Braamfontein
Encyclopedia
Braamfontein is a central suburb of Johannesburg
, in South Africa
. It is well located, straddling Jan Smuts Avenue and Empire Road. The Nelson Mandela
bridge is a landmark that connects Braamfontein to the city. Braamfontein is supported by a cultural arc that includes Newtown, University of the Witwatersrand
, Constitution Hill
and the Civic Centre.
Like so many farms on the Witwatersrand
, Braamfontein was subdivided early on, indicating a fairly dense population in the area. Two other Bezuidenhouts, Gerhardus Petrus and Cornelis Willem, each purchased one third of the farm in 1862, and a third part went to Frans Johannes van Dijk. Between 1862 and 1886 different portions were further subdivided, at escalating prices.
Three other well-known owners were Johannes Jacobus Lindeque, who in 1884, bought a section where the Country Club was established in 1906, and Frans Eduard and Louwrens Geldenhuys, both personalities in Afrikaner circles in Johannesburg.
The first suburb established on the farm Braamfontein in 1888-1889 was unofficially named after the farm, in reality being an official extension of Johannesburg proper. Today this area is still called Braamfontein. There was, however, an earlier but unsuccessful effort to create a suburb prior to this.
Founded in the early twentieth century as a neighbourhood of Johannesburg, the area encouraged large commercial development during the apartheid era. After the abolition of white rule the area began degrading, however, due to interventions by both the city of Johannesburg and large corporate business the Braamfontein Management District is a reflection of what urban renewal can take place in an inner-city district.
Situated north of the city centre, Braamfontein is the fourth-largest node supplying office space in the city of Johannesburg. Strategically linking Newtown and Braamfontein to form the "Cultural Arc", is the Nelson Mandela Bridge, a gateway into Joburg's city centre.
Braamfontein is South Africa's foremost receiving house of live entertainment, home to four South African-based multinationals, the City Council and South Africa's premier educational institution, the University of the Witwatersrand, commonly known as Wits University. The area has been given a new lease on life with the district's regeneration initiative headed by the Johannesburg Development Agency and property owners. Through the establishment of the Braamfontein Management District and the launch of the Braamfontein brand, this precinct has been transformed into an appealing and safe corporate district, educational centre, and entertainment and arts hub.
Braamfontein is Johannesburg's central hub for arts and entertainment hosting most of South Africa's musicians and artists. The Johannesburg Civic Theatre is one of the prime theatres and has a daily visitor count of 1,200 people and boasts of housing the only Nelson Mandela Theatre worldwide.
The National School of the Arts, is also situated in Braamfontein.
exploded in Braamfontein, killing 78 people.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It is well located, straddling Jan Smuts Avenue and Empire Road. The Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
bridge is a landmark that connects Braamfontein to the city. Braamfontein is supported by a cultural arc that includes Newtown, University of the Witwatersrand
University of the Witwatersrand
The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg is a South African university situated in the northern areas of central Johannesburg. It is more commonly known as Wits University...
, Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill may refer to:*Constitution Hill, New South Wales, Australia*Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth*Constitution Hill, Birmingham*Constitution Hill, London*Constitution Hill, Swansea*Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, South Africa...
and the Civic Centre.
Early history
The name Braamfontein dates from at least as early as 1853, when this farm to the north-west of Randjeslaagte belonged to Gert Bezuidenhout. In that year he applied to the government to have his farm surveyed. Barely five years later, in 1858, Gert sold his farm to FJ Bezuidenhout.Like so many farms on the Witwatersrand
Witwatersrand
The Witwatersrand is a low, sedimentary range of hills, at an elevation of 1700–1800 metres above sea-level, which runs in an east-west direction through Gauteng in South Africa. The word in Afrikaans means "the ridge of white waters". Geologically it is complex, but the principal formations...
, Braamfontein was subdivided early on, indicating a fairly dense population in the area. Two other Bezuidenhouts, Gerhardus Petrus and Cornelis Willem, each purchased one third of the farm in 1862, and a third part went to Frans Johannes van Dijk. Between 1862 and 1886 different portions were further subdivided, at escalating prices.
Three other well-known owners were Johannes Jacobus Lindeque, who in 1884, bought a section where the Country Club was established in 1906, and Frans Eduard and Louwrens Geldenhuys, both personalities in Afrikaner circles in Johannesburg.
The first suburb established on the farm Braamfontein in 1888-1889 was unofficially named after the farm, in reality being an official extension of Johannesburg proper. Today this area is still called Braamfontein. There was, however, an earlier but unsuccessful effort to create a suburb prior to this.
A Central Suburb of Johannesburg
Situated north of the city centre, Braamfontein is the fourth-largest node supplying office space in the city of Johannesburg. Strategically linking Newtown and Braamfontein to form the "Cultural Arc", is the Nelson Mandela Bridge, a gateway into Joburg's city centre.
Braamfontein is South Africa's foremost receiving house of live entertainment, home to four South African-based multinationals, the City Council and South Africa's premier educational institution, the University of the Witwatersrand, commonly known as Wits University. The area has been given a new lease on life with the district's regeneration initiative headed by the Johannesburg Development Agency and property owners. Through the establishment of the Braamfontein Management District and the launch of the Braamfontein brand, this precinct has been transformed into an appealing and safe corporate district, educational centre, and entertainment and arts hub.
Arts and Entertainment
The National School of the Arts, is also situated in Braamfontein.
Braamfontein explosion
On February 19, 1896, a train containing 56 tonnes of dynamiteDynamite
Dynamite is an explosive material based on nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth , or another absorbent substance such as powdered shells, clay, sawdust, or wood pulp. Dynamites using organic materials such as sawdust are less stable and such use has been generally discontinued...
exploded in Braamfontein, killing 78 people.