Fietas Museum, Johannesburg

Established in 1894 to the west of central Johannesburg, Fietas (today known as Pageview) was once the city’s "Malay location" and home to a large Indian community. In the first half of the 20th century Fietas was famous for its bustling main street, 14th Street, which was one of the most popular places in the city to shop for bargains, drawing shoppers from all racial and economic backgrounds. In the 1970s the apartheid government began the demolition of Fietas as part of its policy of forced removals and ethnic segregation, know as the Group Areas Act. The once-bustling market street fell silent as its traders were forced to move to distant townships. The small Fietas Museum is located in one of the few surviving original buildings and on display is an exhibition of images of the area before, during and after its destruction, donated by internationally acclaimed photographers David Goldblatt and Paul Weinberg. In addition, a small community-sourced exhibition of personal testimonies and family photographs from former residents bring the sad tale of Fietas to life. Walking tours of the area are available by prior arrangement and a visit can be combined with a trip to the nearby Sophiatown Heritage and Cultural Centre. Hours: Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2pm; Closed on Fridays. Tours operate daily by arrangement. Customized tours outside normal opening hours are also available by appointment. Walking tours need to be booked 24 hours in advance.