Johannesburg Blue Plaques

Johannesburg Blue Plaques is a scheme for erecting blue plaques in Johannesburg, South Africa. The city and its citizens have embraced the idea of connecting people with places;[1] material culture with architecture;[2] or struggles against oppression and erasure. Blue Plaques offer those who are interested in the built environment or social history a spatial perspective to notable figures and events in early Johannesburg history. Johannesburg has a contested past and plaques are found in both suburbs and townships, commemorating the complex heritage of the city.[3]

The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation is one of the key parters in awarding and preserving historic landmarks with Blue Plaques. [4] Their aims are to protect increase the public consciousness of their own heritage by making them aware of significant locations, through Blue Plaques.

While the plaques do not have any formal or legislated status and do not prevent demolition or alterations of buildings. They serve as a mechanism to raise awareness among property owners and citizens about their heritage. The plaques also introduce visitors to noteworthy locations sites in the city. [2] A range of blue plaques, (or blank plaque sites) commemorate the layered history and geography of the city.

  • Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, [5]
  • Alexandra Heritage Centre[6]

History of Blue Plaques in Johannesburg

The initiative for the wide-scale adoption of Blue Plaques in Johannesburg came from Herbert Prinn in 1986, when Johannesburg was celebrating its centenary[7] with 100 blue plaques.[8] The earliest record from the City of Johannesburg for awarding plaques is 2003.[9]

Making and Mounting Plaques

A blue plaque is mounted on a structure or feature, associated with notable individuals or events. The plaques are circular and bordered with text that pertains to a relevant theme. In the centre of the plaque is a short citation and a logo below.

Future of Blue Plaques

Much like many other countries, the legacies of those who are commemorated with are contested. Recently another heritage register was set up after the domain BluePlaques.co.za was bought by an online casino, but a newly compiled Heritage Register[10] permits property owners to establish the heritage status of a property, and citizens to know more about their local history. [11] It's anticipated that a blue plaques app will follow shortly.

References

  1. ^ ISBN 9781803997704
  2. ^ a b Fitchett, Anne (2 September 2023). "The blue plaques of the city of Johannesburg, South Africa". Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa. 78 (3): 241–252. doi:10.1080/0035919X.2023.2277783. ISSN 0035-919X.
  3. ^ Fitchett, Anne (2 September 2023). "The blue plaques of the city of Johannesburg, South Africa". Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa. 78 (3): 241–252. doi:10.1080/0035919X.2023.2277783. ISSN 0035-919X.
  4. ^ https://joburgheritage.org.za/blue-plaques/
  5. ^ "Blue Plaques | The Heritage Portal". www.theheritageportal.co.za. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  6. ^ https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/thread/alexandra-heritage-centre-alexandra-johannesburg
  7. ^ The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. "Obituary content by year - Wits University". www.wits.ac.za. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  8. ^ https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/homage-zoo-lake-johannesburg
  9. ^ Fitchett, Anne (2 September 2023). "The blue plaques of the city of Johannesburg, South Africa". Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa. 78 (3): 241–252. doi:10.1080/0035919X.2023.2277783. ISSN 0035-919X.
  10. ^ "The Heritage Register". The Heritage Register. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  11. ^ Cox, Anna (4 August 2025). "Meet the 31-year-old Sowetan behind Joburg's first digital heritage register". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
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