One wouldn’t normally associate peace and quiet with Louis Botha Avenue. In Johannesburg’s early days, it was the unpaved main road between the city and Pretoria.
In 1908, Mahatma Gandhi spent a year living less then a block away from this unmemorable traffic artery in a bungalow that just over 100 years later has been transformed into a fascinating guest house and superb museum.
Satyagraha House is a fitting tribute to a man that spent 21 years of his life in South Africa and changed the world through his thinking and actions. It’s a little Eden. A break from the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg.
According to Gandhi, happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Every time I visit Satyagraha House, I leave feeling happy. The museum is open to the public and if you call ahead, you can organise freshly baked scones (there is also a vegan option) and coffee at a reasonable price while taking in the tranquillity of Gandhi’s former residence.
It’s a great way to spend a few hours or to enjoy an urban weekend retreat. The following photos will give you an idea of what to expect. I didn’t get a chance to take photos of the guest rooms.
- Inside the main house
- Main entrance from the road
- Chilling in the garden
- It’s tea time! The coffee is delicious. As are the home made scones
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