Reading about people living in Noordgesig now, it concerns me that the historic memory of this place does not feature. Perhaps you will enquire what the tour guides know and share about about Noordgesig people “from before”, like the indomitable “Ma Vee” - Vesta Smith and her family, Noordgesig community leaders and organisers and lifelong activists over many decades. Too often in eGoli much of the lives of most people blows away in the dust of the mines. Young people, going to vote and make the now-SA, can be inspired and strengthened by handed-on recollection to stand on those strong community shoulders and the foundations they laid. https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/vesta-smith
Hi Josie, oh yes, Ma Vee and many other figures will feature in the tour!
OMG. We have those same tuk tuks in Siem Reap. They’re actually new for us because the last time we were here (6-8 years ago), our tuk tuks were carriages being pulled by motorbikes. These new ones (like your photo) are called pass apps (named after the app you use to get one). The most common color is white and yellow. I think they’ve been here for a year or two. Haven’t seen a red one yet! I use these to get to and from work!
Interesting! We’ve had these in Joburg for about 10 years but they haven’t taken off in other neighborhoods as much as they seem to in Noordgesig. We have a few of them in Melville.