This is a walking tour through the hilly countryside of Sylvia Pass, Kallenbach Drive, and Linksfield Ridge in search of the footprints left by the German-South African architect, Hermann Kallenbach, and his great friend Mohandas Gandhi. Kallenbach made a unique contribution to the Johannesburg townscape – in a series of religious, commercial and residential buildings, and as a township developer in the north-eastern suburbs. But it is the decade where he and Gandhi shared a friendship and a political struggle in this City, between 1903 and 1914, that was perhaps the most significant in his life.  

The top of Kallenbach Drive, the steep pass that bears the architect’s name, is one of Johannesburg’s most magnificent view sites. We shall examine his stonework on the retaining walls, steps and boundaries, and also learn a bit about the geology of this important ridge which dominates Orange Grove, Sydenham and Linksfield to the north. A highlight of the tour is a visit to the meditation stones on the site of Kallenbach’s home.

We will be expertly led by Professor Kathy Munro and local historian and author of In the Footsteps of Gandhi, Alkis Doucakis.

We start and end at Sylvia's Market - if you want to explore the market arrive early, or stay on for lunch and music. 

Note this is a walking tour: you need good shoes, sun block, sun hat and water.  It's a challenging walk so a reasonable level of fitness is required, as we shall be walking down Sylvia Pass and then back up to the top of the ridge via Kallenbach Drive.

Email Eira to book - mail@joburgheritage.org.za

GUIDES: Prof Katherine Munro and Alkis Doucakis

PARK: Sylvia’s Market, 59 Frederick Street, Observatory

TIME: 09h30

DURATION: 3 hours

COST: R90.00 for members and R150.00 for non-members

MAXIMUM No: 50