The Secret Ruins of the Johannesburg Gas Works
Several months ago, Thorsten and I took a walk through the old Johannesburg Gas Works. Our visit happened spontaneously and we definitely shouldn’t have done it. Most of the Gas Works has been abandoned since gas production terminated 30 years ago, and the...
Hidden Joburg: The Lions Shul
Yesterday I visited the Doornfontein Shul — commonly known as the Lions Shul — in downtown Joburg. The shul, built in 1905, is featured in Hidden Johannesburg, which I blogged about recently in my post about the Lemon Squeezer Church. I’m pleased to...
Gallery-Hopping Through Rosebank with Thabo the Tourist
A couple of weeks ago, my friend Gail and I went on a walking tour of art galleries in Rosebank with Thabo the Tourist. I had never met Thabo before, but I was excited to do his tour because Thabo the Tourist is such a catchy name for a guide. (The “h” in...
Why I Became a Member of the Rand Club
I’ve been visiting the Rand Club, one of Joburg’s most historic buildings, for years. The Rand Club is on the corner of Fox and Loveday Streets in downtown Joburg. Although the club was founded in 1887, the current clubhouse was built in 1904. Read an...
St. Nicholas of Japan in Brixton: A Balm for My Messy Brain
I’ve been doom-scrolling too much and sleeping too little lately. The U.S. government has been hijacked by right-wing zealots. Women’s rights have been rolled back by 50 years. The South African government can’t provide basic services to its people...
Heather Mason
I’m an American writer/blogger/photographer living a quirky life in Johannesburg. Follow along as I explore Johannesburg, South Africa, and the rest of the world.
