Trevor Huddleston CR Memorial Centre, Corner of Good & Herman Streets, Sophiatown, Johannesburg . Post: PO Box 468, Westhoven 2142.  

Email: thmcentre@mweb.co.za   Tel: +27 (0) 11673 1271   Fax: +27 (0) 11 477 3490

Registered section 21 not-for-profit association no 2000/006377/08

The Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre. NPO no 020 393

Patrons: Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Mr Abdul Minty, Lord Attenborough

The Trevor Huddleston CR Memorial Centre Sophiatown

Sophiatown was an exception, a one-off, a loophole.   In the 1920s and 1930s it was the one place in Johannesbug where people of any race could rent a place, build a shack, own a freehold, start a business. And it flourished. Because it was free and multiracial, it made its own unique style and culture. Musicians, writers and artists rubbed shoulders with entrepreneurs, lawyers, activists, gangsters and teachers. The young Mandela had many clients there. Hugh Masekela got his first trumpet there – a gift from Father Trevor Huddleston.  Huddleston was passionate about education, and he taught, with Oliver Tambo, children from the largest primary school in South Africa, St Cyprian’s Sophiatown.  

The old Sophiatown was an exceptional place because of the freedom, respect, open-mindedness, creativity and opportunity that it represented. As the buildings were destroyed in 1955 the Freedom Charter was adopted and Huddleston was awarded the very first ‘Isitwandalwe’ Medal, with Chief Albert Luthuli and Yusef Dadoo.

NEW CULTURAL CENTRE FOR  SOPHIATOWN

The Huddleston Centre is hosting community consultations to hear ideas and comments on the proposed new spaces for Sophiatown residents, past and present, as well as neighbouring communities.  To participate see the Sophiatown Community website for dates or call the heritage team: 011 673 1271

HuddlestonCentre board and staff mourn the passing of Judge Fikile Bam in December 2011.

Fikile helped establish the Centre's vision and direction upon its formal registration, along with Sally Motlana and Isaac Meletse, at the invitation of Archbishop Thabo Makgoba in 2000. Thanks to him the Centre has established itself as a catalyst for developing youth from across all communities, reviving the multiracial spirit of Sophiatown and continuing the legacy of Huddleston in youth education. Opening the Sophiatown Heritage Centre, in the former home of A B Xuma, was a highlight of Fikile's directorship at the point of the Centre's 10th anniversary in 2010. In June 2011 he launched the Huddleston Gateway Initiative, offering business, IT and entrepreneurial training for youth who had not acheived their full potential at school.

He will be deeply missed by us all.

Board members: Isaac Meletse, Chair ; Sally Motlana,Colleen du Toit, Bob Mabena, Karabo Koleng, Rev Godfrey Henwood, Bon Chandiyamba, Tumelo Nkoane, Tricia Sibbons.

See our news page for more information

Welcome

The Trevor Huddleston Centre’s aim is to act as a catalyst for solutions to societal challenges through supporting people to learn, take action, evaluate and achieve their goals for life, while linking to, and serving, the wider community.   

Our training priorities focus on technology based programmes for the benefit of young people who want to make a difference, but who are not yet able to access skills training or other tertiary education.   We combine this with a value system and proven framework for experiential learning, action and reflection including the arts and creative processes such as drama and oral history.  

The Huddleston Gateway Initiative

Corporate partners, philanthropic funders and individuals are invited to get involved

Go to our Pledge page to get involved; or click on the icon below to print the Gateway pledge card