No Feature, Lots Of Civil News & Guide👷

This week, we're bringing you a slightly different Melville Untold. Our feature piece is still in the works as we gather important information. But don't worry – we've got your guide to the week and a few tasty tidbits to keep you in the loop!

Make sure to tune in next Tuesday for a full-fledged Melville Untold. We promise it's a goodie and definitely worth the wait! 😉

In today’s Melville Untold,

• A Stranger Kind joins forces with Museum Of Broken Hearts for a special event ❤️‍🩹

• Bambanani's Theatre Dilemma 🎭

• The Koppies bring a new experience 📖 

Let’s go.

— Aubrey Moloto, 

What’s Happenin’ 🤔

We have the usual ongoings in the Ville this week plus a special event at the Museum Of Broken Hearts, check out this week’s gig guide.

Melville Weather For The Week ☀️ 

Finally, the sun is out again. What a great, warm week we’re having! Watch out for rain from Thursday.

Wednesday 

27° 🌡️ 13°  | 🌤️ |  🌧️ 25% | NE 11 km/h 💨

Thursday  

28° 🌡️ 15° | ⛈️ | 🌧️ 78% | WNW 7 km/h 💨

Friday 

27° 🌡️ 15° | 🌩️ |  🌧️ 66% | NNW 6 km/h 💨

Saturday 

25° 🌡️ 15° | 🌤️ |  🌧️ 40% | N 11 km/h 💨

Sunday

26° 🌡️ 15° |  ⛅️ |  🌧️ 44% | NW 9 km/h 💨

Monday 

26° 🌡️ 13° | 🌤️ |  🌧️ 47% | NE 4 km/h 💨

Live & Music Events Lowdown 🎸

Chiesa’s live music events are back!

Tuesdays | 7 pm - 10 pm | Xai Xai Lounge | Eric Miyeni & Richard Jones playing live music | Free entry

Tuesdays | 7 pm - 10 pm | Coca Restaurant And Lounge | Artist open showcase/performance | Free entry

Wednesdays | SIX Cocktails Bar | Live Jazz Sessions - Marcus Wyatt, Dave Cousins, Sphelelo Mazibuko, Thembinkosi Mavimbela | 8 pm til late | Free entrance 

Thursdays | 7 pm - 10 pm | Coca Restaurant And Lounge | Open Mic - Plug in, play, sing and rap | Free entry

28/02 Friday | 6.30 pm - 11 pm | Chiesa di PAZZO LUPi | Rorisang Sechele: The Seed Tour | Tickets from R120

28/02 Friday | 7 pm - 2 am | Smoking Kills Bar | Crooze - Crunchy Sweater, Rudy Chalmers, Babble Hume | Tickets R80 

28/02 Friday | 7 pm | Coca Restaurant And Lounge | Open Mic Poetry Night | Open to poets and musicians | Entry R50 | Sign up  

01/03 Saturday | 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm | Chiesa di PAZZO LUPi | Banned From The Land - Amandla Akhona, Xhanti Nokwali, Bopha Blackman, Sakhile Twala | Tickets R180

01/03 Saturday | 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm | Chiesa di PAZZO LUPi | Sopraterra - Nicola Genovese, Magda Drozd Opening Act: Andre Van Wyk | Tickets R180

Sundays | 4 pm | Jo’anna Meltbar | Sola Vida Drum & Bass | 1/2 price cocktails | Free entry all day

Sundays | 8 pm - 10 pm | Coca Restaurant And Lounge | Vynil Sundaze - DJ Mo, DJ Peppe, Dj Ferose, JusDane & DJ Ashwin | Every Sunday

If this comprehensive weather and gig guide helped you, consider buying us a coffee. 

For more updates as the week goes on, visit our instagram page @snapson7th

Melville Koppies Check-in ⛰️

On the 8th of March the Koppies will feature a new monthly Storytelling event happening every second weekend. Here's what to expect:

About the storyteller
Merle Grace is a storyteller, puppeteer and librarian at Parkview Junior School. She's passionate about South African stories and loves telling them with children sitting in front, and adults gathered around listening. She believes that sharing each other's stories makes the world a better place.

This week's stories:

WHERE FIRE COMES FROM – A SAN-BUSHMAN MYTH
This beautiful myth explains the origin of fire. From our own San-Bushman people, telling this story connects us to our heritage. It may be more than 20,000 years old, making Greek myths seem young by comparison! Suitable for all ages.

MARIAM KHAN MEERKAT
Mariam Khan Meerkat (also known as Mariam K) is the bravest meerkat in the Kalahari. She fears nothing – until her mother sends her across the river where she must face her worst fear: the water monster! A funny story examining whether our fears are truly as scary as we imagine.

Join us!
Story telling at Melville Koppies
Sunday, 9 March at 9am
Storyteller: Merle Grace
Ages: All welcome!

Civil Matters 👷‍♀️

Bambanani's Theatre Dilemma

There's big talk in Melville this week about the Melville Residents Association blocking Bambanani's application for a full amusement license. We can all agree that the club scene has dominated our culture hub, catering mostly to students and young people outside Melville. This makes it hard for families to feel welcome and safe around the strip.

Bambanani represents the opposite and has been a safe haven for families in our area. Over the past year, they've been building a children's theatre on the corner of 4th Avenue and 7th Street. This sounds like a wholesome idea and a great family-friendly attraction that can push against the current nightlife-heavy culture. It could possibly even inspire more family-friendly businesses and ideas.

The issue raised by the MRA and some residents is that a full amusement license covers everything, including clubs and adult entertainment. So if Bambanani ever closes down, the door will be wide open for another club or Roxy's situation 2.0. Calls for a petition to push against the MRA blocking this license application have been sounded. Think about these two arguments when choosing a side. Both are very valid.

Another solution idea is for them to apply for a theatre-based license. This would allow them to carry on with the theatre but may block some of the other children's entertainment they have. It feels like a tough nut to crack. Maybe a digest piece delving into the epidemic of amusement license issues in Melville is on the cards. Reply to this email with your opinion or you'd like us to talk to the powers that be and work on an in-depth piece about this problem.

And there you have it – month-end madness! We hope you enjoyed this week's issue, even though it lacked the usual digest. A family emergency plus research being tougher than expected hindered us this week. A huge lesson was learnt. From here on out, we'll work to get pieces done ahead to avoid crises and stay on track with high-quality deliveries.

Tree Blocking Road

After last week's storms, a fallen tree blocked the road. Some misinformation spread about who should handle it, so we'd like to clarify.

When a tree falls, it's City Parks' responsibility. CREASS alerts and assists them where possible, especially given JRA restrictions.

City Parks has a small team covering our region (B). This team handles both maintenance and emergencies during office hours. On weekends, they focus only on emergencies.

The fallen tree was one of 30 jobs that day. It took priority as it blocked the roadway, damaged power lines and a property. Four chainsaw operators, four assistants and one crane worked to clear enough space for one lane of traffic.

The remaining branches was collected yesterday (Monday) after the team had completed emergency jobs during office hours.

WaterCan & JoburgCan Peaceful Protest

WaterCan & JoburgCan Peaceful Protest After a successful petition, WaterCan & JoburgCan will embark on a peaceful protest tomorrow, Thursday, February 27th, at the City Council Interim Budget Meeting.

The protest demands "ring-fencing" the budget for Joburg Water Infrastructure. Placards will be provided, and communities are urged to join as numbers are needed for the voices of our concerned citizens to be heard.

🗓 Date: Thursday, 27th February 2025

⏰ Time: 09:30 AM

📍 Location: 158 Civic Blvd, Braamfontein

📌 Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/L7xow1DXVVtb5tuX8

Markets Watch 🎪

Month-end shopping at the markets!

Melville Artisanal Market

As payday weekend approaches and we move into March, the Melville Artisanal Market offers compelling reasons to visit. You'll find wholesome food for your cupboards and many new products from vendors.

This week we particularly highlight their extensive preloved book selection. As we head into autumn, a good novel can complement the seasonal change. Visit this weekend – Laurel has a brilliant all-round selection, and the Cowboy Candy stand offers some interesting adult fiction.

Icing On The Cake  ✨

70th Anniversary of Sophiatown Forced Removals 

Our history-rich close neighbours, Sophiatown, are commemorating the 70th anniversary of the historic forced removals with a 60-day exhibition at the Dr AB Xuma Museum (Sophiatown Heritage Centre) on the corner of Edward & Toby Streets.

We like to think that Melville is the lovechild of the old Hillbrow and Sophiatown. Let's join them in celebrating this remarkable piece of South African history by visiting the exhibition during these remaining weeks since it opened on February 8th.

Thank you! 🙏

Thank you for the support! If you loved your read this week, consider buying us a coffee.

And there you have it – month-end madness! We hope you enjoyed this week's issue, even though it lacked the usual digest. A family emergency plus research being tougher than expected hindered us this week. A huge lesson was learnt. From here on out, we'll work to get pieces done ahead to avoid crises and stay on track with high-quality deliveries.

Forward this email to a friend who cares about our beautiful neighbourhood.

Celebrate Melville, celebrate each other, and let's get our community thriving!

'Til next Tuesday,

Paalam! ✌️