Winnie Mandela Drive, Johannesburg

The road was named after William Nicol, the Administrator of the Transvaal, at the time of construction. It was changed in 2024 to the: 'Winnie Mandela Drive' and the new signage was installed early in that year.
'S.A. Townships' (the company that developed Bryanston), realised at an early date that the main access to the township, namely via Jan Smuts Avenue and Ferndale, using: 'William Nicol Drive', would not be adequate to service Bryanston, once it became fully developed.

In 1947, representations were made to the Provincial Roads Department to establish a more direct route. Matters proceeded very slowly, particularly as the Department was suspicious of private enterprise in such matters. The Company enlisted the support of the Bryanston Vigilance Association soon, after its formation. Many snags and difficulties were encountered in choosing the route and in order to facilitate the establishment of what became the Bryanston highway or 'William Nicol Drive'.

'S.A. Townships' purchased back, certain undeveloped land. They were consolidated into open land of 12 thousand square meters. The site was laid out as the new road would run through the old one. This made provision for the new road allowed a new school, to be erected. 'Fourways High School', which was opened in 1988.

An enlargement of the municipal stand upon which the Bryanston Sports Club is now situated with the Library, and the redevelopment of the remaining portion into one-acre stands was the result. Provision was made for the road, which was transferred to the Province without cost.

An associated company, which was the township owner of Hurlingham, donated a stand to facilitate the establishment of the road through Hurlingham. Hurlingham is a suburb, in the heart of Sandton, Hurlingham sits basking in its association with what has become one of Johannesburg's most familiar and upmarket areas - Sandton is a city on its own and city's most illustrious corporate address' but it is also a vibey hive of activity, its shopping malls and sidewalk cafés, excellent restaurants. Nelson Mandela Square is a popular meeting place and the heart of Sandton's shopping complexes.

Two results followed the establishment of this road- 1. was that the existing road system which had been designed with the main entrance to the township through Ferndale had to be re-orientated, 2. was that the time taken to get to Rosebank was reduced by some ten minutes for people living in the vicinity of the Post Office and beyond, while for the people living in the southern portion of Bryanston, there was a much more direct and quicker route to Rosebank.

WITH THANKS- THE HERITAGE PORTAL and Bill Hedding