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Dobsonville is located in western Soweto, in the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng. It lies west of Meadowlands, with Mofolo North and Zondi on its southern side, and Roodepoort beyond it to the north-west. So yes, Dobsonville is in Soweto: it falls under the City of Johannesburg’s Region D (Greater Soweto), and its street postal code is 1863.
The main road through the area is Elias Motsoaledi Road (M77). If you are driving, set your map app to a specific address in Dobsonville, such as the mall or the stadium, rather than just the suburb name, so you arrive at the right spot.
Where: western Soweto, City of Johannesburg, Gauteng
Map coordinates (Wikipedia): 26°13′26″S 27°51′49″E
Main road: Elias Motsoaledi Road (M77), between Soweto and Roodepoort
Postal code: 1863 (street), 1865 (PO Box)
Next step: Shopping in Dobsonville or Transport in Dobsonville
Checked: 13 September 2026
Where Is Dobsonville Located: Quick Answer
Dobsonville is a suburb (township) of Soweto on the western edge of Johannesburg. It is not a separate town. Until 1994 it was administered by the Roodepoort Municipality, which is why some older documents and maps still link it to Roodepoort. Today it is part of Soweto under the City of Johannesburg.
Key Facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Province | Gauteng |
| Metro | City of Johannesburg |
| Wider area | Soweto (western side) |
| City region | Region D (Greater Soweto) |
| Neighbouring areas | Meadowlands to the east; Mofolo North and Zondi to the south |
| Main road | Elias Motsoaledi Road (M77) |
| Street postal code | 1863 |
| Area of Dobsonville sub place (Census 2011) | 2.73 km² |
How It Works / What It Means
Soweto is not one suburb but a large group of townships, and Dobsonville is one of them. Addresses usually read: house number and street, Dobsonville (or the extension, such as Dobsonville Ext 3), Soweto, 1863. The wider Dobsonville area includes numbered extensions and named sections such as Dobsonville Gardens. See Areas in Dobsonville for the differences, and Is Dobsonville A Suburb for a full overview.
Dobsonville map
For a map, search “Dobsonville, Soweto” in Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze, or paste the coordinates above. A map with a scale bar is available in most map apps when you zoom in. For boundaries used in census data, Census 2011 profile sites show the Dobsonville sub place outline. Map apps sometimes show different street names or place pins, so check against the official address you were given.
Dobsonville directions
- By car from Roodepoort: Elias Motsoaledi Road (M77) runs from the R41 (Main Reef Road) in Roodepoort through Dobsonville towards Moroka in Soweto.
- By car from elsewhere in Soweto: head for Elias Motsoaledi Road and follow it through Jabavu into Dobsonville.
- By bus: Putco runs Soweto routes from its Dobsonville depot, and Rea Vaya serves the area. Check the operator’s route finder before you travel. See PUTCO Dobsonville.
- By taxi: minibus taxis link Dobsonville with Roodepoort, other parts of Soweto and Johannesburg. Dobsonville Mall has a taxi rank on site. See Dobsonville Taxi Rank.
- By train: there is no station in Dobsonville, so train trips start with a taxi or bus ride.
For a route to Roodepoort, see Dobsonville to Roodepoort.
Local Examples
These are the official addresses of places people most often look for:
| Place | Address | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Dobsonville Mall | 75 Elias Motsoaledi Road, Mmesi Park, Soweto (corner Christian Dube Street) | Dobsonville Mall |
| Dobsonville Stadium | Cnr Montlahla and Majova Street, Dobsonville, 1863 (City of Johannesburg) | Dobsonville Stadium |
| SWGC Dobsonville Campus | 5604 Van Onselen Road, Dobsonville, 1863 | SWGC Dobsonville Campus |
| SAPS Dobsonville | 01 Elias Motsoaledi Road, Dobsonville, 1863 | Dobsonville Police Station |
| Dobsonville Library | People’s Centre, 2332 Luthuli Street | Dobsonville Library |
Where is Dobsonville Stadium located?
The City of Johannesburg gives the address as the corner of Montlahla and Majova Street, Dobsonville, 1863. Kaizer Chiefs’ August 2026 fixture notice described the venue as “Dobsonville stadium in Dube, Soweto”, so you may see different area names. Search for “Dobsonville Stadium” and check that the pin is in Dobsonville, not at Orlando Stadium or another Soweto venue.
Where is Dobsonville campus located?
The Dobsonville campus of South West Gauteng TVET College (SWGC) is at 5604 Van Onselen Road, Dobsonville, 1863. Campus phone: 010 141 4000.
Official or Current Information
- Ward: Dobsonville is split across more than one ward, and boundaries change before local elections. Use the IEC or Municipal Demarcation Board lookup with your exact address.
- City services: Dobsonville is served by City of Johannesburg Region D. The City call centre for water, roads and refuse is 0860 56 28 74.
- Travel updates: check Putco and Rea Vaya for route changes, and SAWS for weather warnings, before a long trip.
Common Questions
Is Dobsonville in Soweto?
Yes. Dobsonville is part of Soweto in the City of Johannesburg. It was run by the Roodepoort Municipality until 1994, when it was merged with Soweto.
Is Dobsonville in Roodepoort?
No, although it borders the Roodepoort side of Johannesburg and is linked to it by Elias Motsoaledi Road. Its historical roots are in Roodepoort’s old location, from which residents were removed between 1955 and 1967.
What is Dobsonville’s postal code?
1863 for street addresses and 1865 for PO Boxes. See Dobsonville Postal Code.
Related Dobsonville Services
- Shopping in Dobsonville: malls, supermarkets and stores.
- Food & Restaurants in Dobsonville: takeaways and restaurants.
- Transport in Dobsonville: buses, taxis and routes.
- Accommodation in Dobsonville: places to stay.
Sources & Last Updated
Location, addresses and transport details were checked on 13 September 2026 against the City of Johannesburg, SAPS, SWGC, Dobsonville Mall, Kaizer Chiefs and Wikipedia. Addresses and routes can change, so confirm before you travel.