MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

White House highlights manganese as potential preferred battery element contender

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in the news:

  1. White House highlights manganese as potential preferred battery element contender: The White House document on revitalising American manufacturing and fostering broad-based economic growth pays particular attention to South Africa as the world’s largest supplier of manganese, and to … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. FXCM launches ‘Client First, Trader Driven’ initiative, expanding product offerings and focusing on client service: LONDON and SYDNEY, Australia and JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FXCM Group, LLC (‘FXCM Group’ or ‘FXCM’), the leading international provider of online foreign exchange (FX) trading, … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. South Africa to privatise national airline: WHILE Namibia liquidated Air Namibia this year, neighbouring South Africa has agreed to sell 51% of its cash-strapped national airline – a move expected to return the carrier to financial … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. Mr Mayor, where are you?: Is the Johannesburg mayor Geoff Makhubo playing the violin while his city collapses around him? Is the Johannesburg mayor, Geoff Makhubo, playing the violin while his city collapses around him? – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. Gumede’s corruption case postponed: The former eThekwini Mayor appeared for pre-trial proceedings at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Monday. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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Have you tried: Whale and Dolphin Watching in Algoa Bay?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? While Johannesburg is also known as the City of Gold, or ‘eGoli’ because of its beginnings as a gold-mining town, it is known fondly to locals by the shortened ‘Joburg’, or now more popularly as ‘Jozi’.

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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.