Revitalizing Alexandra: A Cultural Vision for Richard Baloyi Street

A grassroots campaign is underway to transform Richard Baloyi Street in Alexandra, Johannesburg, into a vibrant cultural hub. Thatho Mary-Ann Marolen Ngcobo, founder of the Kula Marolen Foundation, envisions the area as a creative heritage precinct that celebrates its unique history.

"Everybody knows Vilakazi Street is Soweto," Ngcobo remarks, emphasizing that Alexandra deserves similar recognition. The Kula Foundation, a women-led organization based at Kula House—formerly her grandparents' home—aims to nurture this initiative, which will highlight the street's rich past and lively atmosphere.

The street is named after Richard Baloyi, Johannesburg's first black bus company owner, and is already bustling with life. It boasts a heritage center, notable blue plaque buildings, and vibrant street art. Nearby, one of Baloyi's historical buses awaits transformation into a community attraction.

However, the area's heritage center, which houses exhibits on the apartheid era, urgently needs attention, with empty spaces signaling neglect. Ngcobo outlines plans to revitalize the precinct, including improved lighting, artist incubators, and partnerships with local food vendors. Her vision also includes training community members to serve as security and tourism ambassadors.

Ngcobo insists on creating an authentic experience, stating, "We don’t want to create a sanitised tourism bubble, but a street where people can gather, eat local food, and immerse themselves in history." The Kula Foundation also engages in various community projects, from cleaning up the Jukskei River to promoting urban farming through vertical gardens.

Source: www.dailymaverick.co.za