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Stuff from Johannesburg

Planting 1 Million Trees in Soweto to Support Greener Communities

ActionSA Johannesburg Mayoral Candidate, Herman Mashaba, hosted a successful launch of an initiative for planting 1 million trees in Doornkop, Soweto. It is aimed at restoring cleaner, safer and more sustainable communities in Soweto and townships across the city.

The initiative began at Mayibuye Primary School with ActionSA leadership in collaboration with local activists, community members and stakeholders to take personal responsibility to maintain the dignity of public spaces. All 1 million trees will be erected across public spaces in Orange Farm,  Diepsloot, Ivory Park, Lenasia and Alexandra.

The Mayoral Candidate was supported by ActionSA Provincial Chairperson, Funzi Ngobeni, ActionSA Johannesburg Regional Chairperson, Themba Mabunda, and ActionSA Johannesburg Regional Secretary, Lebo Mokoka.

Various neighbourhoods across Johannesburg lack public spaces that address environmental sustainability and improve the living conditions of residents.

There is no question that the status quo in Soweto and other townships depicts those of a forgotten people whose government ignores service delivery through beautified public spaces and adequate recreational facilities that respond to ongoing climate sensitive challenges.

This is one of the ways that ActionSA demonstrates its commitment to greener communities and active citizenry with residents in order to play a meaningful role in improving public spaces in their neighbourhoods.

We encourage South Africans to continue putting their trust in ActionSA and register to vote for a decisive victory at the Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026.

ActionSA Herman Mashaba: Remains the face and President of the party.

Source – MyZA

Free Johannesburg Press Release Submissions from MyPR.co.za

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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.