Johannesburg is one of Africa’s most culturally diverse cities and home to residents from all corners of the world, making it a global diaspora hub.
From the sound of adhan atop the mosques of Lenasia, to the smells of souvlaki in family-owned restaurants in Edenvale, the bright Chinese arches at the entrance to Chinatown, all the way to the vibrancy of late night salsa socials in the city’s north, Johannesburg is a museum full of global souvenirs.
The city’s relationship with migrants is as old as its inception, influenced by two significant waves of foreign arrivals. Johannesburg was born in the late 19th century after George Harrison’s discovery of gold conglomerate. This prompted the first surge of migration, with an influx of European migrants and Southern African mine labourers to the slowly forming city, with the latter coming from neighbouring regions such as (modern-day) Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, Angola and Tanzania.
In one section of a United Nations report entitled International Migrants and the City’, Professor’s Karl Beavon, David Bond and Susan Parnell are credited for writing that after the collapse of the apartheid regime, “migrants began to arrive in Johannesburg from virtually every country in Africa and around the world. In a decade, a parochial and insular city in a pariah country was transformed into a jostling, dynamic, cosmopolitan ‘global city’.” This was the second surge. By June 2022, nearly 30 years after the end of apartheid, a city of Johannesburg report revealed that 13% of the city’s residents were born outside of South Africa.
Infographic of City of Johannesburg’s ( COJ ) latest report. Infographic: Sechaba Molete
“What I really like about Johannesburg is the diversity of people and culture. This is the biggest part of the wealth in this country,” says Barbosa Oliveira Junior from Brazil, who moved to Johannesburg in 1996.
Oliveira came to Johannesburg from a city called Belo Horizonte to continue his work with a Christian non-profit organisation that works throughout the African continent. Johannesburg has proven to be a place of fulfilment for Oliveira as the city has become a part of his identity.
For me, home is where my relationships are. I feel as comfortable in Johannesburg as I do in Brazil.
Curating a home environment filled with Brazilian music, football games, and Portuguese communication is how Barbosa enculturates his South African-born children.
Infographic outlining Johannesburg’s 2 main waves of migration. Infographic: Sechaba Molete
Johannesburg: The City of Dreams
Johannesburg is still deemed to be a city of realised dreams and opportunity for many nationals around the world. “I think Joburg is where the money is, because I’ve been to Cape Town and it’s not the same,” says Algerian Barbershop co-owner Hocine Moffat.
In September 2016, Hocine moved to Johannesburg after being invited by his cousin, who had migrated to the city eight years prior. Johannesburg was a city of opportunity for his cousin, and it proved to be the same for him. After less than 10 years of living in Johannesburg, he recently became co-owner of a Mediterranean Barber shop. The indistinguishable difference between his calm and welcoming temperament and the atmosphere of the store is a marker of a non-South African who’s managed to construct a safe and familiar space 9 970 kilometres away from home.
“My dad always raised me to respect everyone and be kind always. Respect is iaqdar, kind is iddaq in my language Tamazight,” says Hocine when asked about how his culture influences his approach to business in the city.
Hocine resides in Johannesburg North, and although the Algerian community in the city is small and spread out, the Algerian national preserves his culture by participating in religious practices and holidays such as Ramadan and Eid.
The fragrant smell of chai glows in Ince Belli teacups, the intermittent cheers of men of different ages and the sound of Turkish comments paint a different picture from Hocine’s experience of community in a foreign city.
“On match days, we go to Otto, it’s a place in Greenside. It’s a very good social environment for us, we chill, we have our tea, and once the game is over, we head back home,” says second-generation immigrant Omer Turkmen.
Algerian Barber , Hocine Moffat tending to one of his customers at his barbershop in Victory Park. Photo: Sechaba Molete
Omer and Alpern Tiris belong to a small but close-knit community of Turkish immigrants in Johannesburg and live in a house with other Turkish men from different families. The house serves as an alternative form of university accommodation funded by the parents of young adult Turkish men in Johannesburg. The purpose of this accommodation arrangement is to provide a conducive space for the young men to live apart from women and observe their religious laws while being a short distance from the city’s two major universities.
“We have set times when we can go out and can’t go out due to religious reasons,” Omer explains. However, because football is an integral part of the Turkish cultural experience, the young men spend a significant portion of their free time connecting with fellow countrymen over a game at Otto Shisa Bar.
The formation of new contemporary culture in Johannesburg
The influence of migrants and their communities in Johannesburg extends far beyond tLatin American-inspired colloquial greeting “Ola”. It can be found in the city’s architecture, restaurants, music scene and entertainment.
The Taste of India restaurant in Parkhurst is run by a 1st generation immigrant family from India. It serves as an example of the influence of foreign cultures in Johannesburg. Photo: Sechaba Molete
From when the sun begins to set on Thursday evening till the early hours of Monday Morning, various bars and restaurants in Johannesburg are transformed into Caribbean, Latin American or Portuguese-speaking African countries. Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba from Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Angola respectively are three different dance styles that have been brought together to form Johannesburg’s SBK (Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba) scene.
“I would describe the SBK scene as a social and interactive party. People meet at these parties and ask each other to dance,” says Paciano Arleandro Sinankwa, owner of the Afro Latin Social.
Various South African and non-South African Joburg residents attend SBK events known as socials, where a dance instructor typically teaches attendees a dance style before leaving them at the mercy of the DJ to explore and experience other dance forms. For instance, the instructor might teach the couples how to Salsa in the beginning, but as the night continues and as the DJ begins to change genres, the couples begin to find themselves deeply enthralled in the world of Kizomba or Bachata. Although Central and Latin American and African migrants brought their dance styles to Johannesburg, they aren’t necessarily the only people keeping it alive in the city of gold. Ritmo La Vida is a South African-owned dance studio in the heart of Randburg that is a testament to the cultural convergence that continually takes place as a result of Joburg’s multicultural atmosphere.
Johannesburg residents at a Kizomba dance class on a Friday night at the Ritmo La Vida Dance Studio in Boskruin. Photo: Sechaba Molete
“Make yourself feel at home,” says the owner, Ali Anderson, as he begins to prepare himself a drink of brandy. Anderson is an interesting character who’s confident yet humble, humorous yet orderly and commanding yet sensitive. He’s racially ambiguous with an Asian name, European surname and the ability to switch South African vernacular languages that can only be explained by him having lived in Johannesburg for a substantial amount of time. Anderson’s paradoxical nature places him in the perfect position to be able to advance Latin culture in Johannesburg without creating an atmosphere that’s reminiscent of colonialism and Africa’s history of idolising foreign cultures.
I like to come here because I understand the music. I lived in Brazil for three years, and it’s very nice to be able to have a bit of Brazil here in South Africa.
“I like it, it feels like cheap travel because South Africans are actually a minority in the Kizomba space,” says Ritmo La Vida student Reabetswe (Rio) Modiba, when asked how he feels about participating in the preservation of non-South African cultures in Johannesburg.
Modiba believes that many Johannesburg residents are inadvertently exposed to and experience the effects and influence of Zouk (another Caribbean genre of music and dance) and Latin culture in their everyday lives without their knowledge.
“I think the biggest thing is people not even knowing that it exists (Zouk). They’ll see it, they’ll like it and not know what it is. My mission is to spread it amongst our people because there are already influences of Zouk. If you listen to Sava’s song Isoka, it has a Zouk beat. You could dance Kizomba to it,” Modiba passionately continues.
For Xola Benya, Ritmo La Vida is more than just a cultural experience. The dance studio is a reminder of his life in Brazil and an opportunity for him to feel part of a global community.
Ritmo La Vida is a piece of home for migrants and the perfect representation of Johannesburg for South Africans.
Racial Dynamics: Apartheid’s legacy impacts the migrant experience
Many of the migrants who spoke to Wits Vuvuzela are either positively or negatively affected by the legacy of Apartheid. For instance, many of their experiences of the city are akin to those of middle-class Johannesburg residents because of their proximity to whiteness. This is one of the main factors that contributes to most of them having positive socio-economic experiences. In an academic paper titled ‘European Immigrants in Johannesburg: Perceptions, Privileges and their Implication for Migrant Experiences’, Professor Terry-Ann Jones and Dr Tamara Last make an interesting observation, that “Europeans are largely absent from South African’s imagined identity of an immigrant”.
Although none of the non-African migrants who spoke to Wits Vuvuzela are European, many of them are white-passing and experience the privileges that come with being white in South Africa. At the same time, many of these ex-pats struggle to make sense of the city’s racial categories, viewing the categories as unnecessary and limiting.
Infographic detaling the findings of professor Jones and researcher Last’s findings. Infographic: Sechaba Molete
“For me, it’s even weird to say ‘black South Africans’ because I didn’t grow up with those labels. In Brazil, it doesn’t matter what the colour of your skin is. What matters is if you’re Brazilian period,” Barbosa says.
Hocine shares the same sentiments as Barbosa and believes that it is unfortunate that many Joburg residents are extremely race conscious.
“Since I’ve been here, it’s still that thing about the skin, which is sad. It mustn’t be like that,” Hocine says with concern.
Hocine’s primary identity lies in him being Berber, which was the predominant ethnic group in North Africa before the Arab conquest of that region. However, because the Berber identity is one that not many Johannesburg residents are familiar with, he identifies as white. Unfortunately for him, this decision has not been able to shield him from the xenophobic reactions and remarks that result from South African Joburg residents learning about his heritage.
“They say, ‘You’re not from South Africa. South Africa is for black people. I’m from Soweto, and if I had a gun right now, I could shoot you right in the face,’” Hocine explains calmly.
The anecdotes and perspectives of the various migrants regarding race and xenophobia serve as evidence that Apartheid’s legacy of hyper race-consciousness and inequality play a role in the experiences of expats in Johannesburg.
A commitment to Johannesbug
Although migrants in Johannesburg are not immune to the effects of Johannesburg’s service delivery and infrastructural issues, many of them seem to hold the city in high regard.
“I don’t mind staying in Joburg for another 10 years. I had plans in my mind to move overseas, but if that won’t happen, I don’t mind staying here,” says Hocine his barbershop.
Just before Benya leaves and the Ritmo La vida dance class comes to an end, he reflects on his Johannesburg experience as a South African who’s spent most of his life abroad.
“It’s a city of many tales, that’s how I’d put it. It’s incredible because there are not many cities like Joburg. It offers world-class experiences,” he says with a contemplative glare in the distance.
Just like Benya, most of the migrants who spoke to Wits Vuvuzela view Johannesburg’s cultural diversity as the wealth that places it as a world-class African city.
FEATURE IMAGE: An image of buildings and apartments in the heart of Johannesburg, Braamfontein. Photo: Sechaba Molete
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Investigative journalism is alive and well in Africa, report Lulah Mapiye and Sechabe Molete.
Journalists and media workers from over 30 African countries gathered for the AIJC conference.
Journalists were reminded to apply journalistic basics to produce the best work.
The annual AIJC conference will take place in Kenya next year.
Investigative journalists from South Africa, The Gambia and Ghana walked home with all the spoils of the third edition of the African Investigative Journalism Awards held on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
The ceremony, hosted in partnership with ABSA, brought together journalists and media workers from over 37 African countries and 45 further afield, reaffirming a common desire to change the world through storytelling.
As broadcaster Sakina Kumwendo introduced the night’s various speakers, it became evident that the future of African journalism is in good hands.
“As I look around, I see not just fellow journalists, but I also see the ultimate custodians of truth on our continent. Women and men who carry the torch in the darkest corners where power hides, knowing full well that this very light they bare makes them targets,” said the Editor in Chief of Nation Media Group, Dr. Joe Ageyo, in his keynote address.
From left to right: Seth Bokpe, Dewald van Rensburg, Edmund Agyemang Boateng and Mustapha K Darboe at the African Journalism Awards. Photo: Leon Sadiki
Ageyo’s message was a call to action for all African journalists to sharpen their tools to save Africa from the horrors brought on by corruption, negligent leadership and weaponised incompetence that continue to torment her.
South African journalist Dewald Rensburg won the award for his 10-part series titled ‘City of Gold’ last night. Rensburg’s ‘City of Gold’ piece exposes a large Gold-based VAT scam worth billions. His exposè shines light on organised crime and money laundering in Johannesburg’s gold sector.
Convener of Judges, Gwen Lister, revealed there were many compelling submissions, which almost made choosing one ultimate winner impossible. However, what sets winning journalists apart from the rest is the ability to go back to journalistic basics.
And 2025’s awards did not only celebrate the first prize recipient, second place went to Mustapha K Darbae of The Republic, The Gambia for “The Assets Go for a Song”. In third place were Seth Bokpe and Edmund Agyemang Boateng of The Forth Estate, Ghana for “Forest invasion.”
The investigative journalism work continues and delegates will convene in November 2026 at Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya for the fourth AIJC.
FEATURED IMAGE: Dewald van Rensburg giving a speech after winning. Photo: Leon Sadiki
South Africa is clearly unwell, and it is our duty as her citizens to demand treatment before it’s too late.
As of April 2025, the new South Africa is officially 31 years old. She is the answer to our forebearers’ prayers, the jewel in Africa’s crown and home to the genesis of humanity. However, it would be nearly impossible to expect her to be fine when her daughters are dying on the regular, the multicultural colours of her rainbow are dull and her leaders decide to pimp her out.
In a perfect world, we as citizens elect leaders we believe are best suited to take care of our country’s health and wellbeing – and in turn our own. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world, and we are impacted by bad decisions made behind closed doors. Decisions that often compound the symptoms of our 31-year-old’s health. Nursing our patient cannot be left to those with access to power alone, we need to be active caretakers too.
Here’s how to tell when your country is under the weather:
In mid June 2025, the Hawks raided South African comedian and Tiktoker Anton Taylor’s home with the signoff of judge C.A Erasmus and the instruction of suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu. This raid was a result of a satirical video Taylor posted in March 2025. Taylor pretended to be a Czech criminal in cahoots with Minister Senzo Mchunu and the police department as a means to continue with his various criminal dealings with no legal repercussions. Taylor’s case was eventually dismissed, however this is a prime example of authoritarianism. The right to freedom of expression is guaranteed under Section 16 of the Constitution. This incident is an alarming symptom because it reflects a government ministers willingness to infringe of the rights of South African citizens because his feelings were hurt by a satirical video.
When she was 11 in 2005, the rand to dollar exchange rate was approximately R6,35 to the dollar. During that time, she had an unemployment rate of 26,5%. Ten years later at 21 in 2015, the rand sat at approximately R12,73 to the dollar. She recorded unemployment rates of 24.5% by the end of the fourth quarter that year. Now at 31, the rand to the dollar exchange rate sits at R 17,87 to the dollar, with an unemployment rate of 33.2% by the second quarter of 2025. The progression of all these figures demonstrate that South Africa is not a strong as she used to be. She is unable to interact with her peers in ways she previously could. She is further weakened by our government officials and entrepreneurs who use her resources to build personal compounds in Nkandla, procure palatial mansions in Constantia and build R12million homes in Waterfall. She is at the mercy of pimps who travel in blue light convoys and routinely sell her to the highest bidder for their gain.
4. She’s a shell of her former self
She does not look or behave like a country that has gold, diamonds, chromium, coal, iron ore, rodium, platinum, palladium and manganese. She does not shine like the stars she’s produced globally in sports, art, fashion and academia. She’s lost her shine and her leaders have no answers for her children.
Through rising unemployment, gender-based violence and poverty statistic we’ve become desensitised to the reality of our situation. In the words of Sir Francis Bacon, “knowledge is power”. Now that you’ve been alerted to the signs of an unhealthy nation, it’s time we act and plan ways to bring her back to vitality like our lives depend on it, because they do.
The Outreach Committee of the Johannesburg Junior Council opened Women’s Month with a Women’s empowerment conference.
The outreach committee of the Johannesburg Junior Council hosted a Women’s Day open discussion to raise funds for the Chayil Foundation.
Women from different backgrounds and professions were invited to sit on a panel with the purpose of initiating conversation amongst women and fellow councillors.
The event was themed “The Power of Her Voice”.
The Johannesburg Junior Council (JJC ) opened Women’s Month on August 2 with a female empowerment forum themed The Power of Her Voice.
The forum was created with the intention of inspiring women in the wider Johannesburg area to understand that they have the potential to affect change by speaking up against injustices that affect women, while simultaneously raising funds for the Chayil Foundation, a non-profit organisation created to up-skill and empower women and the youth through health and rehabilitation programs, food and clothing drives and youth mentorship.
Among the panelists were Tebogo Makgatho, chief executive officer of Netcampus, Karen Landi, Kingsmead’s director of service and Robyn Le Roux, the founder of the Chayil Foundation.
Despite Le Roux’s efforts in Eldorado Park, her foundation’s headquarters were broken into by thieves who took her cooking utensils and other means essential to the running of the foundation. The funds raised at the women’s forum will be donated to the foundation to replace some of what was lost in the burglary.
The outreach community, along with the JJC struck a great balance between uplifting the Chayil Foundation and providing a space for women to educate and empower other women as well as any Johannesburg residents who were in attendance.
“The vision for this event was just to bring together people to have a space where we can have open conversation,” said Lesedi Moletsane, head of the JJC’s outreach committee.
We’ve had incredible speakers come here tonight and share their lived experiences. In the world women’s voices a lot of the time are not necessarily listened to and are put aside. Just giving the women, the opportunity to speak is truly transformative,” said Moletsane.
The Power of Her Voice forum is part one of a two-part initiative to bring awareness to women’s struggles and issues during Women’s Month. The second part of this initiative will be a march on the August 10 in Parktown.
According to Oliver Bouilliart, co- mayor of the JJC, the events have been structured this way “to create awareness around what Women’s Day is truly for, but beyond that capture the essence of what Women’s Day truly is. Bouilliart believes that Women’s Month is the perfect time to have both these events to influence public discourse and inspire the exploration of topics that might be otherwise considered taboo.
From her extensive experience in the information, communications, technology and services industry, Tebogo Makgatho encouraged all the women to study the way AI will be used in their dream careers, as a way to better prepare themselves. Karen Landi candidly opened up about her experience being hijacked and provided the attendees with tools to rise up and overcome trauma. Lastly, Robyn Le Roux spoke about her journey to founding the Chayil Foundation and provided tips on how young people can engage in community outreach in the absence of resources.
“May we leave here not only inspired but deeply committed to advocacy, to equity and to unity,” Moletsane said in her closing remarks. “Not just during Women’s Month, but during every conversation, every classroom and every community we return to.”
The planned march for August 10 will begin outside Parktown Boys High School at 11am. Marchers will pass through St. Andrews and Hillside Road in Parktown and then end back at Parktown Boys.
FEATURED IMAGE: A photo of two members of the outreach committee hosting the evening. Photo: Secaba Molete
For just R65 a pop, readers came from far and wide to stock their bookshelves. This year, Fourways Mall in Johannesburg was the host of the annual book bonanza.
All books on sale are priced at R65.
National and international book lovers make their way to the sale.
With just over 24 hours left, Exclusive will put a full stop on its annual warehouse sale. Starting on July 24, 2025, the nine-day sale was
established to both decrease excess stock and financial barriers to accessing literature in South Africa.
Exclusive Book’s customers looking for books during the sale. Photo: Sechaba Molete
Initially, books went for just R35 and were sold out of a warehouse in Kramerville. Now, malls have become the sale’s newest hosts and prices have been bumped up to R65 a book. Despite this increase, customers still feel they are getting a bargain, as average book prices in-store range between R400 and R800.
“I love reading and I just love the escapism of it. Unfortunately, as a student, it’s not very affordable to buy books every single month. So, this is really nice! To be able to get five books for the price of one,” said final year BCom management student from Varsity College, Tatenda Mudzwana.
Fourways Mall’s crowded centre court reflected Mudzwana’s sentiment.
“There are actually people who come from as far as Limpopo and even ones who cross the border from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Kenya,” said Exclusive Book’s manager, Mapula Mlikhwa.
Fourway’s Mall patron looking at the warehouse sale. Photo: Sechaba Molete
Despite the attention the sale has garnered thus far, some customers do not think that Exclusive Books can be credited with equaling the playing field for literature lovers in South Africa’s unequal economy.
A customer who refused to be named believes that the sale being in Fourway’s is an inherently exclusionary decision.
“Not everyone can get here. A guy from Thembisa can’t easily get here. A barrier to access still exists because of its location. The concept is good, but if you really want to reach people who can’t buy a book for R650, you also need to get to where those people are situated,” he explained.
Exclusive Book’s prepared paper crates for the customers who could afford to fill them. Tomorrow morning will be the last day the trestle tables will be restocked, a window sales manager, Mlikhwa suggested is best for the final shop.
FEATURED IMAGE: Exclusive Book’s customers looking for books during the sale. Photo: Sechaba Molete
The declining diplomatic relationship between the United States and South Africa makes for a complex and self-introspective experience for American students in Johannesburg.
The Trump administration prompts many American students to question their identity in the global context.
American students living in Johannesburg have found the experience thought-provoking.
Many of the students do not see themselves as ambassadors of their nation.
With one post on X on February 3, the bilateral relationship between the United States of America (USA) and South Africa was fractured.
US President Donald Trump posted an accusation claiming that the South African government is engaging in discriminatory behaviour towards white South Africans and turning a blind eye to the “human rights violations” occurring in the country.
Trump went on to announce his plan to withhold all funding from the nation – a promise he has fulfilled while making further untruthful claims about South Africa.
Despite the future of the bilateral relationship between the United States and South Africa being unknown, tourism and education continue to bring Americans to the country.
Wits Vuvuzela spoke to some American students living and studying in Johannesburg to get a sense of how they feel being American in Johannesburg in this unprecedented time.
Sahar Carter, a Californian native pursuing their master’s degree in creative writing, said, “I personally don’t see myself as an ambassador of my nation.
“My criticism of the US also spurred me wanting [sic] to come to South Africa.”
Carter’s Johannesburg experience during this time has birthed a desire in her to explore the specifics of her African roots.
“I do feel like since being here I’ve felt emboldened to become an ambassador for black Americans, I guess I feel very defensive about my culture,” they said.
Carter’s defensiveness also stems from their realisation of a perception from some South Africans, expressed especially on social media platforms, about African Americans being ignorant and stupid.
They attribute the sentiment to Africa’s misrepresentation in American media and the fact that the average American interacts with ‘censored’ media.
“ We don’t easily have ways of hearing about the rest of the world that doesn’t filter through specifically American media,” said Carter.
American students from a joint exchange program between Pitzer College in California and Wits University under the University’s Centre for Diversity studies also shared their thoughts.
Feven Aklilu , an American student of Ethiopian descent, opened up about her experience of never truly feeling American until she was confronted with the reality of the state of her nation while living in Johannesburg.
“Being in this space and trying to figure that out has made it very glaringly apparent that as much as I view myself separate from America and its problems and the consequences it brings, I’m still a living manifestation of that when I’m here and there’s a weird sense of not wanting to interact with that,” she said.
Another member of the programme, Laine May says she finds that South Africans become more receptive to connecting once they figure out their respective political standings.
“Conversations open up once they realise, oh you’re not that kind of American or whatever the current idea of what an American is.”
Laine says that she doesn’t feel sad about actively disassociating from her American identity, but finds sadness in the idea that being American is now associated with the qualities of its current administration.
She also felt disheartened after taking note of the way the United States is still romanticised in educational spaces in Southern Africa and how that contributes to Africa’s “brain drain”.
“As an American, I wish the American dream was something that was real for me and is a possibility for these children that want something bigger than they have now,” she said.
Despite these sentiments, the consensus among the American students interviewed was that they enjoy living in Johannesburg and that this experience is one that will change their perspectives as American students for life.
FEATURED IMAGE: An illustration of the flags of the United States and South Africa slightly overlapping, with the Johannesburg skyline at the bottom. Graphic: Sechaba Molete
A new musical weekly incentive to get over blue Mondays.
“I love you all and I’ll, see you here next week!” Those were the parting words of Carlo Mombeli, associate professor and the head of Wits University’s Music department. Mombeli’s words were not only an indicator of the intimate feel of the room but also a reflection of his intentions.
Wits Jazz Tuesday’s is a weekly musical showcase put on at theWits theatre lobby by the students and staff of the university’s music department.
Writing this, I felt like a miner who had just discovered gold or a scientist who had just uncovered the inner workings of one of Earth’s many mysteries.
Two audience members performing an item. Photo: Sechaba Molete
The night was ushered in with the cry of the first musician’s trumpet. At that moment, the theatre lobby turned into a terminal with the audience members being passengers eagerly awaiting a journey that transcended space and time.
Words cannot adequately substitute the feeling of physically being present at the feet of a live music ensemble, but in my attempt to use a linguistic medium, I would describe Wits Jazz Tuesdays as a place for community.
The Wits Jazz Tuesday community survives off an ecosystem made of jazz lovers, musicians (instrumentalists and vocalists) and aspiring musicians. Mombeli’s hands-on approach to leading this weekly musical gathering further strengthens its community feel, with him encouraging audience members to showcase any of their musical abilities while he volunteered one of his students to back them up.
The tapping of shoes on the ground, the nodding of heads, the closing of eyes and the occasional yelling of inaudible sounds were all markers of a common understanding and appreciation of the jazz genre.
The programme began with pure jazz and improvisation by specific student bands selected in advance. As the evening progresses and audience members are invited to perform, genres such as indie pop and alternative music become more frequent.
The evening struck the right balance between indulging the tastes of jazz fanatics and virtuosos while catering to the tastes of music lovers in general.
Wits Jazz Tuesday’s was an interactive experience that demanded engagement. Midway through the programme- Mombelli asked everyone to participate in creating the evening’s soundtrack by mumbling in a specific tone. Despite the awkward giggles and concerned comments that followed this request, Mombelli remained committed to democratising jazz and its creation.
This was further reflected in his decision to make the showcase free and invite everyone to join him and his students again next week. It was a fun and heartwarming experience. Its inclusive nature is reassuring and relaxing. The weekly showcase on Tuesday evenings serves as a reward for surviving Mondays!
I would give it a solid 9/10.
FEATURED IMAGE: An image of Wits University’s music students performing a song
A new health scare rears its head as faster spreading variant makes its way to the country.
The Mpox virus has a new mutation that has a higher infection rate and speed
It has the ability to spread through bodily fluids, skin to skin contact, coughing and mucus.
The head of Wits University’s campus health division calls on students to be vigilant during this time.
A new, highly infectious variant of the Mpox virus called, Clade 1b has officially reached South African shores, with Gauteng being its landing ground. Unlike the previous variant (Clade 2) Clade b1 is spread through mucus, bodily fluids, skin to skin contact and coughing.
According to a statement released by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in March 2025, seven labs in Gauteng had reported to have detected the new variant.
“We tend to let our guard down at times. When you look at a lot of viruses, all that they need us to do is be vigilant and avoid contact with infected people”, said Tshidiso Ntshabele, Wits University’s campus health and wellness head. According to Ntshabele, with the help of the Wits campus health and wellness center’s Infection Prevention and control policy, the center would be prepared if the spread of the virus escalated.
Infographic showing the nature of the new variant and how to prevent it from spreading. Photo: Created on Canva.
South Africa is not the first African country to experience a breakout of the new variant. The city of Kampala in Uganda was one of the places in which the first South African Clade b1 patient had just visited before it was discovered in Gauteng. As it stands the NICD has traced two groups of the virus with the first group being traced to the patient who had recently visited Kampala and the second group being traced to a similar area in Gauteng.
“I would advise students to familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of viruses, and most importantly always avoid contact with someone who might think has any kind of virus,” says Ntshabele.
These are the very same sentiments held by the NICD as there is currently no cure or vaccine for the Mpox virus or its new variant.
FEATURED IMAGE:An animated illustration of a Virus from Prevention Magazine. Photo: Pinterest
Since her announcement as the Democratic Alliance’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Helen Zille has dominated national headlines. In this bonus episode of We Should Be Writing podcast, hosts Lulah Mapiye and Bonolo Mokonoto dissect a media meet-and-greet with the mayoral hopeful. From her extensive political résumé to her controversial public utterance, we examine why the Democratic Alliance has chosen Hellen Zille as their candidate for the 2027 local mayoral elections. Additionally, […]
