Sundowners at Ponte

Dlala Nje invites all with an open mind to come for a Jozi shebeen experience in the clouds on the 51st floor of Ponte every Thursday.

Today, Ponte is believed to be a poster child for urban decay. Participants get a chance to see why this iconic, brutalist structure dominating Johannesburg’s skyline, has attracted its current reputation – and why this perception is misguided.

The tour starts at the Dlala Nje community centre where there’s an introduction illustrating the relevance of the location. The guides take participants through a chronological journey, helping them better understand the building’s history and context. This is followed by a look at grand opulence, government red-lining, social oppressions, and the building’s resilient nature through complex economic times.

It ends off with drinks, pizza and shebeen-style snacks on the 51st floor.

Dlala Nje was founded in October 2012 and aims to challenge perceptions and to create opportunities. They do this by running inner-city immersions and experiences in some of the city’s most misunderstood areas. These immersions and walks have allowed them to build and run a community centre aimed at providing a safe learning environment for children and youth.