We recently took our Roaming Office to Satyagraha House (February 2024), a day where the Johannesburg In Your Pocket team works from a hotel workspace. We get the opportunity to connect with hospitality partners and explore hotel properties. Discover more about our Roaming Office adventures here.
Between 1908 and 1909, Mahatma Gandhi lived in Satyagraha House, in Orchards, Johannesburg, with his friend Hermann Kallenbach, a German-Jewish architect. After Gandhi and Kallenbach left the house in 1909, ownership changed several times. It was eventually bought by a French travel company, Voyageurs du Monde, in 2009. Today, Satyagraha House is a heritage site, museum, and guesthouse where visitors can learn about Gandhi's principles and enjoy a peaceful and reflective experience.
Where we worked
Our office for the day was the spacious dining room with wide doors that open up to the greenery outside. The dining table was converted into a communal workspace adorned with laptops, water bottles, and cups of coffee that were kept flowing. Work was much easier with solar panels on site, so we were not affected by load-shedding. Such convenience!
Culinary offerings
As part of the establishment's heritage and values, no alcohol is served and all meals are vegetarian. Satyagraha House has its own vegetable garden, meaning much of the produce on your plate is fresh, and an emphasis is placed on homemade food and drinks.
During our mid-morning coffee break, we snacked on tea, coffee, and rustic sandwiches loaded with cheese and tomato, and an egg mayo filling. We still talk about the homemade bread that made these sandwiches spectacular.
For lunch, we took in some fresh air and took the time to dine al fresco on the patio, where we were served a delicious three-course vegetarian meal. Freshly made apple and ginger juice served as a palate cleanser. Our lunch began with a fresh green salad dressed in balsamic vinegar. A flavourful vegetarian lasagna followed, and for dessert, malva pudding with homemade custard; again, just too divine.
Museum
After lunch, we took an informative tour of the museum with the general manager, Edna Oberholzer, learning more about Gandhi, Kallenbach, and the city of Johannesburg in the early 20th century. Photos, maps, timelines, letters, journals, and correspondence from Gandhi and Kallenbach's time at Satyagraha House help further tell the story of this heritage site. Additionally, there were French translations provided, which was an ode to the directors of the Satyagraha House and the many French guests who visit.
Where to rest your head
There are several rooms in the historic house dedicated to important people in Gandhi's life. The first room is dedicated to Reverend Doke, a close friend, and Gandhi's second son, Manilal Gandhi, who was involved in his father's movement. This room is the smallest. The second room is named after three of Gandhi's friends: Thambi Naidoo, Henri Polak, and Sonja Schlesin. The third room, Kasturba Gandhi, is the largest room in the house. It is located in an extension from the 1920s and was named after Gandhi's faithful wife. Finally, there is the Kallenbach Cottage, which was added to the house in 1920. It includes two double bedrooms connected by a small living room and an old fireplace.
Other services
The tranquillity at Satyagraha House is not only felt in the space and values that govern it but also in the additional services provided. They have partnered with Africology to offer wellness spa treatments, including massages, meditation sessions, and yoga (unfortunately, we didn't have time to try these – we were working after all).
Satyagraha House serves as a quiet sanctuary in Joburg with space to learn, work, reflect, and relax in peace, making it a favoured destination for individuals looking to escape stress just beyond the walls, families wanting to spend time together, and even writers and artists seeking to take up residency.
It is also a short drive from the Rosebank Gautrain station. See our guide to the Gautrain here and download the Gautrain app for real-time updates on when the next Gautrain and Gautrain midi-bus is due. Visit www.gautrain.co.za for more information on the timetable and fares. #YourGautrainJourneyStartsHere
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