We haven’t given up on Joburg

1. We haven’t given up on our city! Joburg claps back

The Wall Street Journal carried a report on Joburg, headlining it: “This is what it looks like when a city gives up.” It looked at how hijacking hotspots are a warning, rather than a policing strategy. It explored our fallen traffic lights and how people without homes have taken to managing traffic.

None of these are untrue stories. We know them.

The clap back on the Wall Street Instagram post had a single message: we haven’t given up on our city. The government may have given up (although it has found its energy with the G20 next week) but citizens are active, engaged and demanding. Take Pieter Rossouw, who replied, “the people are vibrant, inclusive and resilient,” while Tatenda Chidora responded, “We might have our challenges but we haven’t given up!”

I find this an energising time, with a palpable shift. Have a look at the posts, videos and articles, and let us know if you agree here.

2. Orange billboard makes citizens see red

Driving on the M1 at the weekend, I was flabbergasted to see a Solidarity billboard welcoming (G20 delegates, I guess?) to “the most race-regulated country in the world”.

It’s so inflammatory and ahistorical! But my view is that putting it up was also a mark of our democracy and its commitment to free speech. Most of us know race-baiting propaganda when we see it. And the performative ad was made for the US delegation that is now not coming. The city’s taken it down and Solidarity is suing, as it contracted with an agency to rent the advertising.

I enjoyed reporting on this papal visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa last weekend, which offers us a different way of community-making and thinking in the world.

3. Zebras spotted at Gillooly’s Interchange

You would have noticed that the highways into the city are lit, the verges cut, and the welcome mat laid out for the G20 delegates. Mayor Dada Morero said in a recent interview that President Cyril Ramaphosa calls him when he finds persistent potholes or lights that don’t work. (We’ll find a number for the mayor and share that with you too. Fer.)

Now there are five zebras and 80 flying egrets at Gillooly’s as a welcome to Joburg. A JoziMyJozi initiative by artist James Delaney, sponsored by Investec, it is just beautiful. Are you like me on this: I’ll take it, even if it’s cynical politics? Or does the G20 pimp-my-city make you see red? Let me know your thoughts here.

4. You asked us to look into load reduction in Soweto

Nosiviwe Nobanda, a Dobsonville resident, said: “Some paying customers who are on prepaid, like my family, are cut off, while others are left untouched.”

Much of Soweto still suffers from twice-a-day power cuts, despite South Africa largely overcoming load shedding, which peaked in 2023 (the last bout occurred briefly in February 2025).

Load reduction refers to an Eskom policy that entails reducing the electricity supply to specific areas to prevent overloading the grid, often due to high demand or infrastructure constraints.

Bheki C Simelane has more on this.

5. BBC says 700 buildings may still be hijacked in Johannesburg

This week, the BBC’s Africa Eye aired a documentary on hijacked buildings in Hillbrow. It’s hellish and looks like something out of Jerusalema, or any of the dystopian Joburg films we love (or love to hate).

Africa Eye reporter Ayanda Charlie investigated the inner city’s abandoned and derelict buildings, where many people live in conditions unfit for human habitation. After decades of decay and neglect, many of these lack electricity, water or basic sanitation, with open sewers a common sight.

Ayanda Charlie and Hollie Cole also wrote a BBC Africa Eye article that asked the question: is Johannesburg’s city centre in ruins?

The BBC has been able to identify the location of 102 of these abandoned and derelict inner city buildings, although some reports suggest there may be as many as 700 within a few square miles, said the broadcaster.

6. A different Hillbrow story

Joburg ‘Person of the Day’ Gift Sedibeng was an exchange student and chef in San Antonio, Texas for two years, who decided to bring Texan cuisine home. Mexikasi, also known as Siga Culinary Restaurant, is in East Bank Avenue in Alex. It has become a positive force in the community there, for Tex Mex with an African twist – kota, burrito, pineapple salsa, quesadillas – which his patrons call “kwasa kwasa”. Mexikasi does pop-ups and karaoke nights, and people arrive to eat, talk, drink and connect. Sedibeng’s culinary school has also put more than 20 students through training.

Picture of the day

“Designers’ talents at this year’s Soweto Fashion Week.” - Ihsaan Haffejee

My go-to spot for

... "experiencing Joburg’s vinyl scene. DJ Charles Leonard plays an eclectic mix on Saturdays from 3pm." - Greg N

Tip us off! What’s your favourite spot? Tell us why – or suggest something else here.

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