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Stuff from Johannesburg

Ramaphosa ’manipulated’ judge, former SSA boss claims in affidavit filed to Zondo Commission

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in the news:

  1. Ramaphosa ’manipulated’ judge, former SSA boss claims in affidavit filed to Zondo Commission: An affidavit deposed at the Zondo Commission by Arthur Fraser claims President Cyril Ramaphosa“manipulated” Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo regarding the handling of a court case. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. Pastor claims police brutality: Pastor Mpfariseni Mukhuba says police have been using ‘excessive force against unarmed and peaceful citizens’. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. When and what cinemas? More deets on MacG’s big screen interview with Zola 7: Podcast and Chill host MacG will take over cinemas next week when his interview with Zola hits the big screen in three major cities. The podcast host was over the moon when he announced the move … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. Revealed: Kaizer Chiefs XI to face Mamelodi Sundowns – Castro back to start, Nurkovic benched: Kaizer Chiefs are keen to bounce back to winning ways in Sunday’s visit to Mamelodi Sundowns. Surprise decision on Samir Nurkovic. This is their starting XI … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. Sibongile Khumalo awarded honorary doctorate by Wits University: During a virtual graduation earlier this week, South Africa’s First Lady of Song was honoured for being an ardent proponent of arts education and a cultural activist. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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Have you tried: Travelling to South Africa?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? In January 1890 the Health Committee conducted its first census of the town. They found that Johannesburg had 26 303 inhabitants. There were 13 820 buildings, of which 772 were shops and stores and 261 hotels and bars. The following suburbs were recorded: Booysens, Fordsburg, Langlaagte, Braamfontein, Auckland Park, Marshall’s Town, Ferreira’s Town, Prospect and Jeppe’s Town. There was also a Coolie Location and a Veldtschoendorp, the latter being a shanty town occupied by Dutch citizens of the ZAR.

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The World’s Largest Man-Made Urban Forest

One of the most surprising facts about Johannesburg is its status as a “green” city. When the first settlers arrived, the Highveld was a barren, treeless grassland (savannah). To support the mining industry, millions of trees were imported and planted to provide timber for mine underground supports. Fast forward to the present day, and Johannesburg is widely considered the largest man-made urban forest in the world.

There are an estimated 10 million trees within the city limits. This includes 1.2 million trees on sidewalks and in parks, and over 4.8 million in private gardens. This forest is so dense that satellite images of the northern suburbs often resemble a tropical rainforest. The most iconic of these trees is the Jacaranda, which was imported from South America in the early 20th century. Every October and November, the city turns a vibrant shade of purple as thousands of Jacarandas bloom simultaneously. However, this “forest” also highlights the city’s historical inequality; during the Apartheid era, trees were predominantly planted in wealthy white suburbs, leaving townships like Soweto as dusty plains. In the last two decades, “Greening Soweto” initiatives have seen hundreds of thousands of trees planted to bridge this “green divide,” emphasizing the role of urban forestry in social justice and climate cooling.