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Home of Theo Mthembu

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About Home of Theo Mthembu

Developed in partnership with the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation

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18 November 2017

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HOME OF THEO MTHEMBU Member of the Order of Ikhamanga (Silver) Born in February 1927 in Natal, Theo MthembuÕs boxing career started when he was sixteen. In 1948 he became a professional boxer in Johannesburg at the Bantu MenÕs Social Club, but was wounded in cross-fire in a gunfight, thus ending his career. He turned to training, setting up a boxing academy in Dube and helped found the first non-racial sports movement. Achieving many awards, he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame and honoured with the order of Ikhamanga (Silver) in 2004. A promoter, sports writer and critic, Mthembu trained several champions including Baby Jake Matlala. Theo died a few days short of his 80th birthday in 2007.

Photo courtesy: Kabelo Mokoena (Sunday Times)

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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.

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