MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

Joburg Open 2026 Grand Opening

The City of Johannesburg is honoured to announce the commencement of the Joburg Open, which officially teed off this morning and will continue through Sunday. This prestigious tournament, broadcast to over 200 cities around the globe, further cements Johannesburg’s reputation as a premier international sporting destination—one where aspirations are nurtured, and dreams are realised. In keeping with tradition, the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Dada Morero, is typically entrusted with performing the ceremonial tee-off to mark the official opening of this esteemed tournament.

However, in a profound departure from custom, the Mayor elected to confer this honour upon a young boy whose remarkable journey embodies the very essence and spirit of Johannesburg. This morning, ten-year-old Tshiamo “Tshitshi” Makamedi from Alexandra took to the tee—not merely as a promising young golfer, but as a beacon of hope, perseverance, and the boundless potential that resides within the diverse communities of our city. Remarkably, it was only two and a half years ago that Tshitshi first picked up a golf club. Since then, he has achieved extraordinary success, earning medals at international junior tournaments and distinguishing himself as one of South Africa’s most promising young athletes.

His rapid ascent is a testament to his unwavering dedication, a rigorous training regimen, and the steadfast support of his family, who have made considerable sacrifices to help realise his dream.

While golf is often perceived as a sport reserved for the privileged, Tshitshi’s inspiring narrative underscores the truth that talent transcends boundaries; it merely requires the opportunity to flourish. By extending this unique opportunity to Tshitshi, the Executive Mayor sought to showcase, on a global stage, what the people of Johannesburg witness each day: a city brimming with extraordinary young individuals whose immense potential deserves to be recognised, cultivated, and celebrated.

This moment extended far beyond the game of golf. It served as a powerful source of inspiration, demonstrating to every child—whether in Alexandra, Soweto, Orange Farm, or any corner of our city—that their dreams are valid, their talents are valued, and their futures hold limitless possibilities. Johannesburg is a city forged on the principles of resilience, courage, and ambition — qualities that Tshitshi Makamedi exemplifies so vividly. As the Joburg Open unfolds over the coming days, we celebrate not only world-class golf but also the profound power of sport to inspire, uplift, and shape the next generation of leaders and champions.

Today, a young boy from Alexandra opened one of Africa’s biggest golf tournaments. Tomorrow, he may very well be one of the champions playing in it. The City of Johannesburg extends its heartfelt pride and congratulations to Tshitshi Makamedi. His achievements illuminate a bright and promising future for South African golf.

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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.