Cyrildene () is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. The area is found east of the Johannesburg CBD and is surrounded by the suburbs of Linksfield, Observatory and Bruma.
In the early-mid twentieth century it drew in Jewish families from Central Johannesburg, by 1971, Jews made up 63% of the resident population. Most Jewish residents have since relocated to more affluent areas of Johannesburg or emigrated abroad.
During the apartheid era, it was classed as a "whites only" area under the terms of the Group Areas Act. Since the repeal of the Act in 1991, the resident-mix has become more cosmopolitan, with a large Chinese population.
It is noted for a new Chinatown that exists on Derrick Avenue. This new Chinatown is now considered as the main Chinatown in Johannesburg, replacing the declining Chinatown on Commissioner Street in the inner-city of Johannesburg. It is located in Region F of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality.
History The suburb is situated on part of an old Witwatersrand farm called Doornfontein. It would be proclaimed as suburb on 18 May 1938 and was named after the land developer's son, Cyril Cooper.
Jewish community In 1942, a Jewish congregation, Cyrildene - Observatory Extension Hebrew Congregation, was established, as the area was attracting a growing number of Jewish families from the central areas of the city.Cyrildene JewishGen Kehila Links. Retrieved on 13 June 2026 Prior to constructing a permanent home, services were held at private homes, a shop, Cyrildene Garage, with High Holiday services held at a marquee. Services and Talmud Torah classes were also held at the site of the present Athlone Girls High School in Observatory.
In 1950, the congregation build a communal hall and classrooms on Aida Avenue in Cyrildene. In 1965, the hall was converted into a permanent synagogue, and it was consecrated by Rabbi Bernard M. Casper. Several prominent members of the Jewish community have been involved with the congregation, including Solly Krok, furniture retailer, Eric Ellerine and Melbourne-based Rabbi Ralph Genende, Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).Goldman, Yossy (13 February 2025). Solly Krok – the man who made charity cool South African Jewish Report. Retrieved on 14 June 2026.Krost, Peta (7 December 2023). End of an era, as quintessential businessman passes on South African Jewish Report. Retrieved on 14 February 2026.(8 December 2022). Living the right way up in an upside down world South African Jewish Report. Retrieved on 14 June 2026.
Cyrildene was also home to a Jewish sporting club. A factor in the establishment of Jewish sporting clubs was antisemitism, with Jews barred from being admitted to several clubs in the city at the time.Kamionsky, Saul (14 September 2023). Soccer legend’s passing sparks ‘guilded’ memories South African Jewish Report. Retrieved on 14 June 2026.
In his seventeen-month period underground between 1961 and 1962, Nelson Mandela spent some of this time at a "safe house" in Cyrildene, the home of Jewish couple, Cyril and Raie Jones.Saks, David (13 July 2017). Nelson Mandela and his relationship with SA Jews South African Jewish Report. Retrieved on 14 June 2026.
In 1971, Jews made up 63% of the resident population. During the 1990s, Jewish residents increasingly moved to more prosperous areas of Johannesburg or emigrated overseas.(26 May 2014). Made in Cyrildene Visi. Retrieved on 2 June 2026.
Chinese community
In 1991, Cyrildene was subject to the Abolition of Racially Based Land Measures Act, 1991. This abolished the Group Areas Act, in place since the 1950s, and classes Cyrildene as a "whites only" area.
Unlike the old and now largely abandoned Chinatown in Newtown, which was largely made up of second or third generation South African Chinese, the new inhabitants of the Chinatown in Cyrildene are overwhelmingly first generation Chinese immigrants from mainland China. The Chinatown has a paifang (arch).
Notable residents L Ron Hubbard, lived in Cyrildene in the 1960s for a few months. The house is now used as a museum. It is also used as a recruitment centre of the Church of Scientology. The house, at 40 Hannaben Street, was built in 1951 for the a Greek timber merchant called Manos Broulidakis and was designed by Frank Ludwig Jarrett.
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