MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

Emergency Services attending to massive diesel spill in Vosloorus

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in the news:

  1. Emergency Services attending to massive diesel spill in Vosloorus: It is believed that a number of suspects broke a diesel pipeline that runs along the freeway in an attempt to steal the fuel. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. Protesters demand justice for apartheid victims at De Klerk memorial: JOHANNESBURG – A handful of protesters gathered outside where a state memorial service was being held for former apartheid president, FW De Klerk. They are demanding justice for their families who … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. Qatar Airways does U-turn on resuming SA outbound flights: Just days after re-opening bookings for flights from six Southern African cities, Doha-based Qatar Airways has reissued travel advice saying it will not accept passengers travelling from these … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. Shocking Munatsi death not diligently investigated yet: The investigation into the tragic and shocking death of ZIDA boss, Douglas Munatsi, in Harare early last week has remained largely shrouded in mystery, while speculation and rumor-mongering among … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. Ramphosa calls on South Africa to release De Klerk so he can rest in peace: The president was delivering the eulogy at the State Memorial Service of the former president at the Groote Kerk in Cape Town . – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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

Did you know this about Johannesburg? The Rand Club of Johannesburg is the oldest private members’ club in Johannesburg, South Africa, and founded in October 1887. The plan for the current, third, clubhouse was put on paper in 1902 and its construction was finished in 1904 on the design by architects Leck & Emley in the Edwardian neo-baroque style.

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Ponte City: Transformation

As the “white flight” of the 1980s and 90s drained the inner city of capital, Ponte City underwent a dramatic and terrifying transformation. By the late 1990s, the building had become a “vertical slum” and a symbol of urban decay. It was famously “hijacked” by gangs; the retail levels were stripped, and the building became a fortress for drug dealing and human trafficking. The most haunting image from this era was the central core. Originally designed to be a light-filled courtyard, it became a literal trash heap. Residents on the upper floors would throw their refuse into the center of the building rather than taking it down. At its worst point, the trash in the core reached five stories high—a mountain of rotting debris, discarded furniture, and even, legend has it, the remains of those who had fallen or jumped.

During this period, the reputation of Ponte was so toxic that there was a serious proposal in 1998 to turn the entire skyscraper into a vertical prison. The plan was eventually scrapped, but the building remained a “no-go zone” for nearly a decade. The turnaround began in the mid-2000s when developers New Metro Property Group and later Dlala Nje began a massive, painstaking refurbishment. They cleared out the tons of trash from the core, restored the lifts (which had often been out of order, forcing residents to climb 50 flights of stairs), and implemented strict security protocols.