The Bead Shop has been operating on the strip for over 25 years. They sell the largest range of beading and craft items in Mzansi. We hope you had a festive Diwali and have a spooky Halloween ahead! Welcome to Melville Untold.

In this week's Melville Untold,

• This Virtual Race Is Saving Our Urban Oasis 🏃‍♂️💨

• Rally Up The Troops For A Water Protest ✊

• The Melville Art Mile Is In Full Effect! 🎨

Let’s go. 

— Aubrey Moloto, Kele Jackson,

The Digest

The Virtual Race Saving Our Urban Oasis 🏃‍♂️💨

We've been harping on about the exciting things happening in our hood, and this week seems as good a week as any to zoom in on the action at our urban oasis. There's a new, forward-thinking virtual competition "running" right now by Parks resident and Love Books content creator Alex Weiss, the creative mind behind The Trail Fund Project.

In the last few issues, we mentioned the Trail Fund Project, but I must admit we didn't think it would be such a hit! Check out issue #52 for the TL; DR. We hit Koppies Central on Sunday to see what the hype was about and got a word with Alex and the Friends of The Melville Koppies.

Meet Alex Weis

Alex is a web developer, marketing consultant and co-founder of Forge, a digital mapping company that works with conservation organisations to create accurate hiking maps. Born and raised in the Parks, Alex has always been fond of our green spaces, especially the Koppies, Emmarentia and Delta Park.

After studying in Cape Town and spending a few years in Germany, Alex came back last year in June. He rekindled with Melville through Love Books, where he does all the video content at their book launch events. Being close to the Koppies, he visited the nature reserve in August and ran through the Central section with his girlfriend. He felt a deep connection to our urban oasis and was moved by the work done by the Friends of Melville Koppies.

How it all came together

During a visit to Koppies Central one Sunday morning, he bumped into Jenny Grice of the Melville Koppies Committee. Jenny had reached out to him before, asking Forge to help update maps for the reserve. The Koppies volunteers are always thinking of creative ways to raise money to subsidise funding from Joburg City Parks. Much of the expenses are covered by funds raised by the volunteers through entrance fees, donations, guided tours, and special events.

In the past, the committee were approached by a big trail running event, but traditional racing events bear so much damage risk for the Koppies. They would need extensive logistics like clearances, city permission, first aid, parking and marshals. The biggest concern was that an event of that magnitude might be "too harmful for the environment" and interfere with regular hikers. Plastic markers and refreshments could also turn into litter.

The virtual solution

They declined that idea and then Alex engaged the committee. Having experience making websites with ticket functionality, he met up with Jenny to discuss ways to attract trail runners to the reserve, in light of the restrictions. Deeply understanding their concerns, Alex came up with a concept of setting a route that people can run in their own time, offering flexibility. A virtual race on an app where people can track their times, with a leaderboard that keeps competition scores.

The committee was happy with this idea. Since people already have to pay to enter the reserve, that cost was included in the ticket fee. Proceeds are allocated like this: 60% goes directly to Melville Koppies, and 40% covers website costs, marketing and Alex's time.

The main motivation was twofold: get people out on the trails and expose them to Melville Koppies, and encourage people to "give back by getting out" and support the conservation efforts.

Local businesses backing the race

Jenny managed to get local sponsors to provide incentives, such as vouchers for the leaderboards. Businesses sponsoring the race include Fingers Crossed, Eastern Temptations, Kitchen of Oz, Open Fuel (a running hydration brand), Hek se Huis in Sutherland and Mama Alles (dehydrated food for any adventure).

Alex feels that getting local businesses involved "added a nice element of community reinvestment" to the initiative.

How it works

The race is midway, it started on Sunday, 12 October 2025. It runs only during the hours of 8.30am to 11.30am when Melville Koppies Central is open. To enter, you buy a ticket on their Trail Fund Project website and receive the segment details and a GPX file via email—it’s a GPS file that traces the race route.

Runners loading this GPX file to their smartwatch or phone have proved the trickiest part. You basically need to download the official race app (Strava), send the file to your device, then upload it to your Strava app.

Not too late to enter

No need to worry that the race has already started. As long as you post your time before the competition closes next Sunday, 26 October 2025, you're right as rain and still in the 'running' to win prizes like vouchers up to R300, a two-night stay in the Northern Cape and more!

So far, many runners from across Joburg have come, and Alex expects about 100 entries in total. The committee have really enjoyed having new people experience the Koppies, with many surprised at having such an advanced and well-kept trail in the heart of the city. Others were impressed by the views and the history it holds, with most saying they didn't know it was here and are definitely coming back with their family. Just what we wanted!

I Love Melville

We ended our chat with an enquiry into Alex's Melville connection, and he laughed, saying that his most memorable moment is probably better told off the record. But then he seriously expressed that it was actually being at the Koppies in his recent visits, evenings spent doing his fulfilling work at Love Books, where he gets to capture some of the country's most important authors and thinkers, but mostly putting this event together and seeing it come alive.

What he loves about Melville is that it has a distinct personality and character, "a very distinct style, very distinct people and a very distinct kind of heritage”. He describes Melville as a "very creative place with a ton of potential with a lot of people who care”. He says that although it's had its struggles over the years, this doesn't stop people from trying.

A legacy in the making

Well done to Alex and the Melville Koppies Committee for a successful collaboration! The feeling around this event is that it has enormous potential. If they can keep going, I see it becoming another legacy event that can serve as another interesting entry point to our wonderful, multi-faceted suburb.

Join in the Trail Fund Project competition at the Melville Koppies Nature Reserve by purchasing a ticket online, contact Alex Weiss at 072 014 4668 to get involved. 

If you enjoyed reading this week’s main story, consider buying us a coffee; Payshap id: 0605293425 (Standardbank)

What’s Happenin’ 🤔

Lots of Halloween festivities ahead! Time to decide if you're going as a spooky ghost or just your regular self after a long week. Send pictures of your outfits!

Check out the online events calendar for the regular events - The Melville Pulse Events Calendar 

Melville Weather For The Week 🌸

Is it Winter or Summer? I don’t know, we cant call it! Here’s what AccuWeather thinks…

Wednesday 

24° 🌡️ 9°  | 🌤️ |  🌧️ 0% | N 11 km/h 💨

Thursday  

25° 🌡️ 11° | ☀️ | 🌧️ 0% | NNW 6 km/h 💨

Friday 

28° 🌡️ 15° | ☀️ | 🌧️ 0% | NNW 11 km/h 💨

Saturday 

28° 🌡️ 15° | ☀️ |  🌧️ 1% | NNW 11 km/h 💨

Sunday

29° 🌡️ 15° | 🌤️ | 🌧️ 1% | WNW 9 km/h 💨

Monday 

26° 🌡️ 9° | ☁️ |  🌧️ 8% | N 15 km/h 💨

Tuesday 

25° 🌡️ 13° | 🌤️ |  🌧️ 25% | NNW 7 km/h 💨

Live & Music Events Lowdown 🎸

 Here's where you can jam to some spooky tunes! (Just try not to summon any ghouls to the dance floor…)

24/10 | Friday | 7.30 pm | chiesa di PAZZO LUPi | Quintet: Jesse Mogale ft. Moss Mogale, Albert Brewin, Kopano Mashile, Reuben Nchabeleng and Maxwell Baloyi | R180

25/10 | Saturday | All Night | Coca Restaurant and Lounge | Rhythm District ft. Cheezo, RY-MC, Kena and Taariq Tots | Free

25/10 | Saturday | Wild Jasmine | Umndeni Jams Folk Magician: Chevanni Davids | DM @wildjasmine103

25/10 | Saturday | 7.30 pm | chiesa di PAZZO LUPi | Quintet: Lex Futshane ft. Sanel Phakathi, Zola Futshane, Siphiwe Shiburi, and Muhammad Dawjee | R180

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

Civil Matters👷‍♀️

Rally Up The Troops For A Water Protest

Okay, sh*t has got real! The people are tired of water infrastructure problems. We've talked about it time and time again. It's been a main topic in community groups, and it's not just us—many other communities are going through the same thing. Enough is enough!

Ahead of the protest organised by the Joburg Water Forum on 1 November, we speak to Melville's civic hero on the frontlines: Julia Fish, manager of JoburgCan. She did not mince her words, she did not stutter, and she is dead serious: the people-have had-enough.

"This protest is a culmination of years' worth of community pressure on the City of Joburg to deliver water to its residents," Julia says. She feels we've tried isolated community protests before, but what's needed now is a unified show of force from active citizens. The whole city is suffering.

It's not just certain types of people being affected. Julia exclaims that "we need to join together in this moment and fight for water justice for all”.

This will be a peaceful protest that showcases the diversity of the city's residents. They're encouraging people to bring placards and posters about their own water problems. This is a chance to hear from other communities and see what types of issues they're facing as well.

Julia says this will be a celebration of community and resilience. She has faith that it will be a "unifying vibe," so the whole family is welcome. You can bring your children too!

Details:

• Date: 1 November

• Location: Johannesburg Council Chambers, Civic Boulevard, Braamfontein

• Time: 10am

7th Street Works On Track

Back in the hood, work is still being done by Creass Community Services on 7th Street. They report that all is going smoothly and are on course to hit their projected timeline of January 2026.

Crime Stats Looking Good

The Melville Security Initiative have positive news. Their stats show that crime is much lower than usual around this time of year. They warn residents not to get complacent and to keep practising basic safety measures. Make sure your alarm systems work and report suspicious activity.

Business Bites 📂

Scooter's Pizza's Comeback!

Scooter's Pizza is making a comeback! The iconic South African fast-food chain is rebranding, and the first store opened up in our hood yesterday, 21 October, after about 10 years. The first rebranded store is on the corner of Main Road and 2nd Avenue, where Bill Craig used to be.

We're not huge fans of fast food and would rather do Picobella's Wednesday pizza special, but I'm sure the students living in that building will appreciate being able to dash downstairs for a quick takeaway during gruelling exam seasons.

They're bringing back their 39-minute promise of delivery, "or it's free,". Which sounds a little less competitive these days, with most Uber Eats deliveries coming in under that.

Nonetheless, it's lovely to have so many vacant buildings being put to use again! Welcome back, Scooter's!

The Tail End 🐾

Dense Fur, Different Care

Firstly, we hope the doggies in the hood were inside and okay during the Diwali festivities earlier this week.

Sorry, we forget that our pet community consists of more than just cats and dogs! We need to do more for our exotic pets as well. This one is for the chinchillas!

With help from the good people at Ziggy's Pet Pamporium, we learnt that chinchillas have the densest fur of any land mammal; about 30 to 90 hairs can grow from one hair follicle. Because of this intense density (indensity?), they cannot have water baths, parents.

Your fur babies must take dust baths to clean themselves. Sounds counterproductive, right? Well, water gets trapped in their fur and can cause fungal infections. So, lesson of the week: don't wash your chinchilla fur babies!

Thank you Ziggy's, for always coming through for our animal community members.

Markets Watch 🎪

It's Halloween week at the markets, folks! And since it's the last weekend of the month, both the Melville Market and the Melville Artisanal Market will be open for a Halloween special. Get ready for tricks, treats, and maybe even some cute dog costumes.

Melville Artisanal Market (Tennis Courts)

If you're a market regular, you'll know how big Halloween at the Melville Artisanal Market is. It's arguably their biggest market of the year. Last year was a wonderful family fiesta to remember that ran way past their usual 2pm closing time. That's when the real Halloween festivities began!

This year promises to be no different, maybe even building on the momentum and going bigger than before. Here's what you can expect at the "Trick or Treat Edition” of Melville Artisanal Market:

• The usual stalls plus more!

• Trick or treating: Kids can ask vendors for a trick or treat for a fun surprise

• Loads of Halloween-themed artisanal goodies

• The DJ will be spinning "spooky tunes" all market long

• Vendors will all be dressed for the occasion

• A costume parade with awesome prizes for kiddies.

Market trading from 9am to 12pm, then the costume parade from 12pm to 2pm

Melville Market (Kruisgemeente Church)

The market at Kruisgemeente will also be having a Trick or Treat Market and a costume parade too. Paul Mills, the market's professional camera specialist, will be taking snaps of the best-dressed guests!

What to expect:

• A minimum of 17 stalls this week

• Trick or treating for kids

• A costume parade with a Photo Booth for professional pictures

• And much more Halloween festivities!

Vendor info: Vendors wanting to trade at the market can call Ernest at 084 477 7137 before 12pm Today (Wednesday) to book a spot. Any enquiries after the 12pm deadline will have to wait for their next market at the end of November. Wa lala wa sala!

Melville Art Mile 🎨

The art community is in full voice again this week! Lots to see, lots to do, and plenty to get involved in.

AA Gallerie (JAM)

After a jam-packed October starting with their Mapping Memories opening and writing workshop, Yoga at AA Gallerie has unfortunately been postponed until November. Stay tuned to the gig guide for details. Instead, they'll be having a Walkabout for Mapping Memories on Saturday, 25 October from 1pm to 2.30pm.

The Melville Mudroom

Joburg's number one pottery studio has been growing from strength to strength. They're not only offering world-class pottery classes but also collaborating with UJ, Wits, different faculties in the Department of Arts & Culture, and this week, Gordon's Institute for Business Science in Illovo.

Together with Ceramics SA Gauteng, they're hosting a pottery presentation with Hennie Meyer: "Creativity, Chaos and Construction: A Clay Experience" at Gordon's Institute on 25 October from 10.30am to 1pm. Email [email protected] to book your slot!

Resource Gallery

With such a hive of activity, Resource Gallery would never just stay quiet! They're getting ready to open their November exhibition: "If You're Breathing, You're Achieving".

If their last opening is anything to go by, this will be huge. Black Man Confidential's exhibition last month was massive. We attended, and I wasn't sure if I was at Groove or an art opening. There wasn't loud music and partying though, just many art enthusiasts connecting deeply over the work whilst drinking wine and green tea.

Their next opening is on Friday, 7 November, and we're excited!

Die Pienk Kerk x Gordart Stokvel

Last but certainly not least, our new addition to the Melville fam, Die Pienk Kerk, in collaboration with Gordon Froud of Melville's favourite art gallery Gordart Stokvel, will be opening the much-anticipated, critically acclaimed Karoo Gothic!

The whole hood and surrounds have been anticipating this opening since the day Die Pienk Kerk announced it was opening its doors. We're more than ready for it! It's going to be an insane Saturday in the hood to usher in the summer months because this is ALSO opening on Saturday at 11am. Have you ever wished there were two of you?

They'll be having a sip and paint event on Tuesday, the 28th, as well, starting at 6.30 pm.

Strap on your seatbelts, y'all, art is heading up the resurgence! It's almost time for a First Thursday event and an official Melville Art Mile. Reach out if you're interested in making it happen. Let's collaborate!

Koppies Check-In ⛰

The Great Southern BioBlitz

It makes us so happy to see Mellies come alive again! On top of the Trail Fund Project, the Melville Koppies will be hosting another special event: The Great Southern BioBlitz.

It's a moment for all Southern Hemisphere countries to record all life organisms in spring, "to showcase our beautiful biodiversity to the world."

It's hosted on iNaturalist, a site that allows normal people like you and me to contribute to science.

"Every observation can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backed jackal." You record your findings on the site, and they share them with scientific data repositories to help scientists find and use the data.

Details:

• Date: Sunday 26 October

• Location: Melville Koppies Central

• Time: 8am to 11.30am

With all these virtual events happening at our urban oasis, it's only a matter of time before you can visit the Koppies through the Metaversez Hold on to your neuralink helmets, folks, the Koppies celebrate history but are firmly in the future. 

Extra Sprinkles ✨

The Brotherhood Walk

A common perception of men is that we don't talk about our feelings much. Well, Roberto Denkinger, a local graffiti artist, thinks we can walk about them!

Inspired by a friend, Roberto has recently started the Brotherhood Walk initiative—an event where local men meet up on the strip and walk up Melville Koppies East and back. Roberto was inspired by a friend, an American content creator living here who's been doing a similar thing at Delta Park . Depression and thoughts of suicide drove him to start the walks.

Rob was following him on socials and realised the importance of it; how "something as simple as a walk can change people's perspective and put them in a better frame of mind."

The caveat to Rob's version? It's meant to be a full barefoot walking experience. He encourages the men to walk barefoot to "connect with nature and energise by feeling the ground." He believes it's a completely different experience from walking with shoes.

After their first trial run last week, to a decent turnout, Rob is happy with the amount of interest shown. He also acknowledges that some men may need a bit of a push, but he sees and believes in the benefits of these walks. Roberto hopes it can grow and benefit the Melville community.

Join the Whatsapp group to join up with the men and stay in the loop on the next walks.

Link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FE46pBXOdjU4t7tuxzLCST?mode=wwc

Thank you! 🙏

And that's that, former, future and current citizens of the Ville! Thank you for taking a hit of this week's Melville spirit. Careful, it's addictive!

If it made you feel as good as we do, consider tipping us? Buy us a coffee. Payshap id: 0605293425 (Standardbank)

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Until next Wednesday, Melville

Stay glorious, stay gleeful and stay glued to your inbox for that next issue!

slán ✌️