Arts, Culture & Heritage
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Blue Plaque Sites

Broadcast House

Table of Contents

About Broadcast House

Part of the Art Deco Òtop twentyÓ series of plaques

Address

Commissioner Street
2003

Inscription

Broadcast House, home of radio in South Africa, was designed in 1935 by J.C. Cook and Cowan for I.W. Schlesigner. Born in New York, Schlesinger came to South Africa in 1884 and created vast insurance, catering, entertainment and motion picture industries. In 1927, he rescued the earlier radio stations, ensuring that the Big bands and the Jazz Age reached most South Africans. In 1936, it became the official public broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). The low relief panels are by Rene Shapshak,

Photo courtesy: Kabelo Mokoena (Sunday Times)

Explore Joburg

A culmination of research gathered over many years, the Online Johannesburg Heritage Register is being launched on Nelson Mandela Day 18 July 2025.

Among the many heritage sites featured is Chancellor House, the downtown offices of Mandela and Tambo Attorneys in the 1950s. After having been vacant and shuttered for more than a decade, this iconic building is being revived and brought to life once again as offices for the Community Development Department, which oversees the City’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Services.

Browse Heritage Sites