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Thulane Hadebe -
Faeeza Khan -
Marcus Neustetter -
Arts on Main : Photo: Dook
COMPILED BY Malibongwe Tyilo
Across the globe, more and more people are moving to the inner city. In Joburg, the increasingly popular Maboneng Precinct has become a hub for those seeking a live-work-play kind of space. In VISI 66 The Office, we caught up with three professionals who have chosen to call Maboneng their home and office. Here are the full interviews.
Marcus Neustetter
What do you do?
I am an artist and co-director of The Trinity Session, a contemporary art production team.
What was the last place you lived before moving to Maboneng?
Braamfontein
Why Maboneng, and how has living and working there affected your lifestyle and working habits?
My experiences in this changing city and connectivity to people have been influencing my work and that of my collaboration in The Trinity Session for many years. Seeing the city’s areas such as Maboneng take shape and affect change through their influence has inspired interesting discussion and reflection. Living in Maboneng has started to present some possibilities for a community of creatives to influence their surrounds and engage. While I have always done this, I find myself spending time contemplating scenarios and possibilities of the city in relation to experiences with neighbours, passers through, the larger city and its dialogue with my neighbourhood. I work and live with friends in the Precinct, I walk to work, socialise on my doorstep and create projects with opportunities in the area and beyond.
Besides living and working in Maboneng, do you also play in Maboneng?
Yes, in Maboneng and the areas around, such as Ellis Park for swimming and tennis. My partner Bronwyn Lace trains in the Hilbrow Gym and on our rooftop. Our daughter is taken for daily strolls through the neighbourhood and in her nine months probably is known by more people in the ‘hood than me. The other night, looking for a place to eat, Bronwyn and I were walking with the stroller and came across the Culinary School at Arts on Main, where we were enticed to make our own pasta and spend the evening consuming what we had created and chatting to a bunch of visitors to the Precinct and connecting with our neighbours.
Favourite lunch/business meeting place in Maboneng?
Free lunches in public space hosted by The Trinity Session. We have launched a series of lunches in and around Maboneng to engage in the public environment and share ideas and interesting spaces. With good food, interesting exchanges and alternative settings, this is my favourite way of making sense of my surrounds.
How do you see yourself as part of the Maboneng rejuvenation?
I contribute creatively and critically. As I feel we all should to make this city work, I give much of my time and engage in many discussions and actions to make the place work in relation to its investors, its neighbours, its passers-by and, most importantly, its potential. The City of Johannesburg needs not only the support of investors and private partnerships, but generous users that are interested in making the city work. Dialogue and active involvement is what is needed and I am glad to be in an environment with many others that feel the same way.
Faeeza Khan
What do you do?
I am a fashion designer who makes ready-to-wear womenswear and special orders. I draw much inspiration from my surroundings and use nearby suppliers.
What was the last place you lived before moving to Maboneng?
A unit in a complex in Ferndale, Randburg.
Why Maboneng, and how has living and working there affected your lifestyle and working habits?
I believe a place has a personality and attracts people with this personality. Maboneng’s personality: A proud Joburger with an awareness, kindness and respect for all its people; someone who wants to meet and interact with a diversity of people; someone who is bored with the mainstream, and who seeks out new and varied experiences; someone who finds beauty in urban spaces; and someone who wants to make a difference and contribute to this amazing city that is Joburg.
Since living here, I’ve discovered a side of Joburg I didn’t know existed. A side where people are embracing the city. I’ve been for in-and-around Maboneng many events. I’ve also been exposed to international visitors who come here to work and experience Joburg. It’s made me more appreciative of the beauty of Joburg and what it has to offer. I definitely go out a lot more than when I lived in the suburbs.
Working here is exceptionally inspirational. I draw inspiration from the surroundings, the washing hanging on lines at tops of buildings, the pedestrians in the CBD, exposure to international visitors and immigrants, and the creative exhibitions I visit.
Besides living and working in Maboneng, do you also play in Maboneng?
Oh yes! There’s always fun stuff to do in Maboneng and I often don’t have enough time to do it all. My favourite activities are movies at The Bioscope and shows at the Pop Art Theatre. I also go to Market on Main, exhibitions, and Maboneng events and get-togethers with my neighbours who are my friends.
Favourite lunch/business meeting place in Maboneng?
Uncle Merv’s is my watering hole in the mornings on my way to work. I stop there for a coffee and to chat to people before work. They also do smoothies and takeaway lunches.
How do you see yourself as part of the Maboneng rejuvenation?
I see myself continuing to grow my business and supporting the other businesses in the area in the process. I care about the people that lived and worked here before the precinct. Until now, I’ve trusted the people at the top to make responsible decisions that don’t adversely affect the locals. I’d like to become more involved in this.
Thulane Hadebe
What do you do?
I run a PR and marketing firm called Brand Ambassadors. We represent some of the top lifestyle brands and celebrities in South Africa including Bombay Sapphire, Wrangler Denim, Kong Nightclub, Grazia Magazine and Butterfly Twists, with celebrity names such as Nicola Breytenbach Steiner, Lee-Ann Liebenberg and Lee-Anne Summers also in our portfolio.
What was the last place you lived before moving to Maboneng?
I lived in Fourways in a cluster development prior to moving into Main Street Life. Besides being in traffic daily and the high density of population in and around the Fourways area; the property is suburban and for small families. Being a young entrepreneur, Maboneng was an apt choice for me to reside because of the potential growth of urbanisation in Johannesburg. The Precinct is going through an urban renewal and people want to live, eat, work, play in one area.
Why Maboneng, and how has living and working there affected your lifestyle and working habits?
Besides Maboneng being very central in relation to the rest of Johannesburg, the Precinct has tapped into the pulse of Johannesburg. Maboneng has gained a heart and soul that has great potential to be a focal point of this country. My lifestyle has changed from driving to work everyday, to locking up my apartment in Main Street Life and walking around the corner to my office in the Main Change Building. My fuel consumption has decreased, I’m no longer in the congestion of cars in the morning and the area is secure and safe.
Besides living and working in Maboneng, do you also play in Maboneng?
The Precinct is so diverse with numerous activities happening to appeal to all. Sundays, the Market on Main is great to soak up the sun and taste different foods, especially Counter Love, which I recommend highly. You can also take a salsa dance class to work it all off. The Living Room reminds me of bars in Los Angeles over looking the whole city, with a relaxed atmosphere and great for sundowners. Cocoon is the best to get a massage to take the edge off of the bustling city and then The Bioscope has a wide range of independent films that are shown regularly.
Favourite lunch/business meeting place in Maboneng?
A collaborative office space, The Open is a great meeting space for a quick meeting or conferences for keynotes. The Open boasts a putting green and its own barista for excellent coffee. Without it being your typical office, The Open has all the facilities of printing, high-speed internet, reception and boardrooms. People are always impressed when they come for meetings.
How do you see yourself as part of the Maboneng rejuvenation?
Having already purchased in the Maboneng Precinct, I feel a sense of being a part of the change. I always say to people that “Maboneng is to Johannesburg as Brooklyn is to Manhattan”. There are changes happening in Johannesburg and in few years time we shall see immense growth.
Click here for more VISI articles about Maboneng.
VISI 66 The Office explores the changing nature of workspaces and how they are becoming more and more integrated with living spaces. Features include a reportback on Jean Nouvel’s Office for Living exhibition at the Milan Furniture Fair, over 20 inspiring 9-to-5 spaces, 36 reasons to love work and six saucy essays by Lauren Beukes, Eben Venter, Margie Orford, Khaya Dlanga, David Donde and Zodwa Kumalo-Valentine. Find the magazine in selected retailers or get the digital version online right now.
