MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

Surprise finalists Norrie, Basilashvilli set to clash in Indian Wells showdown

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in the news:

  1. Surprise finalists Norrie, Basilashvilli set to clash in Indian Wells showdown: Britain’s Cameron Norrie dominated Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday to book a title clash with Nikoloz Basilashvili at the ATP Indian Wells Masters. The Bulgarian battled back from a set down to … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. Britain’s Norrie charges into ATP Indian Wells final: Saturday at the ATP Indian Wells Masters to book his spot in Sunday’s championship match and become the first British finalist since 2009. The 26-year-old Norrie overpowered Dimitrov with a strong … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. Q&A with Johannesburg mayor Mpho Moerane: As SA suffers a record year of blackouts the executive mayor of Johannesburg, Mpho Moerane, has promised residents ahead of the elections that he will end their misery. Chris Barron asked him … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. ‘Dance is me. I am dance,’ says Soweto’s dauntless Nomsa Manaka: A pioneer of African dance who has been saved by her art form before now looks to it to see her through another trial. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. Cele calls on police to protect most vulnerable in society: The police said they will be focusing on visible policing and conducting special crime awareness and prevention operations. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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Did you know this about Johannesburg? In 1971 the South African Broadcasting Corporation was eventually allowed to introduce a television service. When television was finally introduced, there was only one channel with airtime divided evenly between English and Afrikaans, alternating between the two languages. Test transmissions in Johannesburg began on 5 May 1975, followed in July by ones in Cape Town and Durban. Nationwide services finally commenced on 5 January 1976.

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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.