MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

Looting dies down in places as more troops expected

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in the news:

  1. Looting dies down in places as more troops expected: A week of violence, arson and looting that has engulfed South Africa slowly began to ebb on Thursday as several districts rocked by the mayhem were quiet ahead of an expected surge in soldiers on the … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. Well-oiled defence: Looters stopped in their tracks by oiled floors [watch]: Guards at a Shoprite store stopped looters in their tracks after pouring oil on the floor in order to bring unrest under control. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. Standard Chartered provides 0 mln for Africa’s vaccine procurement: JOHANNESBURG, July 15 (Reuters) – Standard Chartered Bank (STANB.UL) said on Thursday it is providing $ 200 million in not-for-profit funding to the African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) (AEIBy.MZ … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. A rainbow after the storm for 3 lucky PowerBall Plus jackpot winners: Johannesburg – The National Lottery Operator, Ithuba, has announced that the PowerBall Plus jackpot from Friday 09 June 2021 of over R22 Million has been … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. Robbie Henshaw makes return as Gatland names Lions side for Stormers: Robbie Henshaw will make his return from injury for the British & Irish Lions on Saturday and Warren Gatland has named Alun Wyn James on the bench for the final tour match before the Test series with … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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Have you tried: Travelling to South Africa?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? Sophiatown was originally part of the farm Waterval. In 1897 the speculator Hermann Tobiansky acquired a 237-acre portion of the farm, which was situated about four miles or so west of the centre of Johannesburg. In 1903 he had some of the land surveyed as leasehold township, divided into almost 1700 small stands. The township was named after Tobiansky’s wife, Sophia, and some of the streets were named after his children Toby, Gerty, Bertha and Victoria. Blacks started acquiring land in Sophiatown.

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The Maboneng Precinct: Architecture

Maboneng is architecturally distinct because it rejects the “demolish and rebuild” philosophy. Instead, it embraces adaptive reuse. The Bioscope, South Africa’s only independent cinema, operates out of an old industrial space; The Living Room is a lush rooftop oasis that offers panoramic views of the skyline from atop a concrete shell; and the Museum of African Design (MOAD) was housed in a massive 1970s warehouse. This aesthetic—exposed brick, industrial steel, and vibrant street art—has become the visual shorthand for “cool” Johannesburg. The murals here are particularly significant; they aren’t just decoration but are often massive social commentaries by local and international street artists like Faith47 and ROA, turning the very walls of the city into a public gallery.

However, Maboneng is also at the center of a complex debate regarding gentrification and social integration. Critics argue that while the precinct is a “bubble” of safety and creativity, it often stands in stark contrast to the surrounding poverty of the inner city. The challenge for Maboneng has always been how to be an engine for economic growth without alienating the residents who lived there during the “dark” years. In response, many initiatives within the precinct focus on local entrepreneurship, such as the Market on Main, which provides a platform for local food vendors and designers every Sunday.