MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

British and Irish Lions South Africa series could be played in UK & Ireland | MyJHB.co.za

Johannesburg in the news:

  1. British and Irish Lions South Africa series could be played in UK & Ireland: The British and Irish Lions may play this summer’s series with South Africa in the UK and Ireland in a bid to stage the tour in front of fans. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. South Africa: Minister Zweli Mkhize Confirms 12,601 More Cases of Covid-19: Today we report a cumulative total of 1 113 349 COVID-19 cases identified with 12 601 new cases since the last report, representing a 33,7% positivity rate. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. Cricket-Sri Lanka hopeful key players to return for England series: JOHANNESBURG, Jan 5 (Reuters) – Sri Lanka hope to have at least three key players back after an injury-hampered test series defeat to South Africa, their captain said on Tuesday, as they look ahead to … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. End of Qatar air blockade opens up flying in the Gulf: Three years after Saudi Arabia and its allies in the Middle East began a blockade of Qatar, the conflict has been resolved – which means a return to relative normality for airlines in the region. But … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. South Africa complete series win over Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne’s century could not prevent South Africa from completing a 2-0 series win on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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

Did you know this about Johannesburg? At 269m high, the Hillbrow Tower is the tallest structure in Johannesburg. It used to have a revolving restaurant at the top, before it was closed down in 1981 for safety reasons. It is a prominent feature in the city’s beautiful skyline.

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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.