MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

The anti-apartheid posters of Medu

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in the news:

  1. The anti-apartheid posters of Medu: The names of those who created the posters have only recently been revealed, such was the power of the threat their collective artwork held for the apartheid authorities. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. The low road to economic ruin, as illustrated by a trip through Mozambique: Our five-day journey across Mozambique reminded us of how little progress has been made in that country, of the cost of war, the extent of the carelessness of its political leadership, and of the … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. When violence is policy: How do we curb police brutality?: With high-profile savagery by the police becoming routine, what can be done to transform our broken relationship with law enforcement? – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. Arrows miss chance to make some ground on leaders Sundowns after goalless draw against Chippa: Lamontville Golden Arrows missed an opportunity to gain solid ground against Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns after they were held to an away goalless draw by relegation-threatened Chippa United … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. Interview with Michela Wrong: The tool of power in Rwanda is fear: Michela Wrong debunks the myth of Rwanda as a model developmental state and a poster child for Western aid, the theme of her latest book. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

Click here to submit your Johannesburg, Gauteng News – free.

Have you tried: Visiting Port Elizabeth?

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.

Category: Tag: , ,

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.