18°C
18°C
Day 1
Start your tour at Downtown Studios, a legendary recording facility located in the heart of Johannesburg’s inner city. Established in 1979 as RPM Recording Studios by Matt Mann and Dan Hill, it was acquired by Gallo Records in 1982 and rebranded as Downtown Studios in 1990. Today, it forms part of the Downtown Music Hub, a cornerstone of South Africa’s music industry with over four decades of creative legacy.
During and after the apartheid era, the studio served as a rare and inclusive space where artists of all backgrounds could collaborate freely. It became a creative sanctuary for iconic South African musicians such as Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Lucky Dube and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, while also attracting international stars like U2, Simply Red and Manfred Mann.
Following a major revamp in 2015, the five-storey facility now houses cutting-edge recording studios, rehearsal rooms, and the Downtown Museum of South African Music – a vibrant exhibition celebrating the country’s rich musical heritage.
Today, Downtown Studios continues to nurture emerging talent and support established artists, standing proudly as a beacon of Johannesburg’s cultural and artistic spirit.
Address: 62 Goud Street, Johannesburg CBD
Proceed to Dorkay House, a historic three-storey building located in Johannesburg’s central business district. Designed by architect Colman Segal and completed in 1952, it was originally commissioned by Dora Kotzen as a factory for “cut-make-and-trim” men’s clothing – hence the name “Dorkay.”
In 1954, the building underwent a remarkable transformation when Father Trevor Huddleston raised funds to lease it for Union Artists, providing a creative sanctuary for black musicians during apartheid. By 1957, it had become home to the African Music and Drama Association (AMDA), serving as a vital cultural hub for artists who were excluded from white-only venues.
Address: 5 – 7 Eloff Street, Johannesburg CBD
Enjoy lunch at Mkhaya African Cuisine which boasts contemporary African meals and traditional shisanyama made with passion and professionalism.
After lunch visit Market Theatre: Founded in 1976 within a repurposed Edwardian produce market, the Market Theatre is a legendary institution at the heart of South Africa’s cultural and political history. Known globally as the “Theatre of the Struggle,” it became a powerful platform for protest art during apartheid, staging groundbreaking productions such as Woza Albert! and Sophiatown, which fused theatre with live jazz, marabi and kwela music.
The complex features three intimate venues – the Main Theatre (387 seats), the Barney Simon Theatre and the Laager Theatre (each seating 120) – designed to deliver raw, immersive experiences. Its proximity to the iconic Kippies Jazz Club and its commitment to reviving the spirit of Sophiatown have cemented its role as a vibrant nexus of music, storytelling and social justice. Today, the Market Theatre continues to champion emerging voices and bold new works, remaining a vital force in Johannesburg’s creative landscape.
Address: 138 Lillian Ngoyi, Newtown
Then head to Joburg Theatre: South Africa’s premiere home of live entertainment, presenting world-class international and home-grown theatre. With four theatres, the STAGES restaurant, function rooms for private dining or corporate functions and state of the art ballet studios, the Joburg Theatre is an exciting, bustling venue from early morning to late at night. It offers theatregoers a wide choice: from classical ballet to comedy; from drama to pantomime; from intimate single-handers to full ensemble musical productions. It also gives performers, musicians, writers, directors, designers and technicians the space and opportunities to develop their skills in a commercially viable environment.
Address: 163 Civic Blvd, Braamfontein
Day 2
Start your day with a visit to the historic Sophiatown, which is not a venue, but a cultural landmark – once a vibrant, multiracial suburb located west of Johannesburg’s CBD, near what later became Triomf. From the 1920s until its forced demolition in 1955 under apartheid’s Group Areas Act, Sophiatown flourished as the city’s epicenter of jazz, literature and political activism. Marabi music – a rollicking, keyboard-driven genre – echoed through its shebeens, while writers from Drum magazine fueled a literary and theatrical renaissance.
Icons such as Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Can Themba and Es’kia Mphahlele began their careers here, shaping South Africa’s cultural identity. Today, Sophiatown’s legacy is kept alive through stage productions like Sophiatown at the Market Theatre, which channel its defiant spirit with live performances of marabi, kwela and kofifi sounds. The Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre, located in the area, continues to preserve its memory through exhibitions, education and community outreach.
Proceed to Soweto Theatre: Opened on 25 May 2012, Soweto Theatre is a bold and contemporary cultural landmark in South Africa’s largest township. Designed by architectural firm Afritects, its striking red, yellow and blue geometric façades reflect the vibrancy and resilience of Soweto’s spirit. The theatre was commissioned by the City of Johannesburg as part of a broader urban renewal initiative for the Jabulani precinct, with the aim of creating a world-class performance venue rooted in community identity.
The complex features three performance spaces: the main red auditorium (436 seats), a blue theatre (120 seats) and a yellow theatre (80 seats). These versatile venues host a dynamic mix of music, dance and drama, often spotlighting township jazz, gospel, kwaito and Afro-jazz. The opening production, The Suitcase – adapted from Es’kia Mphahlele’s short story and featuring music by Hugh Masekela – set the tone for the theatre’s commitment to showcasing South African stories.
Address: 660 Bolani Road, Jabulani, Soweto
Contact Details
Downtown Studios
Telephone: +27 65 810 8890
Soweto Theatre
Telephone: +27 11 930 7461/2/3
Website: sowetotheatre.com
Joburg Theatre
Telephone: +27 11 877 6800
Website: joburgtheatre.com
Market Theatre
Telephone: +27 11 832 1641
Website: markettheatre.co.za
Dorkay House
Telephone: +27 81 445 8527
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