The neighbourhood of Melville is notorious for its ups and downs. Yet, for many Joburgers it's a place that calls to mind riotous stories and colourful memories. For Aubrey Moloto, Melville epitomises Joburg's resilience, powered by a community that deeply cares for its neighbourhood. Curious to know more? Join his tour Melville Unlocked – The Voices of Our Village as part of the 2025 edition of Jozi My Jozi Walks on Sat, Sep 27. Book here. 

Aubrey Moloto is a photographer, videographer, and writer passionate about capturing the essence of urban culture and community. And, in his own words, he's "utterly smitten by the Melville magic" – the place he gladly calls home. All of these forces collide in his platform Snaps on Seventh. Since its launch in 2022, he's partnered with artists, local businesses, and major brands, while also creating community-driven projects such as Melville Untold (one of our favourite weekly newsletters) and the Melville Pocket Companion, a curated guide for visitors.

Moloto's tour of Melville is one of the 15 community-led walking tours that were selected to be part of Jozi My Jozi Walks in 2025 – an initiative led by Jozi My Jozi in collaboration with Johannesburg In Your Pocket and Gauteng Tourism. “Being chosen for Jozi My Jozi Walks has been a much deeper experience than I expected," Moloto shares with us. "We (the walkers chosen) connected instantly, bonded by the realisation that we are not alone. We've been living parallel lives, nurtured by our environments, which have fostered a deep connection for each of our own slices of Jozi.”

If you’d like to hear more from Moloto and discover why Melville makes his heart tick, join his tour Melville Unlocked – The Voices of Our Village on Sat, Sep 27. Book your tickets here. 

Ahead of this, Moloto shares some thoughts on the joys of walking, Melville's golden era, and being raised by the community. Over to him. 

Walking as a way of life

“I’ve always been a walker. I’ve walked everywhere! Not always by choice, but necessity,” says Moloto. “Catch a taxi to Bree or MTN, and from there, Jozi is your oyster.” This instinct to move through the city on foot shaped much of Moloto’s story, and it’s why the ethos of Jozi Walks resonated so deeply with him. “Dr. Myer Taub (of the Braamfontein Jozi My Jozi Walks tour) spoke profoundly about walking as a way of life, as a science he studies. For the first time, someone articulated what I’ve always felt – that walking is about far more than getting from A to B. Each walk has a purpose.”

Growing up in Melville’s golden era

Moloto’s connection to Melville runs deep. His earliest memories are stitched with the spirit of the Melville strip and stories of its legendary nightlife. “My siblings worked and played there during Melville’s golden era,” he recalls. “I’d hear epic tales of nights at Baseline, Roxy’s, Cat’s Pyjamas, and especially Ratz, where they worked. I met eccentric creatives who would go on to become famous, and Bohemian types who’d wake up in my home after long nights. I was the kid bringing them coffee, water, and aspirin.” Too young to enter the clubs, he absorbed the magic from the pavements. “I remember seeing cars parked in long lines stretching from 4th Avenue and Main Road for Roxy’s and Cool Runnings. I knew it was something special, and I felt lucky just to be there.

Raised by the community

Like many children in Melville, Moloto was “raised by the community.” Friendships formed in the street, bike rides on the koppies, and games on the UJ grounds shaped his childhood. Walking became the rhythm of daily life. “After school, I’d walk to 7th Street, get a free ice-cream scoop at Buzz9, and hang out with the staff,” he says. Even then, Moloto’s routes carried layered meaning. Some were about efficiency, others about curiosity. “I had scenic routes where I’d dream about living in the beautiful houses, or mysterious ones like passing by Die Pienk Kerk and imagining its story. Some routes were chosen to see friends, others to walk past the prettiest girls from school. And some were about safety, avoiding aggressive dogs or dodgy corners at the wrong time.”

 “Walking connects memory, community, and imagination. It’s how I’ve always engaged with Melville.” – Aubrey Moloto

Jozi My Jozi and the revival of Jozi Walks

The rebirth of Jozi Walks as Jozi My Jozi Walks is closely tied to the broader ambitions of Jozi My Jozi, a grassroots movement determined to reimagine Johannesburg as a safer, more connected, and ultimately walkable city. Launched on Mandela Day two years ago by Robbie Brozin (Nando’s co-founder) and Adam Craker of IQ Business, Jozi My Jozi set out with a bold message: If Joburg fails, South Africa fails. Since then, the movement has worked across safety, social development, education, commercial revitalisation, and tourism, rallying partners to breathe new life into the inner city.

Walking quickly became central to that vision. First inspired by urban planner Douglas Cohen and his idea to create Joburg’s version of “Jane’s Walks”, the programme originally thrived under the Johannesburg Development Agency before being paused during the pandemic. Post-Covid, it was clear the walks had untapped potential – not just as cultural experiences, but as tools for urban tourism and community feedback, allowing residents to informally share what was and wasn't working in their neighbourhoods.

That’s when Jozi My Jozi stepped in. Together with Johannesburg In Your Pocket and the Gauteng Tourism Authority, the initiative revived Jozi My Jozi Walks as a flagship project. More than just tours, these walks are about reclaiming the city’s stories, building pride of place, and making Johannesburg a city people want to explore on foot again.

Melville Unlocked – Voices of Our Village

On Sat, Sep 27, Moloto leads Melville Unlocked – Voices of Our Village as part of the Jozi My Jozi Walks weekend. His walk weaves personal memory with the stories of community voices shaping Melville today. Highlights include: 

“It’s about giving people an unfiltered, raw experience of our hood. Melville is not just where I’m from – it’s who I am.” – Aubrey Moloto