MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

UPDATE 1-South Africa's rand steadies as markets await Fed verdict

Johannesburg in the news:

  1. UPDATE 1-South Africa's rand steadies as markets await Fed verdict: JOHANNESBURG, July 31 (Reuters) – South Africa's rand steadied against the dollar in late trade on Wednesday, as investors awaited a likely cut in … – Google Alert – Johannesburg
  2. Watch: Lion climbs on top of car in Safari Park near Johannesburg : A lion got a little too close for comfort when he climbed on top of a car at the Lion and Safari park near Johannesburg. Erene Oberholzer by Erene … – Google Alert – Johannesburg
  3. 'Moyo is not permitted, nor required to report for work': Old Mutual: The Johannesburg High Court ruled on Tuesday (30 July), that Old Mutual acted unlawfully when dismissing Moyo, while also blocking the business … – Google Alert – Johannesburg
  4. UPDATE 1-Old Mutual's fired boss turns up for work after court ruling: (Adds details). JOHANNESBURG, July 31 (Reuters) – South African insurer Old Mutual's fired boss Peter Moyo turned up for work on Wednesday after … – Google Alert – Johannesburg
  5. Old Mutual to appeal court ruling to reinstate sacked CEO: Moyo arrived at the company's headquarters this Wednesday, following the Johannesburg'a court decision, and was set to meet with Old Mutual and … – Google Alert – Johannesburg

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Have you tried: Visiting Port Elizabeth?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? While Johannesburg has a reputation as one of the most dangerous cities in the world, it takes an average of only 60 seconds for police to respond to a crime scene in the central business district (CBD). There is a CCTV system that covers every street corner and scanning vehicle licence plates.

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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.