The CEO Clean-Up Campaign at Joubert Park on 12 November 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This three-day campaign brings together the executive mayor and Johannesburg's leading CEOs for visible, on-the-ground action to restore the cleanliness, functionality and dignity of key precincts. (Photo: Gallo Images / Sharon Seretlo) 
1. Your emails put me straight
Here’s a selection of readers’ thoughts, largely agreeing that we haven’t given up on our city. (But disagreeing with me on the cosmetic changes. Fer.)
“The instant fix… presents Johannesburg residents with a conundrum… we’re ‘grateful’ that something has been done, yet it’s infuriating because it’s clearly window-dressing for foreign visitors, not residents.”
“There is a spirit of ‘We Can Do It’ amongst us citizens, despite the doom and gloom emanating from the Civic Centre.”
“It makes me see red… The mayor is not concerned about citizens – all they are doing is window-dressing the mess, instead of fixing the daily dysfunction.”
“I’ve returned after decades abroad. People are brave, industrious and bright. I’m so happy to be living here where people are neither complacent nor numb… We’ve NOT given up… and we never will. That’s what makes us so unique as a people.”
2. G20 power: Joburg cleans up its act for the bwanas’ visit
It’s usually a dictatorship or banana republic meme: the people are so scorned that bigwigs clean up and get moving only when the bwanas are coming to town.
The poor get moved. The money is found to beautify and clean. Things broken forever get fixed. The ever-off lights suddenly burn bright. The traffic gets choked so the cavalcades can move freely. Well, here we are.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ED_582347.jpg "The Joburg mayor's high-impact operation left parts of the inner-city, which used to be used by informal traders, clean on October 14, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo: Gallo Images / Sharon Seretlo)")
3. ‘Stolen’ worries about the Gillooly’s giraffes
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-19-135833.png "Photo: James Delaney")
Several readers emailed after our Wednesday issue, worried that the giraffes and egret sculptures at Gillooly’s would be stolen. I asked artist James Delaney what he thought. He laughed, responding that when he installed beautiful sculptures at The Wilds, many cynics said they would be gone. Seven years later, and they are all in place at that wonderful inner-city park. |
4. G20 no-shows: here’s who’s still coming to town
Peter Fabricius has the latest on who is coming and who is not, as Joburg gears up for the “G20-not-quite-20”. |
Joburg ‘Person of the Day’
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/persy-mamba-mural-artist.jpg "Mural artist Persy Mamba at work. Text and photo: Bridget Hilton-Barber")
Persy Mamba adds the finishing touches to a mural on the walls of Donald Mackay Park in Berea. Once dangerous and derelict, the park provides a safe green space for the people of Ponte, and surrounding high-rises in Berea and Hillbrow. It has a kids’ playground, soccer and basketball fields, and a food garden. It has been rejuvenated by City Parks, Jozi My Jozi and partners. Mamba works with Safe Study, an enrichment education space based at Victoria Yards, whose programmes support marginalised and underprivileged children in the broader Lorentzville, Bez Valley and Troyeville neighbourhoods |
Picture of the day
“Superstars: author Zakes Mda and actor, director and playwright John Kani at the John Kani Performing Arts Academy opening on 6 November. Marshalltown, Johannesburg.” - Jesse Kayser
Heard recently
- “And I’m sure the company’s data crunchers could tell you how many people work on a ‘summer bod’ and how many come all year” — Stephen Grootes, on his lapsed Virgin Active membership in Joburg.
- “How much are we paying for this sticking plaster intervention? And will it make one iota of difference once the G20 is done? — Duncan, in the “makes me see red” category about the city ignoring responsibilities.
My go-to spot for
... "relaxing near a James Delaney giraffe in the inner city." - Ferial H
Tip us off! What’s your favourite spot? Tell us why – or suggest something else here.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-19-141937.png "The Wilds Nature Reserve. Houghton Drive, Houghton Estate. (Photo: Facebook)")
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