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Maboneng -A hub for Art Photo by Propertuity, Maboneng Precinct-

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg

Maboneng Precinct is a privately developed urban neighbourhood in South Africa鈥檚 largest city, Johannesburg. It is located in the downtown area of the city. Maboneng is a seSotho name meaning 鈥減lace of light鈥�.

Maboneng developed organically as an entrepreneurial hub. The vision for Maboneng is to revolutionalize Johannesburg鈥檚 inner city and make socially inclusive creative spaces, businesses and housing.

1. Maboneng Was an Abandoned Neighbourhood

Abandoned building. Photo By Igorevich –

22 years ago, Maboneng was a deserted crime-ridden area with little to no activity. The majority of businesses had shut down making the area lifeless. In 2000, Propertuity, a local property company, purchased the abandoned buildings and developed them into what they are today.

Propertuity continued to expand Maboneng by constructing new buildings and transforming the existing ones into retail spaces, hotels, art galleries and boutiques. The growth of the area stretched deep into the inner-city suburbs of Jeppestown and New Doornfontein.

The success of the property company propelled it to be among South Africa鈥檚 leading urban regeneration companies.

2. Its ‘Market on Main’ is One of Downtowns鈥� Popular Weekend Destination

Market on Main is an upmarket event that trades regional foods and local fashion design. It was first launched in January 2011 by Jacques van der Watt and Bradley Kirshenbaum and has been a weekly Sunday event since then.

The aim of the event is to encourage the inner city lifestyle by providing creative spaces for food and design entrepreneurs and providing a place for people to spend their leisure time. Visitors and residents interact over some drinks and food with live music. They also get to appreciate the fashion and purchase souvenirs in the open curios stalls.

This event happens in the Arts on Main Complex on 264 Fox Street of Maboneng Precinct. It begins from 10 am to 3 pm and entry is free.  

3. Maboneng is Featured on Walking Tours of Johannesburg

Johannesburg Photo By Gia Conte Patel –

They say the best way to explore a city is through walking! There are quite a few guides in Johannesburg that offer walk tour services to its visitors. Past Experience, Dlala Nje, JoburgPlaces, Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, Mainstreetwalks, and City Skate Tours are just to name a few.

Mainstreetwalks mainly focuses on the Maboneng neighbourhood and its surroundings. The guides lead regular walks around the neighbourhood, Friday night visits to bars and informal drinking places and rides around the nearby Troyeville and New Doornfontein suburbs.

4. Maboneng鈥檚 Development Concept is Live, Work and Play (LWP)

Live, work and play is the concept of mixed-use development. This concept is rooted in a self-sustained neighbourhood where essential living facilities are within the community. This reduces the resources used and pollution caused by commuting.

Maboneng offers its residents housing with different interior designs from the spacious loft and industrial chic apartments to contemporary fully furnished houses. Curio Jewel City Primary and High school, Spark School, Dominican Convent School are some of the educational institutions within the suburb.

5. It is A Centre For Urban Artists

William Kentridge, a South African Artist, at exhibition opening in Melbourne Photo By Peter Campbell –

Before Arts on Main became an artistic hub, it was the office of the former Mayor of Johannesburg. The building now hosts artist studios and leading galleries.

William Kentridge, a South African artist known for his hand-drawn animated films, has his studio set up in this complex. He is the founder of the Centre of the Less Good Idea a supportive group on experimental and collaborative art projects.

The David Krut Project is an art institution within the Arts on Main complex that brings awareness of careers in arts and related literature and media. Here you get to see local fine art print gurus and the best art books of Johannesburg. David Krut also has exhibition project displays on Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood.

6. Museum of African Design (MOAD) is Part of Maboneng Neighbourhood

The Museum of African Design (MOAD) is the first museum in Africa solely dedicated to design. It was officially opened in October 2013. Apart from showcasing design, MOAD hosts gallery exhibitions, fashion shows and live performances. It also supports scholarships in African Design.

MOAD鈥檚 visiting hours are Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm. This is however dependent on whether the museum is holding an event or not. 

7. The First Shareholding Purchase of Maboneng Was Bought in 2016

In 2016, Propertuity sold a third of its shares to RMB Holding. This was the first shareholder that the neighbourhood decide to venture into. RMB Holding is a financial service holding company and is among the 25 biggest listed companies in South Africa.

8. It Was Listed as One of the Coolest Neighbourhoods By Forbes Magazine

Forbes Magazaine Photo By StockSnap –

In 2018, Maboneng was named one of the 12 coolest neighbourhoods around the world by Forbes Magazine. It was ranked amongst Sants in Barcelona, Amsterdam Noord in Amsterdam and Navy Yard in Washington D.C. Maboneng and Kalk Bay, a coastal suburb in Cape Town, were the only African cities that made the list.

Jonathan Liebmann, the CEO of Propertuity and the man behind Maboneng Precinct, was included in the magazine鈥檚 30 most promising young entrepreneurs in Africa.

9. The Suburb has Multicultural Restaurants

Mexican Cuisine Tacos Photo By Katy Lynch –

Over the years, restaurateurs have invested their business in Maboneng. The majority of restaurants are found along Fox Street. They offer Mexican cuisine (Mama Mexicana), traditional Ethiopian injera (James XVI) and South African foods (Pata Pata).

10. It is A Few Blocks from Kwa Mai Mai Market

Kwa Mai Mai market is one of the oldest established traditional markets in Johannesburg. It is also known as Ezinyangeni or the place of healers. After the end of the 2020 lockdown, the place gained popularity and is now one of the most popular weekend joints in Johannesburg.

Kwa Mai Mai Market gives the unfiltered true experience of South Africa鈥檚 Street food as they are prepared on braai stands and firewood. The food is then served under makeshift awnings on plastic seats and tables.