I’ve been living in Brixton, one of Joburg’s oldest suburbs, for nearly five years. I blog about Brixton all the time and I’ve led multiple walking tours here. But I hardly ever go to Brixton High Street, the suburb’s main commercial street, and have never walked on High Street, although it’s four blocks from where I live. The reason for this, truth be told, is because I’m a little afraid. High Street, like so many other Joburg streets, doesn’t have the greatest reputation for safety.

A run-down building on Brixton High Street. I love the shadows cast by the building across the road.

I recently decided that my lack of familiarity with High Street was embarrassing and unacceptable. So I asked my fitness coach, Dennis Dlomo, to take me for a walk there. (If you live in Brixton, you’ve undoubtedly seen Dennis training in Kingston Frost Park every morning and afternoon. Thorsten and I train with him regularly.) Dennis has been living in Brixton since 1994 — he moved here from the outskirts of Durban when he was 18 years old — and knows Brixton as well as anyone. Dennis does all his shopping on High Street and knows most of the businesses there.

Dennis walking past an interesting corner building on Brixton High Street.

Dennis and I met in front of the Flamingo Palace on a Saturday morning, together with Mohammed and Constantine — two soccer players who train with Dennis. We made a quick stop at Dennis’ house on Caroline Street and then strolled Brixton High Street, which is only about six blocks long.

Dennis in his back garden with Constantine (left), Mohammed (center, holding Princess the cat), and Dennis’ neighbor, Pauline.

Strolling Brixton High Street

You won’t be surprised to hear that High Street, like most of the supposed scary Joburg streets I’ve walked, was not very scary at all. (It’s interesting how walking a street, rather than driving it, often takes the fear factor away.) High Street is definitely run-down and has serious maintenance issues (thanks, City of Joburg). But I loved looking at all the interesting old buildings, browsing through the shops and hair salons, checking out the cafés and restaurants, and eating a really delicious lunch — more on that shortly. Here’s a photo story of our journey.

Dennis and his crew outside the Brixton Municipal Swimming Pool. This historic pool, built in 1938, has been undergoing a prolonged refurbishment and is supposed to reopen this year. (Time will tell — the City hasn’t been great at managing its pools lately.) I’ve never been inside but the pictures I’ve seen are stunning.

Beautiful tile work on a High Street medical office building.

A really nice antique furniture shop, which has been on High Street for 30 years. I saw several things I really liked in this store but they weren’t cheap. I’ll go back when I have more money.

Mantay, a stylist at the Benjamin Cuts hair salon on High Street, was having a busy Saturday when we stopped in.

Linah, a nail technician at Benjamin Cuts, had just arrived for work. Linah is also a member of Dennis’ Fitness Club.

Jeff, a tailor operating out of a tiny High Street storefront.

This bar, the Yankee’s Groove Lounge, used to be the House of Nsako — a legendary music venue that I sadly never had the chance to visit before it closed around 2010. I guess it might have been a bingo hall before that.

Dennis inside the Yankee’s Groove Lounge, which perfectly matches his track suit. Dennis used to frequent the House of Nsako and, like everyone else I’ve ever spoken to who went there, said it was amazing.

Dennis’ favorite cell phone shop (of which there are many on High Street).

Dennis in front of his favorite supermarket, Just Buy.

Some hand-painted signage that I liked.

I was obsessed with this Jozi painting in a double-story sports bar called Laduma.

Looking toward downtown Joburg from the balcony at Laduma.

“No burger lyka Jo-Burger” is one of the best restaurant tag-lines I’ve seen in this city.

We finished our walk at a small, informal restaurant called “Happy Eaters”, just off High Street on Isleworth Street. (Here’s the location.) Dennis is a regular and knew exactly what to order: Beef stew, served with generous sides of morogo (African spinach), pap (maize porridge), beans, and coleslaw for R50 ($3) a plate. Two plates was plenty of food for four people.

Dennis and Mohammed with our food at Happy Eaters.

Diana and Evastus, the owners of Happy Eaters. I loved their food and can’t wait to go back.

Thanks so much to Dennis for showing me his take on Brixton. If you’re interested in training with Dennis or hiring him for security services (one of his side gigs), contact him at 060-401-1344.