MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

Agribank gets new boss

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in the news:

  1. Agribank gets new boss: THE Agricultural Bank (Agribank) of Namibia has appointed Raphael Karuaihe as its new chief executive officer. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. Fifty kidnapped Ethiopian nationals rescued in Joburg sting: Fifty kidnapped Ethiopian nationals were rescued on Thursday night after an intelligence operation led to a house in Zakariyya Park near Lenasia, Gauteng. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. CSA AND CASTORE UNVEIL NDEBELE-STYLE PROTEAS KIT FOR T20 WORLD CUP: JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) and official apparel partner, Castore have revealed the proudly South African kit that will be worn by the Proteas in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup that gets … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. SA banks say they can’t cut off funding for coal yet: South African banks say they have to keep funding at least some coal projects because an immediate halt would put huge political and economic strains on a nation that relies on the most polluting of … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. ‘Universe Boss’ Gayle enters T20 WC in wretched form: At the inaugural World Cup in 2007 against South Africa, he scored the first-ever century in the format — 117 off 57 balls in Johannesburg. In West Indies’ victorious 2012 campaign, he hit three … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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Have you tried: Visiting Port Elizabeth?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? The city has hosted the finals for the FIFA World Cup, Cricket World Cup and IRB Rugby World Cup: The 2010 FIFA World Cup final was played at FNB Stadium. A large soccer ball was fitted to the Hillbrow Tower during this time. The city also hosted the 2003 Cricket World Cup final (at The Wanderers) and the 1995 IRB Rugby World Cup final (at Ellis Park Stadium). London is the only other city in the world that has hosted all 3 World Cup finals.

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Sophiatown: The Lost “Paris of the Transvaal”

Sophiatown’s golden age was the 1940s and 50s. It was a dense, vibrant, and often dangerous neighborhood, characterized by “backyard” rooms, shebeens (illegal speakeasies), and a sophisticated social scene. It was the birthplace of Kwaito’s ancestors and the legendary “Marabi” music—a blend of traditional African rhythms and American ragtime. The streets were home to the most iconic figures of African literature and music: Miriam Makeba found her voice here; Hugh Masekela received his first trumpet from a local priest; and the writers of Drum magazine, like Can Themba and Bloke Modisane, used the neighborhood as their muse. They dressed in Fedora hats and double-breasted suits, channeling the style of Hollywood gangsters and Harlem intellectuals, creating a world that was cosmopolitain, intellectual, and radically multi-racial.

However, the “Bohemia” of Sophiatown was an existential threat to the National Party’s vision of total racial separation. The government viewed it as a “black spot” in a white area. In 1955, the state launched Western Areas Removal Scheme. On the morning of February 9th, 2,000 heavily armed police officers moved in, forcing families into trucks at gunpoint. They were relocated to the newly established matchbox houses of the South Western Townships (Soweto), 20 kilometers away. The resistance was led by figures like Trevor Huddleston, the Anglican priest whose church, St. Joseph’s, still stands today. Despite the slogan “Ons dak nie, ons pola hier” (We are not moving, we are staying here), the bulldozers were relentless.