Love is in the air in Melville this week, we hope! Happy Valentine's week! May you make memorable moments with that special someone in your life. ❤️

In today’s Melville Untold,

• Inside Broken Hearts HQ 💔  

• Valentines Specials 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

• Welcome To Melville, Shoprite 🛒

Let’s go!

— Aubrey Moloto, 

The Digest

Melville's Own Broken Hearts HQ

Heartbreak: Intense emotional distress or sorrow. A feeling of great sadness or emotional pain often associated with loss or disappointment, particularly in love.

Heartbreak can also refer to the intense stress one experiences from longing or unreciprocated feelings. February is a month to celebrate love. Well, as Valentine's Day approaches, let's take a moment to highlight a new, progressive place in our neighbourhood that has made a platform for the lack of it. Our own headquarters of heartbreak: The Museum Of Broken Hearts.

Origin Story

As naturally creative as we Melvillians are, this is not an entirely new concept. In South Africa's tough economic landscape, many startups and ideas are centred around material gain. This is very understandable if you look at the scope of national poverty and unemployment rates. More businesses are needed, and a focus on wealth creation is crucial.

This ideology is very different in the global north, especially in Europe. Zagreb, Croatia. This is where the need for an opportunity to express and share experiences, thoughts, and emotions about heartbreak and loss was first felt.

In 2006, ex-lovers Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišić broke up and started dividing their belongings. They came across a wind-up rabbit that encapsulated their whole relationship. This rabbit became the basis for the Museum Of Broken Relationships - a platform for people to end or resolve emotional trauma from past relationships and to share and understand the feelings of others.

Georgia's Journey

In May 2024, Georgia Adams visited the Museum. She had an eight-hour layover flight in Zagreb, Googled things to do there, and found that the Museum Of Broken Relationships was a top listing. It took a bus, a tram, an Uber, and many interesting conversations to reach it.

What struck Georgia during her experience was that humans like to mark milestones with rituals for births, deaths, and marriages but do nothing for break-ups or heartbreak. "We don't pay tribute to the time, the lessons learnt, or even the gift of heartache."

The idea resonated with her. She felt that with all the pain, suffering, and trauma happening in our own country, South Africa could benefit from having the same type of platform. She wanted to create a place where people could acknowledge their hurt and gain a sense of closure. And thus, a seed was planted.

Enter Chris

When she returned to South Africa, she attended a reunion of a course she took and bumped into Chris Aron. Chris and Georgia had worked together in the corporate space years before. They caught up on their personal journeys, and then Georgia mentioned Zagreb. She told Chris about her idea. It resonated with him as well since he had just come through a journey of personal healing himself.

As part of his own healing process, he had bought the house in Melville, which is now home to the museum. The house was the first home he had chosen for himself. His previous one was picked by his ex-wife, and their divorce had left him shattered. Chris loved the idea that others might find the same peace by visiting it in its new spirit as a museum. So, he offered Georgia fertile land to plant her seed.

This was the first artefact the new Museum Of Broken Hearts received. The two joined forces and established the Museum Of Broken Hearts in South Africa, an altruistic venture that's a much-needed but uncommon type of business in this economy.

Grand Opening

The Museum Of Broken Hearts South Africa opened its doors with a bang! Chris and Georgia's idea was received warmly and garnered support from many friends, family, and the Melville community too. They tweaked the concept slightly to include more than just broken relationships. It's a place where people can be vulnerable, express and share experiences, thoughts, and emotions, and share and understand the feelings of another.

The Museum appealed to those who needed a platform like this to anonymously donate their heartbreak memorabilia, write their story, and either deliver or call the Museum to collect. These were the pieces on display at the grand opening event and can still be found there today. Even now, people are urged to participate and enrich the museum with their own items associated with a personal story of heartbreak.

People got together, connected, and shared some tasty treats like the cakes Chris baked himself, teas, and coffees provided by the museum. People talk highly of the grand opening, the concept, and the work they did to bring something like this to South Africa and Melville. Someone even commented on one of their posts, "Well done for pursuing this somewhat abstract idea and making it a tangible, relatable physical reality. I'm so inspired by this. We all carry hurt in our bodies and facing the hurt is part of the healing."

Why Melville

Chris originally moved to Melville to explore a childhood place that accepted everyone. He wanted to be in a place where people don't care about who you are and if you are different. Melville is a more open-minded area; they knew the creative and cosmopolitan energy would welcome them. With Chris already owning the place here and Georgia also knowing and loving Melville as well, it seemed like a no-brainer, almost fate, to have it here.

2025 And Beyond

The museum is open to the public on Sundays from 2-5pm. Entrance costs a donation of R50 minimum, and there's complimentary cake and teas/coffee.

It's a warm and calm environment with a clean white look. There's a gorgeous chandelier hanging from the main area and white podiums housing the donated pieces spaced out neatly. From the main area, going out the sliding doors, you'll find a small balcony for people to get fresh air and connect. There's an intimate sitting area with couches for this too.

Near the sitting area is a confession stand where visitors can write things they harbour anonymously on confession cards, buy customised locks that will be hung up on the balcony, and also buy MOBH merch like T-shirts, mugs, and chocolate. An interesting idea for a Valentine's date to remember! How about that? Start a new relationship with healing and closure.

Going forward, the museum wants to expand into the other rooms by having a creative space for kids' healing, adding themes of forgiveness and coincidence, hosting events and partnering with creatives and tour operators, possible group therapy, or just holding space for people who need an outlet. They want to be a space for more than just heartbreak; they want to be a holistic healing space that celebrates an array of emotions.

I Love Melville

As usual, we had to gauge their Melvillian meter by asking our two favourite questions: what they love about Melville and what is their most memorable moment here. Georgia's most memorable moment was years ago when she hosted some friends from overseas. She wasn't sure what she could do to entertain them but felt a lot of pressure to make sure they had a blast. So she took them to Cool Runnings, and they had the time of their lives! They even still talk about it to this day! Nice one, Georgia! Trust in Melville.

What she loves about Melville: Growing up, as a student, she spent a lot of time here, and she fell in love with its "arty creative flair and very down-to-earth people." She loves the coffee shops and the all-around energy around Melville.

Chris most remembers the moment he came back to Melville with his current wife. They were house hunting for a new place around the city. They found the perfect home in Melville, and when the agent sent them the house address, it was the house next door to the one he currently owned for the Museum (Fate, I tell you!). He thinks this type of thing "can only happen when you have such a deep connection to a place and its people."

Chris loves Melville because it reminds him of the inclusivity and the acceptance it gave him as a student. He loves the diversity, the inclusion, and the opportunity to explore outside of his boundaries. He feels that Melville has an underlying acceptance of everyone but does not accept dishonesty. Ain't that the truth!

You can visit the Museum on Sundays from 2-5pm at 71a 2nd Avenue, Melville. (Check the gig guide) During the week Chris uses the house to run his therapy practice. Contact him at 0767048819 for enquiries.

If you enjoyed today’s Valentine’s special about The Museum Of Broken Hearts consider buying us a coffee. 

What’s Happenin’ 🤔

We gathered up the fun things to do this week and added a special Valentine's date idea section. 💕

Melville Weather For The Week ☔️ 

A chill in the air, wet roads, and cloudy skies. Perfect snuggle weather! 😊

Tuesday

25° 🌡️ 14°  | 🌩️ |  🌧️ 90% | NE 11 km/h 💨

Wednesday 

24° 🌡️ 14°  | 🌩️ |  🌧️ 42% | N 11 km/h 💨

Thursday  

27° 🌡️ 15° | ☁️ | 🌧️ 44% | WNW 7 km/h 💨

Friday 

28° 🌡️ 16° | ⛅️ |  🌧️ 25% | NNE 7 km/h 💨

Saturday 

28° 🌡️ 16° | 🌤️ |  🌧️ 25% | NNE 7 km/h 💨

Sunday

25° 🌡️ 15° |  🌩️ |  🌧️ 61% | NNE 11 km/h 💨

Monday 

26° 🌡️ 13° | 🌤️ |  🌧️ 17% | N 13 km/h 💨

Live & Music Events Lowdown 🎸

Here are some music events for you to bump and grind to this Valentine's week. 💃🕺

11/02 Tuesdays | 7 pm - 10 pm | Xai Xai Lounge | Eric Miyeni & Richard Jones playing live music | Free entry

11/02 Tuesdays | 7 pm - 10 pm | Coca Lounge | Artist open showcase/performance | Free entry

12/02 Wednesday | SIX Cocktails Bar | Live Jazz Sessions - Marcus Wyatt, Dave Cousins, Nhlanhla Radebe | 8 pm til late | Free entrance 

13/02 Thursdays | 7 pm - 10 pm | Coca Lounge | Open Mic - Plug in, play, sing and rap | Free entry

13/02 Thursday | 8 pm | Smoking Kills Bar | Noise Night #5 - Strufskywater, Ligyrophobia, Kenneth Angerhand, Midnight Banshees, Klumbsy Oxx, X14, Louis in The Lab, Isadora.Dustmite.Junk | R80

14/02 Friday | 9 pm | Smoking Kills Bar | Valentine’s Ball - Tenrapid, Chris Pheiffer, St. Martin | Dress in your best vampire formal wear | Free entry

14/02 Friday | 6.30 pm - 9.30 pm | Chiesa di PAZZO LUPi | Jazz Umcimbi featuring Zuko Yigi, Vuyo Mjindi, Muhammad Dawjee & Siphiwe Shiburi | Tickets R200

15/02 Saturday | 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm | Chiesa di PAZZO LUPi | Zintle Ne-ahtYah Mbuyazwe featuring Joel Klein, Zuko Yigi, Sphiwe Shiburi, Vuyo Mjindi, Pelo Ndzandzeka & Muhammad Dawjee | Tickets R180

16/02 Sunday | 4 pm | Jo’anna Meltbar | Sola Vida Drum & Bass | 1/2 price cocktails | Free entry all day

Sundays | 8 pm - 10 pm | Coca 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 ⛰️

This week at Melville Koppies, we're doing the monthly "Walk With Dogs" again!

It's happening at Melville Koppies West this coming Saturday, the 16th of February. We had such an amazing turnout and so much fun last month that I cannot miss this one.

If you're keen to give your furry family members an adventurous run about, come through! Arrive at 7:50 am for 8 am, at the cul-de-sac at the top of Arundel Road. It's R40 per person (please bring cash). Hope to see you there!

And on Koppies Central, the usual stuff! Free roam, bird watching, and meditations.

We'll be having a book reading for kids on the 9th of March (roughly every second weekend of the month). You can also book your private group hikes with Wendy - 079 532 0083 for details

Civil Matters 👷‍♀️

No End To The Water Issues

Joburg Water doesn't seem to have a handle on the water issues right now. Lots of maintenance is happening, and lots of knock-on effects are causing one fix to lead to another break. Sit tight Melville, it might be a while until we get a proper resolution.

Hopefully, the councillor will have some decent news for us; he's been prodding and probing for answers himself.

In the meantime, we urge you to use the community water tanks at the satellite station on First Avenue. They work very well and have great capacity!

Johannesburg Road Agency Work On Rustenberg

JRA Contractor Motau Projects has been busy with upgrades to the 9th Street and Rustenburg Road traffic lights. Be careful crossing that intersection; it can be very dangerous at times.

The work should be done by Valentine's Day.

Markets Watch 🎪

Melville Artisanal Market

The Melville Artisanal Market had a rocking start to their Valentine's week! They enjoyed a superb turnout with many new vendors pitching up as well.

They'll be carrying on the love-themed festivities over Valentine's Weekend.

So head down to the Market on Rustenburg Road on Saturday, check out the new vendors, and find some special gifts for your lovers!

Melville Market

At Kruis church on Saturdays, new vendors also grace the Melville Market! More vendors equal more variety for Melville to enjoy!

This coming weekend, there'll be fish & chips by Rendezvous Café.

Ernest is also doing pancakes and jaffles now. Yum!

Don't miss out on the new offerings at the Melville Market. We're being spoiled for choice!

Extra Sprinkles  ✨

Welcome To Melville, Shoprite

It's a Food Lovers, it's a Checkers, nope! It's a Shoprite that will be replacing the Spar at our Boulevard.

After a couple of weeks of uncertainty and voting lines at Pick 'N Pay Campus Square, we have a new grocery store coming in.

Just like most of you, we hoped for a wholesome Food Lovers too, but for whatever reason, we got ourselves a Shoprite. People weren't happy with the standard of our Spar in the last few years, so here's a change.

Let's hope it does better! Here's to many new memories, Shoprite. Welcome. 🥂

Pablo House x Candice Berman Gallery

The Candice Berman Gallery is collaborating with Pablo House Boutique Hotel to create a one-of-a-kind experience for their guests.

They've hung up some of their best art collections in the hotel and restaurant, making it an even more luxurious experience than before.

Now there's a special experience to give your date this weekend. Show them that there are levels to Valentine's outings!

Thank you! 🙏

Thank you for tuning into our first love issue! If you made it this far, you must have enjoyed the read. Show us some love, consider buying us a coffee.

Have a special Valentine's Day. Spread some love in our hood this week.

How many times do you think the word Valentine was in this week's newsletter? Give it a guess and let's have a laugh. Hit reply!

Stay smitten, stay starry-eyed, and let's keep Melville's heart beating with love! 💘

'Til next Tuesday,

Bisous! 😘