Finding the perfect dish that will fill your belly, along with a pinch of nostalgia, is no longer too difficult a task on Louis Botha Avenue with ‘the Place of Help’.
“LIJO tsa hao li lokile, o je masutsa a hao ha monate!” exclaims Madame Maggy. These are just the right words to make any hungry person happy. They are the words heard regularly by customers of Thusong Place Restaurant, a local eatery on Johannesburg’s famous Louis Botha Avenue. They are Basotho for ‘bon appetit’.
Thusong Place is the only restaurant on Louis Botha Avenue for Basotho (Sesotho, Setswana and Sepedi speaking) people. It is deep in the belly of an avenue full of businesses including auto spare suppliers, upholsterers and pawn shops.
Mme Maggy serves her customers at Thusong Place Restaurant on Louis Botha Avenue on a daily basis, not of a smie on her face and she caters for every customer. Photo: Lineo Leteba
Deeper into the place of help
Condiments accompany every meal that is served at restaurants. These are the condiments placed on a vintage plate at Thusong Place Restaurant on Louis Botha Avenue. Photo: Lineo Leteba
The street is also crammed with salons and beauty shops for diverse options when customers are looking for that fresh cut or new braids. Among more than 10 international African cuisine restaurants on the avenue, Thusong stands out with a sign written in a local language on the outside and images of local dishes on the glass windows around the entrance.
Along the avenue leading from the famed Hillbrow, a mural one can describe only as an artistic summary of Louis Botha Avenue stands out. It stretches through different suburbs with images of vehicles, street vendors, African women in traditional regalia – and food.
The meeting place for Basotho on “Louis Basotho Avenue”, and one of only two known restaurants in Johannesburg that sell lijo tsa setsu (a traditional Basotho cuisine), Thusong’s name means “the place of help” in Sesotho.
The mother of Louis Botha Avenue
The restaurants on Louis Botha Avenue come in a wide variety to suit the different palates of different cultures: Nigerian, Ethiopian, Zimbabwean, Italian, Jewish and many others.
Finding a restaurant catering to any of these cultures is like finding a needle in a tailor’s shop: It is not difficult at all. Finding local South African traditional food, on the other hand, is really like looking for a needle in a haystack – but for Thusong Place.
Mme Margaret Oganne (also known as Mme Maggy) is a 62-year-old Motswana woman who moved in the early 2000s from North West to Louis Botha Avenue, where she stayed for about five years before transferring to Houghton Estate Observatory, where she is now living with her family.
Mme Maggy is always behind the counter with a wide smile on her face as she waits to take orders from her customers.
“Your food is ready, enjoy your delicious food” are the words she says to her customers when she hands them warm plates of delicacies prepared by her with the help of her shop assistant, Emmanuel Maphanga, and occasionally her husband, Mr Oganne.
The traditional keeper of Louis Botha Avenue
Louis Botha Avenue is condensed with many restaurants that sell international cuisine dishes. A few shops stand out on the avenue for selling local South African food, though still encorporating international dishes to unite the different communities on the avenue. Amapelepele Spices for Africa and Thusong Place Restaurant bring us into their kitchens to learn more about culture and tradition. Produced and Edited: Lineo Leteba Sound: Rose Shayo and Sisanda Mbolekwa
Occasionally Mme Maggy will walk into the seating area and speak to her customers, asking them about the food and their wellbeing. In a low tone she will ask, “ho joang (how are you)?” and the usual response from most of her customers is, “I am okay mama.”
“I opened up the restaurant in 2017 when I noticed the lack of local South African cuisine restaurants in the area,” says Mme Maggy. “I made sure to include delicacies such as mala mogodu (tripe), papa le sechu and other traditional Basotho dishes on the menu. I also added some western flavour to the menu with dishes such as french fries and fried chicken. We serve sphatlo (kota), which is a local township dish, as well as magwinya (fat cakes).
“I want my restaurant to be inclusive of all people, although it mainly serves the palates of our Basotho people. I want everyone to feel as if they are at home, because that is how we are as Basotho and I want to bring that spirit to Louis Botha through my food,” she said.
I walked into the pungent smell of vinegar over French fries as the 23-year-old Maphanga was cleaning the restaurant. He is a shy young man who stays behind the counter on most days, hardly interacting with his surroundings or with customers unless he is offering his waiting skills. Soft kwaito music comes from a phone on the service counter. The TV, hanging from the ceiling at the corner as you enter the door, is tuned to Supersport 4.
Africa united through food on Louis Botha Avenue
Sister Sonto sells food at Amapelepele Spices for Africa on Louis Botha Avenue and she is holding a bucket of chakalaka that she prepares for her customers everyday using amapelepele. Photo: Lineo Leteba
According to Maphanga, who is originally from Zimbabwe, “a lot of people come here, but it is usually Tswana, Sotho and Pedi speaking people who come. Other people from other cultures do also come to enjoy the food we serve. We have everyone walk into the restaurant. I myself am Zimbabwean, but I enjoy working here because I get to learn more about Basotho culture and I improve my dialogue by interacting with the customers.”
A man, seemingly the only customer this morning as cleaning continues, sips water from a glass which he refills from a yellow vintage jug while he attentively watches the programme on TV. He moves around the restaurant as Maphanga is cleaning, so that he can get a better view of the TV. He does not order any food or speak to anyone, just sits there with no emotion on his face, adding more water to his cup as he watches TV.
During the peak lunch hour Thusong is packed with people from different walks of life, communicating in the language that is food, with a hint of Sesotho, Setswana and Sepedi. A man, presumably Mosotho as he is clothed in a formal brown Seshoeshoe shirt with green denim pants and brown leather sandals, walks silently into the restaurant while Mme Maggy is at the counter serving other customers. The man joins the queue.
When it is the man’s turn to order his food, Mme Maggy asks with a warm smile, “nka o thusa joang papa (how can I help you, sir)?” as he approaches the counter with a hop in his step.
“Ke kopa papa ka li salad le nama ea khomo (may I please have pap with salad and beef),” replies the man. Mme Maggy takes a clean white plate from the rack below the counter, wipes it with a damp cloth and walks over to the warm silver pots to dish up a serving.
Lunch hour traffic in the hot Louis Botha Avenue kitchen
A cloud of steam billows out as she lifts the lid off the hot pot of papa ea Batswana (a soft, porridge-like pap cooked with water and no additives). She adds coleslaw and chakalaka to the plate. Mme Maggy opens the pot of meat, and within seconds the mouth-watering aroma of beef is diffused through the whole restaurant as she spoons it onto a separate dish.
A plate of beef stew and pap served with salads at Amapelepele Spices for Africa as the special dish for Tuesdays on Louis Botha Avenue. Photo: Lineo Leteba
“Emmanuel, tlisa metsi (bring)!” exclaims Mme Maggy as Maphanga rushes from the kitchen with a bowl of water to offer the man to wash his hands before he digs into the food. The man washes his hands and Mme Maggy presents him with the food.
He slowly buttons up his shirt by the arms “kapa o shena matsoho” and takes a handful of pap, rolls it a few times around his hand, dips it into the meat broth and takes the first bite. With a look of satisfaction on his face he sighs deeply as he continues to eat.
“There are a lot of Batswana people that come here. I come here because I have known Mme Maggy for over 30 years now. We are both Batswana and I come here almost every day because I can relate to most of the people who come here through speaking the same language and enjoying the same food,” said 66-year-old Thabo Stephen Sereme.
With a cooling fan connected at the corner near an ice cream machine, the other customers walk in and occupy tables on the left hand side of the restaurant, as if in a separate room, drinking alcoholic beverages from the bottle as they wait to take away their food while others sit and enjoy their food.
A battle of convenience and tradition
Bernet Tau, a Mosotho originally from Ficksburg in the Free State, said, “I always eat here. It is like my home now. I do not remember when I came to Louis Botha because it was a very long time ago.
“Mme Maggy practically raised me because I have known her since I moved here. I always eat fried chicken and pap and watch the news on the TV when I come alone.”
The culture of food is derived not only from the traditions we grew up with or from how we were nurtured through our tender ages.
Lincoln Nyoni, originally from Zimbabwe, works at Legese Upholstery on 109 Louis Botha Avenue, and said he eats at Thusong every day.
“I buy breakfast and lunch there every day,” he said. “I buy there because it is nearby and the food is clean. I have been living on Louis Botha Avenue for about five months now. I started working here almost eight months ago and this is the only place I buy food.
“For me it is not about culture; it is just because the restaurant is close to my work and it is hygienic. Almost all the other restaurants on our block closed down, including Food Express, which was located between our shop and Thusong, because people were not buying food from them,” said Nyoni.
ABOVE: Tswarelo Moboreketla makes and sells kotas on Louis Botha Avenue for a living when he is not selling atchaar in Pretoria in his local city, Soshanguve. Photo: Lineo LetebaABOVE: Kotas being prepared in what Tswarelo Moboreketla calls the ‘spitori’ influenced way on Louis Botha Avenue. Photo: Lineo Leteba
Enter the African chef’s traditional kitchen
According to 22-year-old international chef Thabo “The Chef with an Accent” Phake, “culture influences food in a big respect, whether it be through techniques such as slow cooking, which is pivotal to our African cuisine, or the Dutch influence from the Afrikaans culture, the British wine influence, Indian spices that have seeped into Zulu culture, and more.
“In my point of view all 11 [South African] cultures intertwine and influence each other when it comes to bringing nostalgia and good food experience.”
Etward Lebona, originally from Leribe in Lesotho, said he does not know any other place that sells Basotho cuisine on Louis Botha Avenue.
“I see only one place that sells ‘lijo tsa setsu’ (traditional Basotho food) in [Johannesburg Central Business District] and it is called Lijong (the place of food). If I knew of a restaurant that sells our food I would buy from it because I love our traditional food.
“I would love to eat the food I was eating throughout my childhood. It is very important because I grew up eating it and now I cannot find it anywhere on Louis Botha Avenue. I would love to eat seketsa, papa ea mabele and likhobe again,” said Lebona.
Chef Phake, who specialises in African avant-garde cuisine, said he is not focused on changing the past but on “bringing the past into the present. My cooking is not centred on how I can manipulate ingredients or how I can play around with techniques, but rather on old traditions my grandmother taught me that are relevant to the new generation.”
The Place makes Louis Botha Avenue your home away from home, as it did for Tau. And it is also a place for convenience for many international and local residents, including Nyoni. It is the place that makes you feel at ease, like many of the residents of Louis Botha Avenue including Mme Maggy, by bringing your home delicacies closer to you in the big city.
FEATURED IMAGE: Mme Maggy serves her customers at Thusong Place Restaurant on Louis Botha Avenue on a daily basis, not of a smie on her face and she caters for every customer. Photo: Lineo Leteba
Various city departments and non-profit organizations in Johannesburg have become entangled in a cycle of shifting responsibility and pointing fingers at each other when issues of homelessness are brought up.
“All that glitters is not gold” is a well known aphorism that conveys the idea that appearances can be deceiving, thus some things are too good to be true. The city of Johannesburg, often dubbed the City of Gold, serves as a vivid illustration of this saying as it grapples with significant disparities stemming from political instability, macro-economic challenges, and persistent social problems.
A typical morning in the bustling streets of Johannesburg is characterised by the noise of car horns, as frustrated taxi drivers weave through traffic, disrupting the flow of traffic. For those who call the pavements on either side of the road home, this commotion is their unwelcome alarm, while the early risers are already up, sifting through garbage bins in search of food or items to exchange for a few coins at recycling centres. This is the daily reality of a homeless person in the city, however, it becomes even more daunting during winter or rainy days.
For some shelters provided refuge, only three government shelters are operational in Joburg. Three Kotze Street Shelter in Braamfontein is the largest, accommodating 350 males and females, followed by the 1 Dan Street shelter which has a bed capacity of 60 for males only and lastly, 21 Windsor West which has a bed capacity for 40 males only.
Despite this, homelessness receives little to no attention in annual budgets and planning, census data cannot even accurately capture the number of people on the streets in the municipality. Consequently, careless estimations have been made, such as when Homeless Solutions, a non-profit organisation based in Pretoria said that there were a combined 600 000 homeless people in Joburg and Tshwane. Africa Check denounced this claim after finding out that it was based on opinion rather than evidence.
Moreover, the municipality releases an Integrated Annual Report where overall city governance such as management, service delivery, financial performance and more are covered. This report also did not have any programmes or funding outlined for displaced persons. Instead, homelessness was identified as a hinderance to the public sector housing plan.
In April 2020, Gauteng premier, Panyaza Lesufi said that Johannesburg had 15 000 homeless people while Tshwane had 10 000. Yet, in a recent interview with News24 the CEO of Johannesburg Homeless Network, Mary Gillet-de Klerk said the number is currently more than 20 000 in Johannesburg.
Evidence shows that the municipality has made no financial investments in statistical research which could help to determine the accurate number of displaced persons. The director of research of the Gauteng Department of Social Development, Sello Mokoena confirmed that there are currently no plans to invest in such research. Therefore, speculations will persist.
On the contrary, the City of Cape Town (CPT) conducted an extensive study which not only found an approximate number but also the racial make-up and health status of its homeless population. This type of research required collaboration between various departments and NGOs and ultimately assisted the local government to plan for this vulnerable group’s basic needs.
Playing the blame game
The departments of Social Development, Financial Development, Human Settlements, Public Safety and Transportation are some of the city’s key drivers of social change. But when questions about shelters, budgets and healthcare for the homeless are raised, the finger pointing begins.
The Johannesburg Department of Social Development (DSD) defines homelessness as “displaced persons who live on the streets, under bridges or open spaces and are unable to provide themselves with shelter at any given time or place.”
The above definition proves that housing is a huge problem, however, Shiraaz Lorgat who oversees social housing funds under Human Settlements said they do not “play in the homelessness space” as they only fund affordable rental projects.
When enquiring about the inadequate health facilities and services provided for homeless people, the deputy director of the District Health Services Dorothy Diale, told Wits Vuvuzela that homeless people are attended by “social development,” but did not comment on the health department’s mandate on displaced persons.
Ultimately, the department of social development acknowledged that they are accountable for the homeless population, but clearly indicated that against popular belief, their mandate is not to remove people from the streets but rather to create awareness and to work closely with those who are willing to be assisted. “Human Settlements is not doing what they should be doing, its mandate is to provide housing, our [social development] mandate is not to build,” said Kebonye Senna, the head of the Migration, Displaced, and Children’s Services Unit in the department.
The lack of accountability propelled the provincial government (Gauteng Department of Social Development) to rely on Non-Profit and Non-Governmental Organisations to care for homeless beneficiaries, and allocated R87 million to the NPOs in 2022 and in 2023. Budgetary constraints saw the same allocation two years running.
Nonetheless, during the state of the province address on February 20, 2023, Lesufi announced that R2 billion was allocated to NGOs without specifying whether this was in addition to the R87 million. In response to this, Senna expressed her dissatisfaction and lack of trust for NPOs, noting that the government is wasting money by funding them. She further referenced an article published on November 6, 2023, about corrupt NPOs using resources provided for the poor for their personal benefits. “The money given to NGOs is meant to assist shelters. R 289 000 should be given to 3 Kotze Shelter per month and R 55 000 to 21 Windsor West, but theres only R 20 000 provided for both shelters.”
“If I were Panyaza Lesufi, I was going to stop funding NPOs and take those resources to government departments.”
Kebonye Senna
The 2022 social development policy document on homelessness has an alphabetical list (A-Z) of objectives. Three specific goals stand out. The first states that the department should “institute regular research (every two years) to establish the nature and extent of homelessness in the city”. The second states that the department should “facilitate access to housing through advocacy programmes for the homeless,” and the third that there should be a “special allocation of a percentage of houses to rehabilitated homeless people”. These objectives have not been realised and there are currently no plans in place to pursue them.
The slogan for the Johannesburg Health Department is, “one city, one health system” thus the assumption is that displaced people are included in healthcare services, especially because they are more prone to contagious, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The city has 40 public clinics and hospitals, however, according to a report by the National Institute of Health, homeless patients face discrimination, marginalization and stigma when accessing public hospitals. Moreover, there are no programmes in the department of health tailored to the needs of displaced persons, particularly if they are immigrants or do not have identification documents. For example, the latest HIV counselling and testing policy, dates to December 2003 but does not make mention of homeless people.
Twenty three yearold Sandile Letsoele told Wits Vuvuzela that he does not go to public hospitals because the nurses look down on him and other homeless people. “They’ll just look at you and tell you to stand very far, so we normally wait the whole day before we get help,” said Letsoele.
In partnership with the Holy Trinity Church in Braamfontein, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) students established the only clinic for homeless people in South Africa in 2004.
However, the leader of the church, Father Bruce Botha told Wits Vuvuzela that the clinic has not been operating since covid-19 due to “institutional problems” which he did not wish to elaborate on. The Health Sciences Faculty at Wits did not respond to queries around this either. “When it does run, it provides basic health screening, medical consultation, providing free prescription medication, wound dressing and HIV screening,” said Botha.
Attempts at forging a home for homelessness
The issue of stigmatization goes beyond health care facilities, it is also seen in local communities. Senna said that social development looks for hotspots before establishing a shelter, “We tried in Lenasia but there were issues of security, people don’t understand homelessness- they associate it with criminal activities.” She added that they are currently building another shelter in Freedom Park which will accommodate both males and females.
Displaced persons sometimes complain about the accessibility and treatment in NGOs and shelters. Thirty year old Nicholas Mncube, from Zimbabwe said he went to 3 Kotze shelter in Braamfontein, but they refused to take him in without a social worker. “I really don’t know why they wanted me to bring a social worker, but now I’m staying at MES [an NGO for the homeless] which is also here in Braam.” Mncube said staying at MES costs R30 per night which he cannot afford regularly, he can only go on days he has raised enough money from begging.
Apart from this, the homeless also try to forge their own homes, be it on the streets or by occupying abandoned buildings. Mncube who left Zimbabwe at the age of 23 said he lived and slept next to Joburg Theatre but was chased away by the police before going to MES.
Letsoele, who ended up on the streets due to drugs said he stayed at 3 Kotze but they kicked him out before his due time, “I was attending my sessions and recovering but they kicked me out during the weekend when my social worker was not there so I couldn’t even speak to him.” Contrary to this Senna said, the beneficiaries go through a three to six months programme which includes assessments and rehabilitation, and only released once their social worker believes they are ready for the outside world.
Councillor of Braamfontein, Sihle Nguse told Wits Vuvuzela that the homeless affect all sectors “everybody must play a role to assist the homeless, they are such smart guys they deserve a second chance at life”. He added that Braamfontein has approximately 500 displaced people.
Although the health and social development departments are jointly responsible for the city’s homeless pupulation, it is crucial to note the African phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This implies that the upbringing and development of a child are not solely the responsibility of their parents or immediate family. Instead, it suggests that a community, including extended family, neighbours, and friends, play a crucial role in nurturing, guiding, and supporting a child as they grow and learn-this same analogy could be used in the case of homeless persons.
FEATURED IMAGE: Tyrone Korie, a homeless man in Braamfontein packing all his belongings into a plastic bag and getting ready to take a walk. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
Concerns for the safety of dating-app users soar after the kidnapping of an 18-year-old student.
A Wits University student is recovering in hospital after being kidnapped by a group of men who had allegedly lured them through online dating app, Grindr.
The victim was found by police, bound and unconscious, on September 20 at the Denver Men’s Hostel and taken to Milpark Hospital for treatment. Seven suspects were arrested and charged with kidnapping and extortion, with police recovering three knives and the student’s belongings in their possession.
Police are investigating if the suspects have links to numerous other cases of a similar nature in Gauteng.
The student is currently staying at one of the university’s residences and on September 19, their roommate reported them missing after not returning from meeting with someone from the app.
“A Wits warden informed [Campus Protection Services (CPS)] that a student was reported missing by his roommate,” said Wits spokesperson Shirona Patel. CPS then immediately alerted the South African Police Department (SAPS). “They worked to track down the student… CPS were a central part of this team and acted swiftly,” added Patel. The university says that this is the first case of this nature that they have been made aware of.
The kidnappers contacted the student’s family and demanded tens of thousands of rands in ransom money.
SAPS Gauteng spokesperson Brenda Muridili said that a large group working together to recover the student were led “to an ATM where one of the suspects was expected to withdraw the ransom money on the M2 Road. The police held an observation and then placed the suspect under arrest [as] soon as he arrived.” The suspect then led the police to the hostel.
Grindr is a popular social networking and online dating app that sees around 3.6 million online daily users worldwide. The app is targeted towards the queer community (mostly men – 69% of users) looking for, as the AfroQueer podcast describes it, “hookups, relationships and love… and some other things in-between.”
However, this app has been an ever increasing medium to facilitate organised crime.
There have been numerous cases where users have been targeted by people who robbed, assaulted, raped, kidnapped and/or murdered them. The app itself issued a warning to its South African users over the rise in kidnapping’s linked to their own platform earlier this year.
A screenshot of the Grindr homepage in January 2023, issuing a “Johannesburg Safety Warning” due to the rise of kidnappings around the city that targeted its users. Image: MambaOnline.com
Noma Sibanda, who is a representative from LQBTQIA+ rights-oriented society Activate Wits, said that the “app itself is not safe because anyone can open a fake account”. There is no verification process when opening a Grindr account and anonymity is synonymous with most profiles, largely due to stigma, which criminals take advantage of.
“When speaking to someone romantically, people can be misled easily… so when meeting up for the first time with someone on the app, do so in a public place with other people,” said Sibanda.
Activate Wits says that this event “not only causes physical or psychological harm but also perpetuates a culture of silence and fear… [Criminal syndicates] capitalise on this because it is easier in South Africa to be operational because they believe they can get away with it,” added Sibanda.
Sibanda hopes to work closely with the university for victims to come forward and report crimes as “it may be easier for the queer community to speak (and open up) to others in the community”.
FEATURED IMAGE: Student activists pose on the Library Lawns while facing the Wits Great Hall. Photo: File
There comes a time when all birds must fly the nest and leave the comfort of their parents’ home, but for Generation Z, the time is nigh, and it seems there may be nowhere else to land.
“Out of reach.” “Impossible.” “Unaffordable.” These are the words used by members of Generation Z (Gen-Z) on the possibility of buying their own house in their twenties, according to an experimental Instagram poll of 38 respondents run by Wits Vuvuzela.
However, a 2022 Rocket Mortgage survey revealed that 72% of their Gen-Z sample (2000 people of ages 18-26) are highly motivated to buy a home in the near future but, as interest rates reach their highest peak in 15 years this month, buying a house in South Africa is more expensive than ever.
The South African Reserve Bank responded to a world-wide increase in inflation rates, which neared the 8% mark in South Africa at the end of 2022. Raising the bank repo rate to 8.25% meant that the prime lending rate rose to 11.75%, the highest it has been since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. A higher lending rate means that taking out large loans from a bank, such as a bond on a house, becomes more expensive. For younger generations hoping to live on their own, this has added another obstacle to an already almost impossible dream.
“Unfortunately, it is very difficult for young people to purchase property in this country. The current interest rates are higher than they have been in years, economic times are hard – many young people don’t have good credit scores which negatively affects their lending profile and many young people are not aware of the upfront costs that are required when purchasing a property [bond and transfer costs],” says Rob Pound, a real estate agent working in Johannesburg.
The latest FNB property barometer reveals that first-time-buyer numbers are on the decline and the average age at which South Africans can afford their own home is 35. The report cited the rising cost of living, inflation rate and unemployment rate as causes for so few people in their twenties affording homes of their own.
This is supported by real estate agent Ronald Oliphant, a Braamfontein area specialist who said that he has seen fewer young people looking to buy or rent properties this year. Braamfontein, Ferndale and Fontainebleau remain popular areas for young first-time buyers in Johannesburg, but the latest Lightstone report indicates that only 18% of stable homeowners in Ferndale are under the age of 35. This number decreases to 16% in Braamfontein and 5% in Fontainebleau.
For those young people who overcome financial burdens and manage to buy their own homes, the struggle does not end there. “I once had a client who was 27 years old and he found one of my properties, which was R850,000. He said he could afford it because the bond repayments would be the same cost as the rent he was paying at the time, and he was so excited to be purchasing a property rather than ‘paying someone else’s bond,’” said Pound. “He wasn’t aware of the upfront transfer and bond costs that are required when buying property, which in his case were around R56,000. He had to come up with this money in two months in order to buy the house, but he was living hand-to-mouth, there was no way he could afford it.”
South African banks, aware of this difficult situation, are open to giving first-time home buyers a bond of 105% in order to cover the upfront costs for properties under the value of R1.8 million. However, for this young buyer only one South African bank offered to grant him this deal.
Jesse Van Der Merwe (24), a recent Wits engineering graduate also decided to invest in her own property when she started her working life, however, after buying her own apartment, realized that she could not afford to keep up with the day to day costs of owning a property and living alone. “I realized that I can’t really afford to live [in the apartment] and like…eat, so I’m renting it out while I stay at home until I can actually afford to move into it.”
With unaffordable upfront costs and bond repayment rates, many young people who can afford it are pushed into renting property instead. This has led to a high demand for rental properties which, according to the FNB report, has made rental costs in Johannesburg more expensive in recent years. “Real-estate is simply supply and demand,” said Pound.
According to Oliphant, a tenant may only be considered for a property if the rent does not exceed one third of their income, but, as rental rates increase due to high demand, many young people apply for rentals that they do not comfortably afford.
Julia Rolle (24), a 2D character animator from Johannesburg who works remotely, made the decision to move away from the city to the seaside town of Wilderness on the garden route. To afford the rent on what she refers to as a “teeny tiny place”, Rolle pays 35% of her income on rent. When asked if she has had to sacrifice paying for other things for her accommodation, she answered, “Of course, but I wouldn’t trade the independence and having my own space.”
Interest rates have remained steady the last two months as inflation begins to slow, giving hope to young home hunters that the situation might yet improve. However, in a press conference held on July 20 in Pretoria, Governor Lesetja Kganyago said that the interest rates have not yet peaked, “Is this the end of the hiking cycle? No it is not. It depends on the data and the risks. That’s what it boils down to.”
In such an economic climate, some young people such as Jennifer Greef (25) have no choice but to stay in their family home for longer than they planned, “I do think I could move out, but my living conditions at home are just so much better than what they would be if I moved out because I would have to move somewhere really small,” she said. “I think still living with my parents is the right way to go about things right now because then I can save and spend my money on other things such as insurance and medical aid rather than rent.”
FEATURED IMAGE: Feature Image: A real estate agent hands over keys to a young gen-z as they buy their first home. Photo: Kimberley Kersten
Wits men’s basketball team defeat 2022 Gauteng Universities Basketball League champions University of Johannesburg (UJ).
Wits University men’s basketball team secured a 56 – 51 victory over UJ senior men’s team, qualifying for the next stage of the Gauteng Universities Basketball League (GUBL) tournament.
Wits Bucks’ Jacques Mahanga dribbling from half-court to the rim. Photo: Morongoa Masebe.
The Wits Bucks hosted rivals and defending champions, UJ Orange Wave, on Wits’ west campus in Hall 29, on Sunday May, 21.
From the first whistle UJ dominated the game, with Peace Famodimu securing two points, only three minutes into the start of the first quarter.
Wits Bucks responded quickly, equalising the score, but UJ wasted no time in regaining their advantage, with an impressive three-pointer from Nimo Dim. This was the first of the two three-pointers by the same player, that put UJ well in the lead for the rest of the first quarter.
UJ’s defence seemed impenetrable as the Wits side struggled to keep the ball out of their half of the court. The man-to-man defence of the UJ side helped them apply pressure and maintain possession of the ball.
The match was tight throughout, although UJ stayed in the lead for most of the first and second quarters, it was always with a one or two-point margin.
Towards the end of the second quarter, Wits Bucks’ small forward, Panashe Dumbu’s basket brought the score to a tie, after scoring two free throws. Wits quickly gained the lead when shooting guard, Jacques Mahanga dribbled twice past UJ’s tight defence to sink the ball in the hoop, but the lead was short-lived.
When a Wits player was tackled, the Wits coach shouted profanities at the referee for not calling the foul. The coach’s actions cost the team two technical fouls, resulting in three free throws for the away side. Two of the three free throws hit the mark.
UJ went into the third quarter without their captain Adrien Belo, who was taken out with an ankle injury at the end of the second quarter.
The third quarter saw four more points awarded to Wits Bucks, and the gradual end of UJ’s lead.
Thandiwe Padzuwa, a spectator, told Wits Vuvuzela that “UJ was under pressure, and they started fumbling the ball too much. They started committing a lot of turnovers”. A turnover is a loss of possession, due to fouls or defensive rebounds.
Wits Bucks strengthened their defence in the last quarter, and had every man tightly marked, making it difficult for UJ to find space to move the ball.
UJ Player Davison Chivero said his team was expecting to win but they were hesitant. He said Wits Bucks “were winning every chance ball, I think they were a bit more eager to win than we were”.
Wits Bucks coach Tshiamo Ngakane said that they have beaten UJ before and walked into the game with high expectations, “it’s always a big game, it’s always a tough game, but we have got a good squad.”
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits Bucks’ Panashe Dumbu (13) defending with both hands up. Photo: Morongoa Masebe.
Wit’s University’s Homecoming Weekend saw non-stop celebrations from Friday, September 2 until Sunday, September 4, 2022. The Wits Vuvuzela team was out and about throughout and these are some of the moments they captured.
The Witsie Kudu couple wave to the crowds before the beginning of the parade.
Wits Vice chancellor Zeblon Vilakazi welcomes Witsies and friends to the centenary celebrations. Photo: Keamogetswe MatlalaThe kick-off of the homecoming parade, the crowd begins with a dash from the line as confetti litters the celebratory air. Photo: Colin HugoThe Witsie Kudu couple wave to the crowds before the beginning of the parade. Photo: Colin HugoWitsies took to the streets of Braamfontein to celebrate Wits University’s 100th birthday. Photo: Elishevah BomeBesides the fancy- dress and costumes all those who took part of the Rag parade’s procession were wearing the widest and brightest smiles. Photo: Elishevah BomeA wits parade volunteer proudly wearing her Wits 100 year shirt on the parade. Photo: Colin Hugohe view of the 100 year parade from the 18th floor of the Wits Art Museum as the parade makes it’s way down Jorissen street. Photo: Colin HugoRAG Parade attendees paint their faces blue and gold. Photo: Tannur AndersParktown Boys High School band kicked off the celebrations with a performance. Photo: Tannur AndersWits cheerleaders partake in the first of the homecoming festivities. Photo: Tannur AndersWits Vuvuzela student journalist, Colin Hugo, came sixth in the #Wits100 Parkrun. Photo: Tannur AndersThe famous Great Hall is lit up by the centenary light show. Artists and dancers performed live impromptu art at the feet of the great hall. Photo: Colin Hugo A picture of what Braamfontein used to look like displayed on the face lifted Great Hall. Photo: Colin Hugo South African Rapper, Big Zulu, performing at the Free People’s Concert at Digs Field, West Campus. Photo: Busisiwe MdluliSouth African singer-songwriter, Jesse Clegg, performing the songs of his late father, Johnny Clegg at the Free People’s Concert. Photo: Busisiwe MdluliSome future Witsies taking a look at Great Hall. Photo: Elishevah BomeWits dean of student affairs Jerome September dolled up for the parade. Photo: Keamogetswe MatlalaWits SRC president Cebolenkosi Khumalo cruising along with vice chancellor Zeblon Vilakazi as the parade moved into the streets of Braamfontein. Photo: Keamogetswe MatlalaSongs of struggle marked the separate march against exclusion by PYA and EFFSC student leaders which led the parade pack. Photo: Keamogetswe MatlalaStudent leaders overtake the centenary parade with placards expressing adverse messaging. Photo: Keamogetswe MatlalaVusi Mahlasela performing during his heart-warming set at The Free People’s Concert. Photo: Rufaro ChiswoThe crowd at the Free People’s Concert thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Photo: Rufaro Chiswo Soweto Gospel Choir’s colourful outfits make the stage more vibrant. Photo: Rufaro ChiswoThe woodwind players from Mango Groove blowing everyone away. Photo: Rufaro ChiswoMango Groove’s Claire Johnston giving a jaw-dropping vocals. Photo: Rufaro ChiswoDazzled by the performers, the crowd can’t take their eyes off the stage. Photo: Rufaro ChiswoWits staff could not wait to get their hands on the special edition Wits Vuvuzela newspaper in celebration of the Wits centenary on morning September 2. Photo: Tylin MoodleyA player from the Orlando Pirates Legends team lines up an explosive penalty shot during the Wits Legends and Orlando Pirates Legends soccer match on Saturday, September 3. Photo: Tylin MoodleyWits Legends (left) and Orlando Pirates Legends (right) come together in the heat to watch the penalties that Orlando Pirates Legends won 4-3 during Homecoming Weekend. Photo: Tylin MoodleyWits fans came dressed in their supporter’s gear for the game against Wits Legends and Orlando Pirates Legends at Wits Stadium on the Saturday of Homecoming Weekend. Photo: Tylin MoodleyWits Music Alumnus Mdu Mtshali and various artists perform Gideon Nxumalo’s ‘60th Celebration of Jazz Fantasia’. Photo: Mpho HlakudiTenor Saxophonist, Thami Mahlangu performs an exquisite piece at the Wits Fantasia’ at the new Chris Seabrooke Music Hall on East Campus. Photo: Mpho HlakudiPerformers take a bow as the crowd cheers and applauds their electric performance which earned a standing ovation. Photo: Mpho HlakudiThe #Wits100 Light Show light up by a map of Wits Braamfontein surrounding areas. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi
With regular changes to travel restrictions globally, the travel industry has had to take knock after knock as travellers alter and even cancel their plans.
“So then, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household.” – Ephesians 2:19
“Fire! Fire! Fire!” screams the congregation after the man of God tells them to curse the demons out to get them.
“No altar having my name, having my picture, created to ruin me shall prosper!”
The exterior of Christ the Solution Ministries International with flags of various African states flying high. Photo: Anathi Madubela
The three-story structure trembles with the shrill sounds of praise, and the creaking of wooden floors is audible as the pastor urges the congregation to stamp on the devil on a serene Sunday morning.
Nestled in industrial Wynberg, just a stone’s throw from the township of Alexandra, the words “Christ the Solution Ministries International”, written in bold blue letters against a white background, can be seen from miles away.
“The way to the church is through that door and up the stairs. It’s a bit dark, but do not be scared: this is the house of the Lord,” said the man in a navy blue uniform with his ‘SECURITY’ cap cocked to one side.
As I entered through the narrow door I saw my reflection to my right, a shock at first, but the mirror commands you to look at yourself, to practise introspection. A gentle pat on my shoulder urged me to continue into the blood-walled foyer and up the stairs. The steep climb to the church on the third floor evoked the imagery of climbing up to Heaven, and a mix of Igbo hymnals and the singing of “Jesus loves me, this I know” filled the narrow stairway.
The second floor houses the Sunday school, which doubles up as a crèche on week days. The third floor, a brightly coloured room with high windows almost the antithesis of the route to the church, is where the service is held.
Migrant Hub
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in” – Matthew 25:35
“Let us pray together-oo [Asithandaze ndawonye], everyone say your own prayer [wonke umuntu asho umthandazo wakhe]. The battles you are fighting-oo [lezimpi uzilwayo], you will overcome [uzozinqoba].
“Think of today’s scripture [cabanga isifundo sanamuhla]. You are Lazarus [nguwena uLazaru] and you shall rise again [uzovuka futhi],” preached the pastor, who was dressed in a navy three-piece suit with a red tie and brown shoes. The mixture of Nigerian pidgin and Igbo seemed so befitting that the isiZulu translation stood out.
Churches or places of worship have been known to create a home and a sense of community, belonging and family for migrant communities. The mushrooming of migrant churches on Louis Botha Avenue is testament to the cosmopolitan nature of the areas surrounding the road. This video tells a story of a Congolese community who have created a sense of family for themselves through the church.Video by Anathi Madubela
Since the late 1980s there has been a global wave of Nigerian migration, with an estimated 100 000 currently living in South Africa. It is therefore not uncommon to find a Nigerian church at the migrant hub of Johannesburg’s Louis Botha Avenue. The uniqueness of this particular church, however, is that in this migrant hub there exists a church that shows the cosmopolitan nature of the road. The church not only resembles a cauldron of melting, interconnecting and morphing culture, it is also a microcosm of the greater Johannesburg area.
A slight metallic swoosh could be heard in the tightly packed, 100-person place of worship. Now and again I could feel a cool breeze fan my face as the congregant next to me was kneeling and praying intently.
“My father! My God! I exalt you! Please deliver me from my situation,” she murmured, seemingly aware that I was listening.
To my left, a man dressed in a matching green isiagu top and trousers, with the vigour of a lion, had his eyes tightly shut, his hands balled into fists while he walked up and down muttering unintelligible sounds.
At the back were three women whose knees seemed to graciously kiss the carpeted floor, who were praying silently as if to keep the prayer in their circle.
This free display of religion, faith and praise created an air of oneness and understanding and this was of course aided by the occasional “Tell your neighbour that God is good” and “He will work out everything in your favour.”
A programme launched by the National Council of Provinces and Gauteng Provincial Legislature in 2018 looking at the effects of migration on service delivery in Gauteng found that 47% of international migrants settle in the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipal area.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Nigerians are a population with a high record of migration.
Most migrations in Africa are intra-continental; that is why countries that have stronger economies, such as South Africa and Egypt, have a high number of immigrants.
Church as family
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1
The cry of a hungry child signalled the length of the four-hour long service. The pastor prayed quickly over the offering basket before closing the service.
After the service the pastor led me to a door on which was written “Pastor’s Office”. I sank into the couch that took up most of the space in the bijou office. Behind the couch was a mountain of bags of rice.
“We donate these to church members who are less fortunate. Congregants contribute what they can and we divide it among those in need,” said Pastor Pascal Nwachukwu.
“As much as this church has heavy Nigerian influence, we do not see ourselves as a Nigerian church; instead we put emphasis on community, especially when someone comes into a new environment without having next of kin. They often find themselves in the church and that becomes their new family. We have some church members who are from and live in Alex but choose to worship with us.
“It was also these members who defended us during the [xenophobic] attacks, in as much as this church was not heavily affected,” said the 45-year-old preacher.
Nthabiseng Mooko a 27-year-old choir member who lives in Alex, said although her father is a pastor of a Catholic church, she still prefers to worship at Christ the Solution Ministries International.
“The vibe here is different,” she said. “We call it club church because it gives us the space to praise the way in which we want to, as the youth. My father’s church is very traditional and I had to be put together, but here I feel more at home than I have ever felt anywhere else.
“The fact that this church is a walk away from my house is a bonus. I really feel at home here. I feel included. I am even learning a bit of Igbo because of the songs,” Nthabiseng said.
Wednesdays are jam-packed, the pews filled with churchgoers waiting to consult the pastor on a first come, first served basis.
RIGHT: Nthabiseng Mooko and Siziphiwe Mbokazi wait to see Prophet Ekene for counselling. Photo: Anathi Madubela
“A family that prays together, stays together”
Wednesdays are jam-packed, the pews filled with churchgoers waiting to consult the pastor on a first come, first served basis.
“I need to hurry back to work, please put me in na,” said a panting churchgoer to the caretaker, Sunday Solomon, who was monitoring who went next in seeing the revered prophet.
“These people annoy me. They take leave for everything else but cannot prioritise seeing a man who will help them with their life. Now they come in here and want to jump in,” said the caretaker.
He is a tall man of a towering structure. He looks almost like a bouncer of the church.
“I joined this church back in 2009 and I have been an active member ever since,” says Sunday.
“See, I had come to one of these counselling sessions and the prophet shared something with me. I had just moved to South Africa and my brother passed away back home, leaving children that I financially had to take care of, and for reasons I wish not to disclose I could not go back home. I was drinking and very depressed. This church saved me. At a time I was feeling at my lowest, Christ the Solution became my support system,” said the 36-year-old.
As we were conversing, sitting on plastic chairs in the crèche and with children singing their ABCs in the background, facing the door so that Sunday could regulate who went next for counselling, a woman with a baby on her back walked in and handed him a R100 note. He excused himself and went into the pastor’s office, then walked out again holding a small 100ml spray bottle with golden liquid inside.
“Do you not have a bigger bottle? This small one runs out quickly,” the woman asked.
In an earlier conversation, Sunday told me that besides being a caretaker he sold perfume imported from Dubai for a living, so I assumed the exchange was for that scented product.
“You can buy your own and bring it here and we bless it for you,” Sunday replied to the woman.
Then I realised it was not perfume they were talking about.
“It is anointing oil. R50 a bottle,” he announced proudly after seeing the puzzled look on my face.
He went on to explain the uses of the oil, while quoting an unfamiliar Bible verse. He said it could be added to bath water for a proper cleansing, sprayed over pillows to ward off bad dreams and sprayed on door and window frames to repel evil spirits.
ABOVE: Sunday Solomon, caretaker of Christ the Solution Ministries, sits in the creche so he can have full view and moniter people going in for counselling with the prophet. Photo: Anathi MadubelaABOVE: Anointing oil bought at the church and blessed by the prophet. Photo: Anathi Madubela
The unwilling prophet
It was finally my turn to meet the much talked-about prophet, Amope Ekene. I was met with an unwelcoming reception. Perhaps the soothsayer sensed something I was not aware of. The muscular man, of short stature, seemed weary and unrelenting, but eased up once the conversation became more about him.
“As a young boy growing up in Nigeria, Lagos, I always knew I had the calling but I did not know what to do with it,” he said. “My father was a builder and my earliest memory was of when I was playing with cement and I built a cross and hung it on a tree. I was about six years old then.
“I moved to South Africa in 2002 and I used to gather the men at the commune I lived in to pray every night. Those are my brothers, and from there my congregation grew and now we are here,” said the 45-year-old, apparently chuffed with himself.
He proceeded to tell me more about the church and its different outreach programmes.
“People are important to us in this church,” he said. “We try to help out in any way we can. The point of moving to this space in 2009 from Berea was to realise all of the goals we have reached.
“Take the crèche as an example: Many of our congregants are unemployed or have informal employment, so need a safe place to ensure the safety of their children. We offer not only a safe but a godly environment that parents can trust. Most of the children you see in that room do not pay fees,” said the prophet.
Religious text stacked on an ottoman at the church. Photo: Anathi Madubela
I could hear the growing agitation outside, as I was taking longer than the average person would during counselling.
“We try to help out people as much as we can in this church. We are a family in Christ. For example, with family counselling: The family I just saw before you walked in are in trouble. The husband was on the streets and the wife is upset and cannot forgive him. She is now even withholding things a wife should give to a husband. I had to advise her not to do this because that will further drive him away, because what a man cannot get at home he finds on the streets,” he said.
“The anointing oil is honestly to build confidence and faith in our congregants. When people have a ritual they tend to be unwavering in their faith. Manifestation works and that is what we believe in,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the children at the crèche continued to sing their lungs out, with their parents coming in to consult the prophet.
“A for apple, B for banana, C for cat,” could be heard from across the street.
FEATURED IMAGE: The exterior of a church. Photo: Supplied
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