Satyagraha House, Johannesburg

All you need to know

Nestled under its thatch roof and encased in its customary white exterior, this petite home constructed in 1907 in the Orchards district, on Johannesburg’s periphery, holds a remarkable tale of two individuals.

Firstly, Hermann Kallenbach, a German-origin Jewish architect, who drew inspiration from the Kraal – the African farmstead, to construct this dwelling characterised by two rondavels, round rooms mirroring indigenous huts.

His meeting with a gifted Indian attorney, Mohandas Gandhi a few years prior proved transformational for the location. The future Mahatma, who had an early concern for social justice was accommodated in 1908 by his friend at this place.

He would spend over two decades in South Africa. Amidst the abundant greenery of the garden and nearby areas (the district was very rustic back then) and in the tranquil loft, it was here that Gandhi devised the principles of Satyagraha – ‘The Force of Truth’ in Sanskrit over a span of a year.

Over the years, Kallenbach’s residence will change hands multiple times and undergo numerous renovations. In 2009, Voyageurs du Monde took ownership with the intention of reviving its original essence. By the fall of 2010, Satyagraha House, now a nationally recognized heritage site and a museum-guest house, welcomed the public.

Each room is furnished with a private washroom that includes a shower and bathrobes. Certain accommodations at the guest house also offer a sitting area.

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