March in Melville has been a blitz of unpredictable afternoons, thunderstorms and the great Melville retail shuffle. But amidst the chaos, we want to take a moment to wish a warm and blessed Eid Mubarak to our Muslim neighbours. Welcome to Melville Untold.

In this week’s newsletter:

• Happening and Melville's Tipping Point ⚖️

• The Digital Resurrection of The Koppies Iron Forge Launch 👾

• First Thursday April Programme: What To Expect 🐣

— Aubrey Moloto, Kele Jackson

The Digest

The Happening and Melville's Tipping Point

If you have been paying attention over the last few months, you will have noticed a distinct shift in the air. For a long time, the narrative surrounding Melville was heavily focused on post-COVID survival and fighting an uphill battle against opportunistic crime. But recently, the tide has visibly turned.

Between the visible presence of the CBI Patrollers in early '23 to Goni security, the community clean-ups, the Safe Streets developments, and the Melville Art Mile, the suburb is starting to feel fundamentally different. People are returning. The pavements are getting busy again.

But a question still lingers: are we finally breaking even from the highs of the pre-COVID era? Have we fully bounced back? I think anyone who was here pre-2020 will tell you that we're still far from it, but if there is one single event that can tip the scales, accelerate the regeneration process, and definitively answer that question, it's The Happening, which is set to take over the whole precinct this Saturday, the 28th of March.

The Legacy of the Strip & The Logistics Experts

Street festivals have always been the lifeblood of Melville's identity. They are the moments that built our rich artistic brand and showcased the area as a cultural hub rather than just a night-time drinking destination. Cobi Meyer from the Melville Business Association remembers the "golden eras" fondly. "Many of the previous street festivals stand out, where the whole strip felt alive with music, art, and people just enjoying the space. Those felt special because they weren't just events; they were experiences that captured the spirit of Melville: its diversity, vibrancy, and slight edginess."

When asked to pick her top moments, Cobi highlights the legendary 2000 Mardi Gras, the Fête de la Musique around 2012, and the return of The Happening in 2024.

The goal for this Saturday is to recapture and elevate that exact energy. To do that, you need serious pedigree behind the scenes. The organising team brings decades of experience to the table. You have Cian McClelland, whose event production roots trace back to 1989 with the African Cultural Heritage Trust and the AfrikaBurn community. Alongside him is Melissa Thorne, bringing 38 years of film industry and logistics experience, having produced everything from Mozambique’s Festival 2000 to major investor conferences and now a part of the Melville Art Mile.

For the organisers, bringing this to Melville was a no-brainer. "Melville obviously being the chosen choice because it attracts the artists and has that fantastic vibe that everybody knows, even from the 80s," Melissa notes. "It was our stomping ground for many, many years."

Cian echoes this, explaining the decision to bring an AfrikaBurn-style ethos—built on participation, radical self-expression, and non-commercial collaboration—into an urban space. "It is one of the few places in Joburg where this kind of thing makes sense. There is a certain raw authenticity to Melville. It is not polished or corporate. It is real, a bit rough around the edges, but full of character."

A Community-Owned Comeback

When the festival was originally slated for last October, the team couldn't raise enough money from local businesses, forcing a postponement. But rather than killing the momentum, that delay became a catalyst.

"It was probably a good head start," Melissa admits, noting it gave the team more time to connect directly with the community. "In a way, that process has made the event even stronger, because it has proven that it is not just something we are organising. It is something the community truly owns."

For Cobi and the MBA, the impact of this collective effort is palpable. "This is more than just another event; it is a comeback moment. We are not fully back to pre-COVID levels yet, but we are confidently moving in that direction."

The Heavy Lifting & The Safety Net

You do not pull off a street closure of this scale without immense coordination. Danny, the Melville Security Initiative (MSI) Operations Manager and the appointed Safety Officer for the event, has been deep in the trenches coordinating with stakeholders, presenting the JOC event file to the city, and ensuring all procedures are met. Alongside his MSI duties, Danny has spent the last six months with his CREASS team meticulously revamping and painting the 7th Street sidewalks in preparation.

The financial backing for the security infrastructure has also been a massive group effort. The MSI sponsored the medical and fencing services, CREASS supplied waste management and traffic equipment (sponsored by the MBA and MRA), and Beagle Watch has generously provided their services for the day at absolutely no cost to the community.

"The safety plan consists of 20 officers, three supervisors, a team of paramedics, and myself to make sure everyone has a problem-free environment," Danny assures. However, he offers vital street-smart advice: large events naturally attract opportunists. While security is briefed to spot syndicates looking to exchange fake banknotes or pickpocket, residents must remain vigilant.

Danny also gives a massive shoutout to Cobi for her relentless drive behind the scenes. "I want to thank Cobi from Ziggy's Pet Pamporium for her commitment... from endless battles with City Power to motivating me, to driving and hosting the community clean-ups."

What to Expect: Shifting the Perspective

This Saturday is designed to be a sensory overload in the best way possible. Backed by Joburg Tourism as a flagship event to drive cultural growth, the streets will be entirely transformed. Melissa is particularly excited about the line-up: "I love the stilt walkers, the burlesque, and I'm glad there are lots of kiddies' activities."

Expect everything from wandering saxophonists and mutant vehicles (like the famed Garden of Weeden) to a dedicated Record Fair at Good Omens and all-day Rock & Roll with R50 pregos at Xai Xai.

The long-term vision for The Happening is to become an anchor cultural event that shifts how people see public space—proving that streets can be places of connection and creativity, not just traffic.

The stage is set. The streets are clean. The safety plan is locked in. Now, it is up to us. "Come out, come enjoy, participate," Cobi urges. "This is your neighbourhood, let's bring it back to life together."

The Details:

• Date: Saturday, 28 March

• Time: 10:00 to 19:00

• Entry: Free

• Note: Please read the maps sent out to the groups this week to help you navigate the road closures. See you on the strip

Enjoyed this week’s digest? Consider buying us a coffee – It keeps the newsletter going.

What’s Happenin’ 🤔

If your social battery is not already fully charged, you might want to plug it in now; the hood is showing off this week, and pacing yourself is highly recommended!

For more updates as the week goes on, visit our Instagram page @snapson7th or our Melville Pulse event calendar

Melville Weather For The Week ☔️

Thursday  

27° 🌡️ 16° | 🌩️ | 🌧️ 55% | SW 7 km/h 💨

Friday 

27° 🌡️ 15° | 🌤️ |  🌧️ 25% | NNE 9 km/h 💨

Saturday 

27° 🌡️ 15° | ⛅ | 🌧️ 55% | W 9 km/h 💨

Sunday

28° 🌡️ 15° | ⛅ | 🌧️ 12% | SSW 6 km/h 💨

Monday 

27° 🌡️ 16° | ⛅ | 🌧️ 55% | SW 6 km/h 💨

Tuesday 

25° 🌡️ 15° | 🌤️ |  🌧️ 25% | NW 4 km/h 💨

Wednesday

26° 🌡️ 11° | ⛅ |  🌧️ 4% | e 6 km/h 💨

Live & Music Events 🎸

Because sitting still is a terrible way to spend a weekend in our neighbourhood. Bring your dancing shoes, or at the very least, a highly enthusiastic head-nod.

Biz Bites 📂

Melville Clothing Sale

Looking for fresh threads without the hefty retail price tag? A local pop-up is clearing out vintage and curated favourites this Saturday. Expect stylish ladies' wear (plenty of name-brand jeans), adorable baby clothes, select items for the guys, plus cool action figures and toys for the kids.

• 85 3rd Ave, Melville

• When: Saturday, 28 March | 10:00 – 14:00

Get there early and snag the best finds!

Civil Matters 👷‍♀️

Let There Be Light (Mostly)

A massive shout-out to Cobi Meyer and the Melville Business Association (MBA). After a relentless push, City Power has been out repairing the festive and street lights on 7th Street just in time for The Happening. They are also scheduled to fix 4th Avenue up to the traffic circle. The bad news? The poles beyond the circle towards Main Road have been vandalised so severely that fixing them requires an entirely new overhead cabling plan. That needs CAPEX budget approval, so that stretch will remain in the dark for this round. Take the win where we can get it./The Happening: Road Closures & Resident Passes

If you live or trade near the main strip, plan your weekend logistics now. Road closures will be in effect this Saturday, 28 March, from 06:00 to 18:00.

• Soft Closures: 8th, 5th, and 6th Streets along 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Avenues. Residents and business owners can still drive up to the hard closure points.

• Hard Closures: 7th Street at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Avenues. No vehicles may cross these points.

• Deliveries: Only permitted via 5th Avenue between 06:00 and 09:00. After 09:00, only emergency and official event vehicles will be allowed.

Danny has already distributed access passes to mailboxes for residents on 2nd Avenue (69 to 103), 3rd Avenue (69 to 104), and 4th Avenue (75 to 103). If you are in those zones and have not received yours, DM him immediately to arrange a drop-off.

Community Clean-Up: The Final Stretch

DIY precinct maintenance has been phenomenal. Thank you to everyone who grabbed a brush or a broom over the weekend. Ziggy’s Pet Pamporium is holding leftover paint and supplies for any artists still wanting to touch up their spots today. There is one final clean-up push happening on Thursday at 12:00, show up and help get the neighbourhood looking sharp!

MSI Call for Street Captains

The Melville Security Initiative is building a network of Street Captains to tighten up communication across the precinct. They need residents who have access to their specific street WhatsApp groups to act as liaisons. If you live on 11th Ave, 3rd Ave, 2nd Ave, or specific stretches of 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th Avenues, step up. WhatsApp your name and email to 066 448 3249 to get involved.

Pikitup Backlogs

Overflowing bins remain a major frustration. Ward Councillor Kyle Jacobs has confirmed that Pikitup has finally issued a Refuse Collection Recovery Plan to address the severe backlogs across our area. He is monitoring the rollout to ensure Pikitup actually clears the backlog.

Melville Art Mile 🎨

First Thursday April Programme: What To Expect

Running from 16:00 to 21:00, the April edition continues the strict "Top 20" curation strategy, bringing a dense, highly walkable night market and gallery experience. The route is anchored by the Joburg Artist Market at 27 Boxes, which serves as the central hub, bursting with fresh talent and interactive sessions. As always, follow our Lew Geffen Sotheby's wayfinding arrows and collect a map when a marshall scans your ticket.

To give you a clear idea of what is on the ground this month, attendees can expect:

• Immersive Visuals at Play Café: Neon light installations by the Jozi Art Club and live finger-painting demonstrations by local artist PK.

• The Spoken Word at The Giving Room: The first floor of 27 Boxes transforms into a sanctuary for "Poetry & Playful Art," featuring spoken word artists Rabbie Wrote and Kiara Braum, alongside vibrant works by Julie Kirsten.

• Fine Art & Craft at the Glass Cube: Digital art and printmaking by Freeform Art Studio share the space with works by Diane Nair and Mark Modimole.

• Ceramics, Thrift & Beats: Catch Kate Shand's ceramics next to Stokvel Gallery, or browse curated thrift and artisanal goods at the Art & Wine fair and Johannesburg Child Welfare's night market, pushing their "Art With A Purpose" program.

Beyond the central hub, the traditional Melville nodes feature robust, hands-on programming:

• Asisebenze Art Atelier: The Asisebenze Art Atelier join the route, adding serious weight to the evening's programme.

• Stokvel Gallery: An exclusive exhibition by renowned artist and owner, Gordon Froud.

• Avalon Art: A collaborative intaglio printing exhibition by mother-daughter duo Hildegard and Rae, plus a hands-on gnome painting craft workshop.

• Six Cocktail Bar: A live bead-making workshop led by local street vendors, Bra Jimmy and Bra Shepard.

• Die Pienk Kerk (The South Anchor): "Thank you for the Music," an auditory and visual experience spanning both their restaurant and gallery space.

• Café Picobella: Exhibitions by Arthur Blake, offering a perfect pairing of Italian fare and local art.

• The Green Fork: Featuring works by the seniors from the German Old-Age Home in Richmond, blending local dining with fine art.

• Studio 79: Matin Wenkidu's home studio across JAM keeps its place on the mile with a "Colour As An Experience" workshop and live studio tour

• GAPP Architects is our surprise package this month as the route detours slightly off 7th into 2nd Avenue for an expression of the art of architectural design.

• And so much more still to be confirmed. New developments will be announced on our socials and in next week's newsletter.

We'll keep curating the lineup and working hard to raise the quality of art offered and activities along the route. A safe, walkable, and creative environment does more than just bring feet to the street; it directly supports the local economy and plays a part in revitalising Jozi. You can grab your Free Walk-In pass for exclusive MAM discounts around the precinct or the R160 Self-Guided Explorer (which includes hop-on-hop-off Tuk-Tuk access) directly on our site.

However, if you want the ultimate interactive experience, book the R450 Premium VIP Tour. This immersive three-hour curated journey includes unlimited Tuk-Tuk transport, welcome drinks, exclusive tastings, and a handcrafted souvenir. Buying a VIP ticket directly supports Snaps On Seventh, funding our efforts to expand our tour guide offerings and playing a practical, boots-on-the-ground role in reinvigorating Melville's tourism industry.

It is shaping up to be an incredible week for Melville. With the much-anticipated return of The Happening street festival this Saturday, 28 March, followed straight after by the Melville Art Mile on Thursday, the neighbourhood's creative energy is at an all-time high. Get those tickets! 

Koppies Check-In ⛰

Iron Memory: The VR Forge Experience Gets a Launch Date

The augmented reality reconstruction of the Batswana iron forge on the Melville Koppies is getting close to officially rolling out. The intersection of local heritage and technology, brought to life by the UJ Metaverse Research Unit, has a confirmed launch schedule:

• Friday, 1 May: Internal UJ and media project launch.

• Sunday, 3 May: Public Launch. The Melville community is invited to head up to the Koppies, celebrate the milestone, and test out the AR phenomenon for themselves.

• Wednesday, 6 May: School Tours. Local schools are already booked to walk the site and interact with the digital reconstruction of the 500-year-old forge.

Thank you! 🙏

That's Issue #75 done and dusted! If this Melville Untold saved you a trip, gave you something to chat about at the coffee shop or nudged you out the door this week, consider buying us a coffee.

Have an incredible product or service the neighbourhood should know about? Reply to this email and ask about our advertising rates, or let us know how you want to get involved with the upcoming events.

Read something that made you smile? Forward this mail to a friend who loves Melville.

Bi xatirê te. ✌️