1 Mooki Street

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About 1 Mooki Street

Developed in cooperation with the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation.

Address

1 Mooki Street, Orlando east, Soweto
25 June 2026

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STAND NO 1 MOOKI STREET This is the very first house built in Orlando in 1931 in what became Soweto. It was constructed simply from brick with just three rooms, no ceilings and no running water, and served as the model for an- other 12 000 homes that were subsequently erected in the area. Al-ice and Shadrack Tshabalala were the first occupants, and their son, Vuka Tshabalala succeeded them.

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.