Dr Xuma house, Historic residence in Sophiatown, South Africa.
Dr Xuma house is a two-story red brick residence in Sophiatown featuring curved bay windows, an arched entrance supported by plain columns, and a corrugated metal roof. The structure reflects early 20th-century suburban architecture adapted to local building practices.
The house was built in 1934 as the residence of Dr Alfred Bitini Xuma, who led the African National Congress as President General from 1940 to 1949. It survived the systematic destruction of Sophiatown during forced removals ordered by the apartheid government in the 1950s.
The house served as both a healing space and a center for resistance to racial injustice. Visitors can see the rooms where medical care was provided alongside organizing efforts for equality and dignity.
The building is located on Toby Street in Sophiatown and now operates as the Sophiatown Heritage and Cultural Centre. Visitors can explore the interior and surrounding area throughout the year to learn about the neighborhood's past.
This residence is one of only two buildings in the neighborhood that remained standing after the forced removals, making it an exceptionally rare survivor. Its existence today serves as a powerful reminder of community resilience against state-ordered destruction.
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