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Yes. Dobsonville is a suburb of Soweto in the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng. Most people call it a township, and both words are used for the same place. In Census 2011 it is a “sub place” within Soweto, and the City of Johannesburg lists its clinics and library under Region D (Greater Soweto). Dobsonville was run by the Roodepoort Municipality until 1994, when it was merged with Soweto.
This page gives you a short overview of Dobsonville: where it is, what it is made up of, its landmarks, homes, schools, shops, transport and public services. For the story of how the township was formed, read Background Information About Dobsonville.
What it is: a township suburb of Soweto, City of Johannesburg, Gauteng
Municipal region: Region D (Greater Soweto). Regions use letters, not numbers
Size (Census 2011, Dobsonville sub place): 40,328 people and 11,852 households on 2.73 km²
Postal codes: 1863 (street) and 1865 (PO Box)
Main road: Elias Motsoaledi Road (M77)
Explore: Shopping in Dobsonville, Dobsonville Property or Where Is Dobsonville Located
Checked: 13 September 2026
Location & Boundaries
Dobsonville is in western Soweto. Wikipedia describes it as lying west of Meadowlands, with Mofolo North and Zondi along its southern border. Roodepoort lies beyond it to the north-west, which is why the area was linked to Roodepoort for so long.
A township or a suburb?
Both. “Township” describes Dobsonville’s history as an area set aside for black residents under apartheid. “Suburb” is how councils, the post office and property sites file it today: a named residential area inside Soweto, which is itself part of the City of Johannesburg.
Extensions and named sections
Census 2011 splits the wider area into several sub places, each with its own count:
| Census 2011 sub place | Population | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Dobsonville | 40,328 | 2.73 km² |
| Dobsonville Ext 1 | 635 | 0.06 km² |
| Dobsonville Ext 2 | 7,229 | 0.99 km² |
| Dobsonville Ext 3 | 11,918 | 1.61 km² |
| Dobsonville Ext 4 | 1,855 | 0.29 km² |
| Dobsonville Ext 5 & 7 | 1,573 | 0.17 km² |
| Dobsonville Gardens | 4,525 | 0.74 km² |
These are 2011 figures and the area has grown since. Nearby places such as Mmesi Park, Snake Park and Braamfischerville are often grouped with Dobsonville. See Areas in Dobsonville for each one.
Wards and region
Dobsonville falls under the City of Johannesburg’s Region D. It is split across more than one ward, and ward boundaries are redrawn before local elections, so check your address on the Dobsonville Ward Number guide before you contact a councillor.
Dobsonville street names
Many streets carry the names of people and places. Street names you will see on official addresses include:
- Elias Motsoaledi Road, the M77 main road (Dobsonville Mall and SAPS Dobsonville are on it)
- Christian Dube Street, at the corner of Dobsonville Mall
- Montlahla and Majova Street, the City’s address for Dobsonville Stadium
- Luthuli Street, home of the library at the People’s Centre
- Nonhlanhla Street, where the City lists the municipal swimming pool
- Van Onselen Road, the SWGC Dobsonville Campus
- Sejoe Street in Ext 2, the address of Nokuphila Clinic
- Dobson Drive and Mojahanah Road, the corner of Dobson Point Shopping Centre
Key Landmarks
- Dobsonville Stadium: built in 1975 and renovated in 2009, it still hosts Premiership football. Kaizer Chiefs beat Siwelele 3-2 there on 6 September 2026.
- Dobsonville Mall: the mall describes itself as the first township centre built in Soweto.
- Dobsonville Swimming Pool: a City of Johannesburg public pool.
- Dobsonville Library and Kopanong Hall: public library and community hall.
- Dobsonville Cemetery and Dorothy Nyembe Park.
Browse more in Places in Dobsonville.
Property Overview
Most homes are freestanding family houses on their own stands, many with outside rooms or flatlets added over the years. Houses are bought and rented through property portals, estate agents and private owners, and there are also rented rooms and some flats. Prices and listings change weekly, so compare current adverts in Dobsonville Property before you decide.
If you want to spend a few nights in the area first, see Accommodation in Dobsonville for guest houses and B&Bs.
Schools
Dobsonville has several public primary and high schools, early childhood centres and a TVET college campus. Schools named in recent local reporting or official listings include Thathezakho Primary School, Jose Senyamo Primary School, Margaret Gwele Primary School and Hector Peterson Primary School, which was built in memory of Hector Pieterson. For individual school guides, go to Dobsonville Schools.
For post-school study, SWGC Dobsonville Campus of South West Gauteng TVET College is at 5604 Van Onselen Road.
Shopping & Services
There are two main shopping centres. Dobsonville Mall at 75 Elias Motsoaledi Road has more than 70 stores, with Pick n Pay, Shoprite and Boxer among its anchors, plus banks and fast-food outlets. Dobson Point Shopping Centre, on the corner of Dobson Drive and Mojahanah Road, is a smaller community centre anchored by Pick n Pay. Small neighbourhood shops, spaza shops and kota spots trade across the extensions.
Start with Shopping in Dobsonville, then see Food & Restaurants in Dobsonville, Banks in Dobsonville and Services in Dobsonville.
Transport
Minibus taxis, Putco buses and Rea Vaya buses serve Dobsonville. Putco runs a Soweto depot in the area, and Dobsonville Mall has a taxi rank on site. Elias Motsoaledi Road (M77) links Dobsonville to Roodepoort in one direction and to the rest of Soweto in the other. Dobsonville has no train station of its own. For routes, fares and contacts, see Transport in Dobsonville.
Healthcare & Public Services
| Service | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Itireleng Clinic | 5 Elias Motsoaledi Road (listed by the City as 5 Roodepoort Road) | 011 988 3101 |
| Nokuphila Clinic | 8 405 Sejoe Street, Dobsonville Ext 2 | 011 988 7924 |
| Dobsonville Police Station | 01 Elias Motsoaledi Road | 011 983 1500 |
| Dobsonville Library | People’s Centre, 2332 Luthuli Street | 011 988 9249 |
Numbers were checked against City of Johannesburg and SAPS listings. Call before you visit, as hours can change. For emergencies, dial 10111 (police) or 10177 (ambulance). More in Healthcare in Dobsonville and Public Services in Dobsonville.
Related Area Guides
- Where Is Dobsonville Located: maps, directions and how to get there.
- Background Information About Dobsonville: the removals from Roodepoort’s old location between 1955 and 1967, and how the township grew.
- Dobsonville Postal Code and Dobsonville Area Code.
- Areas in Dobsonville: extensions and nearby sections.
- Dobsonville Municipality: City of Johannesburg contacts.