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Dobsonville Swimming Pool is a City of Johannesburg public pool at 3290 Nonhlanhla Street, Dobsonville, Soweto. The City lists its phone number as 011 988 5101 and its activities as Learn to Swim, lifesaving and provision for people with disabilities.
Before you go, note two things. The City closed the pool in January 2026 after a child drowned there, and we found no public notice that it has reopened. Also, Joburg has postponed the start of the 2026/27 swimming season from 1 September to 1 October 2026, and has not yet published which pools will open. Phone the pool before you travel.
Address (City of Johannesburg): 3290 Nonhlanhla Street, Dobsonville, Soweto
Phone (City of Johannesburg): 011 988 5101
Current status: not confirmed. Closed after a drowning in January 2026; 2026/27 season start postponed to 1 October 2026
2025/26 hours (City pools): Tue to Fri 10:00 to 18:00, weekends 09:00 to 17:00, closed normal Mondays
Checked: 13 September 2026
Next step: phone ahead, or see Events in Dobsonville and Places in Dobsonville
Overview
The pool is one of the municipal swimming pools in the City of Johannesburg’s Region D, which covers Greater Soweto. The City’s 2024 season announcement placed it in ward 48. It is the local public pool for Dobsonville and nearby parts of western Soweto, used for recreational swimming in summer and for learn-to-swim and lifesaving activities.
2025/26 season
Dobsonville was on the list of pools open from the start of the 2025/26 season on 1 September 2025, according to Time Out and Daily Maverick, and was still listed as open in the City’s festive-season list reported by Daily Maverick on 8 December 2025. Across Johannesburg, many pools stayed shut that season. GroundUp reported in March 2026 that only 32 of the City’s 57 public pools were confirmed to have opened, while Daily Maverick counted 37 open by the festive season.
January 2026 closure
On Sunday 11 January 2026, a 10-year-old boy drowned at the pool while on an outing with his father, EWN reported. The City of Johannesburg closed the pool, and council speaker Margaret Arnolds said the City would investigate. It was reported that the pool would stay closed pending the investigation. We found no published outcome or reopening notice.
Address, Map & Directions
The City of Johannesburg lists the address as 3290 Nonhlanhla Street, Dobsonville. Some reference and map sites place the pool close to Dobsonville Stadium or show a different nearby street, so enter the street address in your map app and check the pin is in Dobsonville before you set off.
For help finding the area, see Where Is Dobsonville Located.
Opening / Access Information
Joburg’s public pools are seasonal. For the 2026/27 season, the City postponed opening from 1 September to 1 October 2026. Community Development MMC Thapelo Amad said facilities had to meet health, safety and operational standards. The City plans a phased opening of 36 of its 57 pools, and reports said the list of pools would be released in early October. The Citizen reported that the season will run into April 2027 to make up for the delay.
In the 2025/26 season, City pools used these hours. They may change for 2026/27:
| Day | 2025/26 City pool hours |
|---|---|
| Tuesday to Friday | 10:00 to 18:00 |
| Saturday and Sunday | 09:00 to 17:00 |
| Public holidays and Mondays in school holidays | 09:00 to 17:00 |
| Normal Mondays | Closed |
| 25 and 26 December, 1 January | Closed (early 13:00 closing on 24 and 31 December) |
Entrance fees
Daily Maverick reported that entry to City pools in 2025/26 started at R7 for children and R21 for adults, with season tickets available. The City’s 2024/25 fees were R6 for children and R20 for adults. Fees for 2026/27 have not been published for Dobsonville, so confirm at the pool. For more on costs, see Dobsonville Swimming Pool Price.
Facilities & Capacity (Verify Current Facts)
- Activities listed by the City: Learn to Swim, lifesaving, and provision for people with disabilities.
- The City does not publish pool size, depth, capacity, change-room or parking details for Dobsonville.
- If you need accessibility support, phone ahead to ask what is available on site.
We do not publish photos or reviews of the pool. Photos found online may be old and may not reflect its current condition, so ask the pool or your ward councillor about its state.
Contact Details
- Dobsonville Swimming Pool: 011 988 5101 (City of Johannesburg Region D pools listing)
- City of Johannesburg call centre: 0860 56 28 74, for general City facility queries
- Swimming lessons: ask the pool whether Learn to Swim classes are running and how to register
Events & Activities
The City lists learn-to-swim and lifesaving activities at the pool, but no current timetable is published. Galas and school swimming events are arranged by schools and clubs, so ask them directly. For other activities in the area, see Events in Dobsonville.
Swimming safety
- Watch children at all times, even when lifeguards are on duty.
- Keep non-swimmers in the shallow end and within arm’s reach.
- Swim only when the pool is officially open and staffed.
Transport, Parking & Nearby Places
Dobsonville is served by minibus taxis, Putco buses and Rea Vaya, with Elias Motsoaledi Road (M77) as the main road. No parking information is published for the pool. See Transport in Dobsonville for routes.
- Dobsonville Stadium: football and athletics venue in Dobsonville.
- Dobsonville Library: People’s Centre, 2332 Luthuli Street.
- Food & Restaurants in Dobsonville: takeaways at Dobson Point and Dobsonville Mall.
- Places in Dobsonville: more local landmarks.
Latest Update & Official Sources
Checked on 13 September 2026 against the City of Johannesburg Region D pools listing and 2024 season announcement, plus reports by EWN, Daily Maverick, The Citizen, Time Out and GroundUp. We will update this page when the City publishes its list of pools opening for 2026/27. Until then, phone 011 988 5101 before you visit.