Nature of project: In 1908, Hermann Kallenbach, a Jewish architect originally from Lithuania, designed and built a home in Oaklands, then on the outskirts of Johannesburg. This house, which he named ‘The Kraal,’ was to become the place where Mahatma Gandhi lived with Kallenbach from 1908 -1910. It was here, that Gandhi forged his ideals around non violence and became deeply involved in the “Satyagraha” or passive resistance movement to fight against discrimination of the Indian community in South Africa. Kallenbach made available another piece of land, Tolstoy farm, which became the home for supporters of the Satyagraha movement. Gandhi left South Africa in 1914 and Kallenbach sold the house which has been lived in over the years by a number of families.

In 2009, a dynamic French travel company, Voyageurs du Monde, bought the house. They plan to turn the house into a unique destination that is both a guest house and an indoor and outdoor exhibition centre. They have appointed Trace to bring the history of the house to life and to tell the story of how Gandhi, along with Kallenbach and his other friends in Johannesburg, came to inspire the world with his values and actions.

The exhibit will demonstrate how Gandhi’s central philosophy of Satyagraha was firmly rooted in the South African context and was influenced by the relationships that Gandhi was immersed in SA at the turn of the century.

A meditation garden will be created where visitors can reflect on the ideals that were espoused.

Visitors staying in or visiting the Satyagraha Guest House, will experience Gandhi’s principles of life and learn more about the relationships that facilitated the development of these principles.

Key responsibilities:
Concept development
Research
Exhibition and graphic design
Garden Design
Production management
Installation

trace personnel involved:
Clive van den Berg – Curator and Designer
Lauren Segal – Curator and Script writing
Jenna Burchell – Research and Design
Jackie Downs – Research and Production