MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

Extension of power cuts to replenish emergency reserves, says Eskom

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in the news:

  1. Extension of power cuts to replenish emergency reserves, says Eskom: JOHANNESBURG – Eskom said that it had extended the rolling blackouts until 5am on Thursday so that it could continue to replenish emergency reserves. The utility said that it would continue with … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. WATCH | Urban jungle — Wildlife experts alarmed by rapid increase in wildlife kept as pets in Jozi: Wildlife experts have decried the practice of keeping of exotic wildlife as pets in Gauteng. Poor by-laws contribute to a legal grey area that sees Johannesburg residents keeping exotic pets ranging … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. Happy Jele has given ‘The Ghost’ much to smile about after his 400 milestone: The Orlando Pirates captain may have reached a milestone that any player could hope for but, as a self-confessed achiever, he has more dreams he wants to realise. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. COVID-19: Travel between UK and dozens of destinations now easier after red list cut to just seven countries: Foreign Secretary Liz Truss says the changes will allow people to “exercise personal responsibility”, while Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says “restoring people’s confidence in travel is key to … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. COVID-19: Travel between UK and dozens of countries now easier after red list cut to just seven: Foreign Secretary Liz Truss says the changes will allow people to “exercise personal responsibility”, while Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says “restoring people’s confidence in travel is key to … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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Have you tried: Visiting Port Elizabeth?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? It boasts the tallest building in Africa: Coming in at a whopping 270 metres tall, the Hillbrow Tower overlooks everything in the city of Johannesburg.

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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.