06-07-2025
2Summers takes us on a tour of Brixton
Let's take a trip around Brixton, shall we? Through the eyes of someone whose own personal experience of this vibrant community, helps navigate this trip to spaces that are now pieces of her heart. Heather Mason, an American who left Washington DC for Johannesburg in August 2010.
Read more: Brixton opens Putney Road to the community
In that year, she experienced two summers, which lent itself to her calling her, now very popular blog, 2Summers. Through it, she allows others to see what enchanted her most about this city: Its people, food, culture, and art.
2Summers recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, and Mason grabbed at the opportunity to celebrate, as, due to Covid-19, she didn't get to celebrate her 10th anniversary. 'Today we're just going to do a walking tour around Brixton,' she said, together with her partner Thorsten Deckler, who led about 20 people through Brixton.
First on the tour was Frayznix Vintage Rack, a clothing store that sells thrift clothes and has managed to keep its old Victorian-style building. Next, they stopped at local mosaic artist, Bronwen Findlay's art space, to see what art her and her team were currently working on. They also visited one of the community's oldest homes, found along Fulham Road. Its owner has a chicken coop, and they support him through buying the eggs his chickens lay.
Another stop was at Dennis Dlomo's fitness club. 'Thorsten and I train with Dennis in the morning at Kingston Frost Park,' Mason told the tour group. Proceeds from ticket sales for the tour went towards buying new equipment for the club.
Mason first lived in Melville for 11 years, before finding a certain kind of intimate quality in Brixton she had not experienced anywhere else. 'It has smaller houses, which are closer to the street. There's always activity on the street, which makes it's easier for you to walk out and greet people, and there's also a lot of creatives. I'm part of that creative community, so it makes it easy to relate to people.'
She says her identity is tied to Johannesburg, and in that, more so to Brixton.
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