From Pastures to Pavements - The Brixton Story

When most people hear the name 'Brixton', they think of the legendary Murder and Robbery Squad, the famous Brixton police station, and the squad cars that became part of Johannesburg folklore. But behind these well-known stories lies a suburb with a rich and surprising history.

Laid out in 1904 by surveyor Auret Pritchard, Brixton was envisioned as a working-class suburb, providing homes for the growing population of a rapidly expanding city. But its story begins even earlier. The land Brixton stands on was once part of the Government Grounds, an area linked to the earliest development of the young mining town.

According to local accounts, the property was purchased from Braamfontein Farm before 1900 by Carl von Brandis, the Witwatersrand’s first mining commissioner. His aim was to help extend the town and provide grazing for Johannesburg’s cattle. There are suggestions that parts of the grounds were once used as an abattoir, adding another intriguing layer to the suburb’s past.

Join expert JHF guide Antoinette Morgan for a fascinating journey through the streets of Brixton. Together, we’ll uncover forgotten stories, explore traces of its early beginnings, and see how this unassuming suburb evolved from open grazing land into a vibrant, cosmopolitan community. Along the way, we’ll look beyond the headlines to reveal the real people, places, and events that have shaped Brixton for over a century.

Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring along sun protection and water. You are welcome to enjoy a meal or refreshments before or after the walk at Breezeblock Cafe (for your own account). Toilet facilities are available at Breezeblock.