For over twenty years, the City of Johannesburg has awarded blue plaques to sites of heritage significance, aiming to publicly acknowledge and commemorate special buildings and sites, outstanding personalities, freedom struggles, and events that have shaped our city.
An internationally recognized heritage symbol, the blue plaques stand out as marks of recognition, with short texts to enrich people’s appreciation and experience of cultural sites.
Writing the inscriptions can be something of an art. Within a few short lines, the aim is to nail down the story and significance of the site – to capture the essence of the place and what makes it a special destination.
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.
