Welcome to the neighbourhood
On behalf of the residents of Orange Grove West and Victoria we wish you a warm welcome into our community. VOGWRA is our active community residents association. Our aim is to build a strong united community.
A strong community creates a safer inclusive environment which benefits all stakeholders. For this reason we welcome your support and participation in all of our activities and events. Please contact us should you wish to become actively involved.
A strong community creates a safer inclusive environment which benefits all stakeholders. For this reason we welcome your support and participation in all of our activities and events. Please contact us should you wish to become actively involved.
VOGWRA
All of the initiatives that happen within VOGWRA are reliant on community participation. So we encourage you to get involved with our garden club, the library and the committee, We want to be a community that is integrated into our society and embraces the challenges our society faces.
Keep in touch with us to find out what 1014 holds for us. The BRT construction should start in 2014 and while we believe that this is ultimately a positive development, there are going to be short term challenges. We will keep you informed as we hear of new developments, public meetings and dates.
Keep in touch with us to find out what 1014 holds for us. The BRT construction should start in 2014 and while we believe that this is ultimately a positive development, there are going to be short term challenges. We will keep you informed as we hear of new developments, public meetings and dates.
A brief history
The suburb was informally and fondly known as Little Italy during the 60's, 70's and 80's. This was in part because the majority of residents in Orange Grove were primarily Italians which had immigrated from Italy in search of work during the early 1950s. Portuguese, Jewish and Afrikaans cultures were also present albeit in smaller concentrations. Despite the fact that Orange Grove was colloquially known as 'Little Italy', the mixture of these cultures provided a truly cosmopolitan, European, feel on its main thoroughfare, Louis Botha Avenue, during any day of the week.
Louis Botha Avenue, initially served as the only single, direct road between the Johannesburg CBD and Pretoria. It was principally the 'High Street' for Orange Grove. Louis Botha was also a direct link to Alexandra Township, where a large part of the work force which found employ in Orange Grove and surrounding suburbs, resided.
The surrounding suburbs are (clockwise from the north) Maryvale, Sydenham, Doornfontein 92 IR, Linksfield, Fairwood, Mountain View,Houghton Estate, Fellside, Victoria, Norwood and Orchards. There is a strong sense of community between Orange Grove and its surrounding areas. Most of the residents were blue collar citizens. A popular place for children of the area to meet was Patterson Park, in front of the Norwood Police Flats.
Louis Botha Avenue, initially served as the only single, direct road between the Johannesburg CBD and Pretoria. It was principally the 'High Street' for Orange Grove. Louis Botha was also a direct link to Alexandra Township, where a large part of the work force which found employ in Orange Grove and surrounding suburbs, resided.
The surrounding suburbs are (clockwise from the north) Maryvale, Sydenham, Doornfontein 92 IR, Linksfield, Fairwood, Mountain View,Houghton Estate, Fellside, Victoria, Norwood and Orchards. There is a strong sense of community between Orange Grove and its surrounding areas. Most of the residents were blue collar citizens. A popular place for children of the area to meet was Patterson Park, in front of the Norwood Police Flats.