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Joburg is... dynamic
We asked our #MyJoburgers to describe the city in three words (a tall order, we know!). For artist Mbongeni Buthelezi, Joburg is full of possibilities. "Look after this city, it will take care of you!" is his advice. Couchsurfer and hiker Nobantu Shabangu's Joburg is formidable, colourful, and defiant with "a willpower emanating from Jozi residents that stems from their spirit to be undefeated". While Cathy Gatland, founder of Urban Sketchers, thinks of Joburg as extreme and enthralling, she admits that the city is also infuriating: "[Joburg] is a complex, multifaceted city, and what you see is not necessarily what you get – it’s so much more."
For artist and placemaker Hannelie Coetzee, Joburg has "entrepreneurial opportunity galore". She says, "My parents called [Joburg] 'Sodom and Gomorrah', so, of course, I had to see it. There is an endless supply of surprises." From award-winning photographer Lindokuhle Sobekwa's perspective, "Johannesburg is full of questions rather than answers." Closeted comedian Sthandiwe Kgoroge pins the city as soulful, stylish, and artistic, while multidisciplinary artist Boemo Diale thinks of Joburg as diverse, big, and fun.
To make a long story short, Joburg is frenetic, kinetic, electric, energetic, and unapologetic... and so much more! Yet the word that came out tops in 2024? Dynamic. No arguments here.
What makes someone a Joburger?
When asked, "What makes someone a Joburger?", writer and arts journalist David Mann said: "Once or twice a year, you need to tell everyone that you hate the place and that you’re leaving for good. Then, after a short trip to Clarens or Cape Town, or even your nearest public park, come back and profess your unwavering love for Johannesburg." Fine words for the mystery of this city, that keeps us ever in its fold.
For curator and creator Denzel 'Denzo' Nyathi, being a Joburger means "pleading for one extra person to fit in your UberX than is allowed", while ballet dancer Ruan Galdino chirps that it's "saying: ‘let’s have coffee soon’ and never having it". That would depend on who you ask. Journalist and co-founder of Dlala Nje, Nickolaus Bauer, sees Joburg residents as "the ultimate time optimists. There are few people in this world who think it’s normal to cram everything that is humanly possible into a single day. Among that handful are many Joburgers."
Joking aside, Joburgers have "hustler energy levels", as rapper and performer S'BO GYRE puts it. Home of the Bean founders Itumeleng and Leroy Itumeleng Kgopa say, "Joburgers are adaptable, always finding new opportunities, connecting with others, and pushing boundaries. They take pride in the hustle and the sense of possibility that comes with living in this vibrant, ever-changing city." Tayla Foong, the co-founder of 99 Design Store, echoes this: "They know how to hustle. I really admire their work ethic."
Most importantly, being a Joburger has nothing to do with the location on your birth certificate. As radio DJ Nick Hamman says, "If you consider Joburg your home, you are a Joburger. There's no right or wrong way to do it. That's its beauty. It's a place where so many different cultures and communities live together, many of whom weren't born here."
Further reading: Get the ultimate Joburg-inspired book list and listen to songs that sound like the city.
One thing no one would expect to hear about Joburg?
For UJ's singing Dean, Federico Freschi, Joburg is "the world's best-kept secret". And it's full of surprises. One of these, according to attorney and co-founder of Socially Gathering Savannah Cozzi, is the art scene: "From music festivals to art galleries to fashion, there is so much heritage and passion [in the city]." For heritage hero Flo Bird, it's the natural environment that stands out – despite Joburg's reputation as a concrete jungle. "[It's surprising] how beautiful the city is when you look at all the trees and experience purple jacarandas in spring, and golden jacarandas in autumn."
According to artist and illustrator Rebecca Potterton, Joburg will surprise you with its unique architectural history: "I can be quite annoying when I go on about the Brazilian Modernist influence on the architecture of Joburg buildings," she says, "or the fact that Brakpan is the Art Deco capital outside Miami, and maybe Mumbai!" For the co-founder of Banditz Bicycle Club, Titi Mashele, it's surprising "[how many] places you could go to at night on a bicycle," and, for Ricci Kalish Liedeman, fashionista and founder of Big Bad Batch, it's the fact that we have "some of the best and most diverse restaurants in the world".
Above all, we're with author and journalist Ufrieda Ho when she says that "beneath the brittle and desiccated bits, there's heart, too". You don't have to look far to know the truth of that.
What do you love about Joburg?
Despite its very real challenges, there's so much to love about Joburg. "The creative spirit of Joburg is truly inspiring, with innovative artists and a vibrant arts scene that constantly pushes boundaries," says trailblazing artist Mary Sibande. "There's always something happening, and you can feel the sense of possibility in the air." What craftivist 'Stacey' aka Curious Sleuth loves most about the city is "its capacity for resilience", and, for ceramic artist and maker of special things Molly Roberts, it's the grind: "The city is soaked in ambition and potential, you can't help but get swept in."
Most of all, our #MyJoburgers love the people of the city – a theme that occurs in interviews time and time again. For Gabrielle Onay, co-founder of Picnic&Thrift, it's "their creativity and the desire to create bigger and better spaces. Everyone takes things seriously, with a pinch of salt at the same time." And, says artist Bambo Sibiya, "The people of Joburg are so warm. There's no pretence, and life is not a rehearsal."
According to textile designer and entrepreneur Zydia Botes, "Joburgers are the coolest people! They leave you alone to do your thing, but they’re always happy to help if you’re in a pickle." Architect and tour guide Hugh Fraser agrees: "Joburgers are genuinely friendly. Except when they're robbing you. Even then..." Jokes aside, artist and gallerist Fiona Pole loves "the can-do mentality of Joburgers and the ability to turn the negative into [a] positive". The fierce optimism of its residents is something we love about Joburg, too.
Further reading: #MyJoburg is... vibrant: Our best interviews of 2023.
Your top tip for a visitor to Joburg?
Anyone who lives here will tell you that it's nearly impossible to describe the city to a visitor. With its contrasts and contradictions, it's difficult to know where to begin. However, most of our #MyJoburgers agree that their number one tip is to be open to the city. "Have an open mind," says Marcus Wyatt, a pusher of boundaries in South African jazz, and "don't have any preconceived ideas". Art specialist and auctioneer at Strauss & Co, Alastair Meredith, adds to that: "Don't be too nervous. The city is friendlier than its reputation suggests." And hotelier and dynamo Jessica Redinger agrees: "[Be] open to any experience and [be] adventurous."Of course, safety is a factor. "Keep 'em peeled," says photographer Alastair Mclachlan, "but don't be surprised if people are friendly." Lesley Kellerman, founder of Heart & Heritage, adds playfully, "Don't worry, that was just a hadeda, and hide your phone!" And then there's the question of navigating the city. To quote artist Alastair Findlay, "The rules of the road are a little different from elsewhere in the world. Green traffic lights mean go, amber traffic lights mean go, and red traffic lights mean go... if they are working." Nobody can accuse us of not having a sense of humour.
Oenophile and property developer Tšepang Molisana recommends visitors "plan to stay for longer. Make it a destination. Don’t leave until someone has invited you over for a braai." Most of all, to quote the CEO of Joburg Ballet, Elroy Fillis-Bell: "Accept that this is a city like no other. Lean into the pace of the city, the grittiness, the ambition, the sounds, and the smells. Don't try and compare it to what you know, it will leave you confused and your brain short-circuiting."
What makes a perfect weekend in Joburg?
SUNNY SIDE UPHow do our #MyJoburgers spend their precious downtime? Well, let us count the ways. First things first: whether you call it breakfast or brunch, it's a big deal in Joburg. Federico Freschi loves Fab & Co in Parkhurst, Nickolaus Bauer gets his nibble on at Richmond Studio Café, Denzel 'Denzo' Nyathi never misses bottomless mimosas at Fugazzi, Ruan Galdino brunches at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, and Tšepang Molisana loves sharing a meal with friends at 44 Stanley.
ON THE WILD SIDE
For a more active weekend, Alastair Findlay recommends taking a plunge in the Linden Pool, Rebecca Potterton enjoys a walk in The Wilds, Jessica Redinger suggests going for a run in Rosebank with Run Tell That or for a solo jog in one of Joburg's many parks, Titi Mashele recommends a bike ride through the City Centre, and Fiona Pole loves combining a hike at Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve with the great views the park has to offer.
CULTURE FIX
Joburg is also a city of culture, with books, art, and music galore. Ricci Kalish Liedeman is always up for a browse at Exclusive Books at Hyde Park Corner, while Flo Bird enjoys going to the Market Theatre. If live music is your thing, Cathy Gatland suggests checking out a show at Emmarentia Botanical Gardens. To get your art fix, Gabrielle Onay suggests heading to Everard Read and Circa Gallery or Wits Art Museum (WAM), or take a cue from Tayla Foong and get some fresh air with your art at NIROX Sculpture Park. According to Ufrieda Ho, joining one of Johannesburg Heritage Foundation's tours is also a great way to spend the weekend.
JUMP FOR JOY
If you're a wild card, Elroy Fillis-Bell suggests bungee jumping at the Soweto Towers. If that doesn't sound like you, do as Zydia Botes does and go for a facial at Africology Spa & Skincare. For family adventures, Mary Sibande recommends the kid-friendly Neck & Deck Restaurant where you can feed giraffes and take a dip in the splash pool, or for children of the furry kind, follow Marcus Wyatt's suggestion and head to Albert's Farm in Randburg. Finally, when the day is done, enjoy a sunset on the top of Northcliff Hill like 'Stacey' aka Curious Sleuth, sundowners at Blind Tiger Café in Parktown a la Alastair Findlay, a drink at The Royale as Boemo Diale enjoys doing, and, finally, clubbing at Newtown's Carfax as recommended by Hugh Fraser.
And we've only scratched the surface. Dive into our #MyJoburg archive for many more insights, anecdotes, and insider tips about the city.
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