MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

Babita Deokaran murder-accused to stay in custody until bail judgment

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in the news:

  1. Babita Deokaran murder-accused to stay in custody until bail judgment: Six men accused of murdering whistleblower Babita Deokaran will remain in custody until 20 December when judgment in their bail application is handed down. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. Keagan Dolly, Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena make their mark in PSL awards: Keagan Dolly continues to make his mark in SA football since his return to this part of the world a few months ago after the Kaizer Chiefs star walked away with the DStv Premiership player of the … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. South Africa’s White-Rhino Ranchers Face an Uncertain Future: As those wild populations decline, research suggests nearly half of South Africa’s estimated 12,300 white rhinos are now in private hands. With the trend of private breeding growing rapidly, some … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. Omicron causing milder infection than first three waves: South Africa expert: Johannesburg: Omicron strain of coronavirus is driving up the Covid-19 cases but the infections are milder compared to previous variants, the largest private healthcare network in South Africa has … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. Former defence stalwart now self-made merchant: FORMER Civics and Brave Warriors defence stalwart Stanley Lesley Goagoseb will be remembered as one of the gentle giants of Namibian football. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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Have you tried: Whale and Dolphin Watching in Algoa Bay?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? At the northern extremity of Johannesburg was Parktown, already known for its exclusivity and extreme wealth. Sir Lionel Phillips was the first Randlord to build a mansion in Parktown. “Hohenheim” was built in 1894 and demolished in 1972 to make way for the Johannesburg Academic Hospital. Sunny Side Park was designed by Frank Emley for Hennen Jennings and completed in 1896. Today it is part of the Sunny Side Park Hotel. “The View” was completed in 1897. It was built by Charles Aburrow as the residence of Sir Thomas Cullinan.

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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.