Our vision is a Sophiatown and surrounding communities where all people truly belong: where there is healing, opportunity and prosperity; so that resources are used to create a society where none live in poverty.
Our programmes integrate leadership and value-
We also preserve and share the history of this area, and the histories of the multi-
Our values are inspired by the life-
Our venues, known as Sophiatown the Mix -
Tour Bookings:
083 550 7130
Entrance to heritage
house: R60 per person (groups 6+ R45 pp)
Full Sophiatown walking tours R180 every Saturday 11am
All profits are routed to support our work with young people and creative community development that is sustainable: where the impact on people, planet and profit is carefully judged and resources shared.
Trevor Huddleston CR Memorial Centre, 71 Toby Street, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, 2092 . Post: PO Box 468, Westhoven 2142.
Email: thmcentre@mweb.co.za Tel: +27 (0) 11 673 1271 Fax: +27 (0) 11 252 7976
Registered section 21 not-
The Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre. NPO no 020 393
Patrons: Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Ambassador Abdul Minty, Rev Mpho Tutu
Hon Sophie du Bruyn MP, Emeritus Archbishop Khotso Makhulu, Esme Matshikiza, Sally Motlana.
Board Members
Rev Sam Masemola (chair), Lebogang Motlana,
Rev Basil Manning,
Trevor Fowler,
Bon Chandiyamba.
Sec: Violet Mohotloane
Our new home in Sophiatown, the Trevor Huddleston CR Memorial Building, was officially opened in September 2015, by elders and youth with links to Fr Huddleston, in the presence of families who had lived in Sophiatown before the forced removals, and residents who live there today.
Opening the building, music composer and icon Jonas Gwangwa cut the ribbon with Khadija Kgoleng whose grandfather was priest and Archdeacon of the area in Fr Huddleston’s day;
The building was funded through grants from the National Lotteries Commission, the national Department of Arts & Culture; donations from William Kentridge, Peter Vundla, Mr and Mrs Douglas Board, Zerbanoo Gifford, and many others; and an enabling loan from Lord Joel Joffe, without which the project would not have succeeded. Deep thanks to all who contributed to this new phase of the Huddleston Centre’s life.
The building is an environmentally ‘green’ building which showcases alternatives – it’s the first community designed building in South Africa with a focus on sustainable enterprise and celebrating diversity of culture.
For information on current events at the new site – known as Sophiatown theMix
go to www.sophiatownthemix.com
Find us: 71 Toby Street, Sophiatown.
E: Info@trevorhuddleston.org call: 011 673 1271
Mama Dorothy Masuku – Africa’s most prolific composer and performer-
The Trevor Huddleston CR Memorial Centre exists to inspire communities and young people, and enable them to live, realise and achieve their dreams and thrive with dignity.
Our approach is bespoke: it encompasses leadership, service and value-
Fr Huddleston was nicknamed 'Makaliphile', meaning 'dauntless one'. We seek to be dauntless in the pursuit of a more equitable economy, non-
We also preserve and share the history of this area, and the histories of the multi-
You can read more details about our programmes HERE which are managed by through our social enterprise initiative at our site -
Why Sophiatown?
Sophiatown and the western area neighbourhoods were historically famous particularly for their racially-
Father Huddleston was sent to Sophiatown in 1943 to continue the education and pastoral work of his religious community , known as 'CR', which stands for Community of the Resurrection, based in the UK. He was 30 years old and found a vibrant community which instantly took him to its heart. You can hear more about people who affected Fr Huddleston, and about his impact on their lives, by visiting our site. click here for details
By the time he was 42 years old, he had written a book about apartheid called 'Naught for Your Comfort'. It was banned in South Africa but sold 250,000 copies all over the world, so many people came to hear about apartheid. When Fr Huddleston returned to the UK in 1956 he committed to the struggle in new ways, and was one of the founding members of the 'Boycott Movement' -
Sophiatown today is probably one of the most diverse suburbs in Johannesbug, with long time residents from the 1960s, returned residents from the 1950s, and new families and students who know little of the area's rich past.
Our school visiting programmes share stories about people who once lived here, and encourage young people to find out more about the suburb's recent history and current mixed population.
Photo: school learners gather for history talk in the Sophiatown garden of the historic A B Xuma house
Photo: Renowned SA jazz musicians play in Sophiatown every month. Check here for details
Heritage Team Leader, Tshepo Letsoalo introduces the Biko commemorative exhibition introduces the Biko commemorative exhibition