Arts, Culture & Heritage
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Blue Plaque Sites

Site where Dr. Melville Edelstein lost his life

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About Site where Dr. Melville Edelstein lost his life

Part of a special series of plaques in Soweto to mark sites along the trail of the 16 June 1976 student uprising. Plaque replaced in 2025

Address

3940 Mphuti Street, corner of Mailula Street, Central Western Jabavu, Soweto.
June 2016

Inscription

Dr. Melville Edelstein Among the victims killed on June 16 was Dr Edelstein, a sociologist and social worker who served for 18 years assisting youth and communities in Soweto. Earlier that morning, he greeted protesting students as they passed his offices at 3940 Mputhi Street, but after the shock was felt from the first shootings by police, high spirits turned to anger, and Edelstein was slain by a crowd of enraged youth. Tragically, he was targeted as a white official, caught up in the back-lash to apartheid.

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.

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