Joburgers are serious about going green, it’s not just the latest fad. It’s an alternative hipster lifestyle that separates the the cool peeps from the (global) warmers. It’s safe to say Joburg is not just a pretty city, its an environmentally sensitive zone. And green is definitely the new black in the city of gold. Its going greener everyday and most of the city’s inhabitants embracing global cooling in very cool ways.
Thrift shopping
Many cool peeps in Jozi wear vintage or second hand clothing. Thrift markets are popping up everywhere and Joburgers love them because they are affordable and trendy. Thrifting allows styles to be shared and limits to be broken. At such affordable prices, why not.
Shopping the green way
Shopping malls are getting greener and greener, one such space is 27Boxes. This mall is made of shipping containers, it has an edgy and sleek look that will make any shopper happy to spend money there.
SHOPPING THE GREEN WAY: Jozi shoppers, enjoy shopping the environmentally friendly way. Photo: Michelle Gumede
Snazzy shopping bags
Reusable shopping bags can be seen hanging off the shoulders of the trendiest peeps in Joburg, from celebrities to ordinary Witsies. These bags are fashionable and eco friendly- made from recycled materials.
GEORGEOUS RUBBISH: Trendy shopping bags made from recyclable materials are hot in Jozi. Photo: Michelle Gumede
All naturelle body care
Earth friendly body products are the “in” thing for the ladies of Joburg. The Africology range of beauty products is popular because not only is it cheap but they use natural ingredients to make their lathering body creams and scrubs. Having started their company in Johannesburg, the brand can now be found in hotels and spas across the world.
Healthy eating is healthy living
Most peeps in Joburg enjoy eating healthy because ‘green’ food is no longer rabbit food. Restaurants like Kauai are creating tasty and trendy meals for the everyday person. They have awesome smoothies made from “super foods’ which are healthy fruits and veggies that give you a boost when you need it.
Internet Madness
Everything is going digital! The postal office is becoming an endangered species because Jozi is going digital. Even students get their fees statements online, people are shopping online, even cabs like Uber are using the digital space to do business.
In a bid to reduce paper usage, internet in Johannesburg has gone viral! Everyone uses internet, for EVERYTHING from online shopping to online school fees statements. According to the City of Joburg, internet usage has trebbled to over 12 million since the year 2000. Nine of the 12 major internet service providers listed Internet Service Providers Association by are based right here in Jozi.
Banks like Nedbank are committed to climate change through their Corporate Social Investment programs. As a a signatory to the Carbon Disclosure Project, Nedbank received an A-minus rating for transparency and performance. This bank is leading in sustainable business practices as their policy is strongly focused on climate change issues and sustainable banking.
Architecture
51% of Jozi buildings in the commercial sector are expected to be going green by the end of 2015 according to the McGraw and Hills World. There are long term financial benefits to going green for corporate companies including increased rental rates and asset value, reduced risk of depreciation, and higher tenant attraction and retention rates. The Green Building Council South Africa uses a green star rating system to determine how environmentally friendly buildings are built and operated.
The WWF Building in Braamfontein is one of the most cutting edge green buildings in Jozi, they have their own water purification system, light sensitive blinds and the building itself is made up of reused material.
In an initiative to reduce carbon emmissions, the City of Joburg has embarked on a campaign to promote cycling in the city. Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau launched Cycle week in March to demonstrate the city’s commitment to cycling.
Designated cycle lanes have been set up to allow for cyclists to travel safely. Cyling lanes are patrolled and monitored by a patrol unit which is set up by the Metro Police. 31 people have been fined for parking in the cycle lanes while six cars have been impounded. Other forms of public transport like the Gautrain and the Rea vaya rapid bus system contribute to lower carbon emissions in the city.
CYCLING IN THE CITY: Joburgers love cycling and our Mayor Parks Tau agrees. Photo: Michelle Gumede
The arbor city
Johannesburg is an arbor city which means that majority of the trees found in the city are planted. If there were no humans were settled here then there would literally be no trees in this semi arid space. Arbor week is celebrated from 1- 7 September every year.
EVER GREEN CITY: Luscious plants cover every corner of Johannesburg. Photo: Michelle Gumede
Cars
Eco friendly vehicles can be spotted all over Johannesburg. These cars emit less harmful fumes into the environment and have a positive
The Nissan Leaf, the Toyota Prius and the Porche Panamera S e-Hybrid are some of the popular environmentally friendly cars around. The Nissan Leaf for instance runs on electricity and its laminated lithium ion batteries can be charged at home or at any other electrical station. It has zero emissions and a low internal combustion engine allowing it to reach high speeds. The Eco mobility world festival is currently happening in Johannesburg until the end of the month.
ECO DRIVING: Earth friendly cars can be spotted across the city. Photo: Provided
Businesses reducing their carbon footprint
Energy saving measures are business as usual as retailers like Woolworths. By using Energy efficient store lighting, natural gas refrigeration and solar power theyre business model is built around the concept of being green. Their farming for the future initiative is a campaign to save water and have less chemical runoff through their farms. Fabric suppliers also adhere to high standards of sustainability when it comes to dyes, materials and chemicals.
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESSES: Sustainability is a large part of most businesses in Jozi. Photo: Michelle Gumede
Schools going green
Schools in Johannesburg are going green by planting veggie gardens. Today’s primary school students, like those of Sunward Park use the digital medium to interact with learning material. saving paper saving the trees!!
GREEN KIDS: Vegetable gardens can be spotted at many Joburg schools. Children in Jozi are enthusiastic about saving our planet. Photo: Michelle Gumede
Recycling
Is big business in Jozi for both the rich and the homeless. This trend is one that helps the homeless in Jozi make ends meet while businesses get to enjoy the long term benefits of responsible recycling.
SMART CITY DWELLERS: Recycling helps homeless people make extra money in Joburg. Photo: Michelle Gumede
RECYCLE, REDUCE, REUSE: Joburgers dispose dangerous batteries in safe and environmentally friendly ways. Local supermarkets put out these boxes to assist communal recycling. Photo: Michelle Gumede
Solar geysers
Residential spaces like Alexandra township have taken to installing solar geysers in their homes. This has resulted in lower electricity bills and of course a greener city.
GREEN HOUSEHOLDS: Many homes in the city supplement their electricity supply with solar power. Photo: Michelle Gumede
Chill out spots are greener than ever
The city has dedicated a whole department to oversee the 20 000 hectres of green open spaces that hosts over 2000 recreational parks, cemeteries and botanical gardens.
Currently, the Zoo has 326 species consisting of 2 096 specimens housed within 54ha area. The collection consist of 20 Amphibia (Frogs), 5 Arachnida (Spiders), 128 Aves (Birds), 47 Reptilia (Reptiles), 25 Osteichthyes (Pisces- Fish) and 101 Mammalia (Mammals).parks. this includes botanical gardens, the city zoo and cemetaries.
GREEN PUBLIC SPACES: Johannesburg has a variety of places like the Johannesburg Zoo, where people of all ages can hangout and spend time close to nature. photo: Provided
Sandton shutdown
The way Joburgers are so serious about going green, even the financial hub of Africa, Sandton City, is shutting down for the entire duration of October to cut down emissions. The EcoMobility World festival and exhibition is an initiative that aims to close down all roads. Only public transport, cyclists and pedestrians are allowed to use the streets.
ECO MOBILITY IN THE CITY: The streets of Sandton, the economic hub of Jozi, will be shut down in October. In a bid to cut down harmful emissions caused by heavy traffic. Photo: Provided
Mannequins
Woolworths Urban fashion store RE: has mannequins that are made from recycled materials. Now if that is not eco friendly then, what is?
EARTH FRIENDLY FASHION: Looking good and taking care of the environment are not mutually exclusive concepts in Johannesburg. Photo: Provided
Enough talk about green talk, Joburgers LOVE a bit of color!
Braamfontein, one of Johannesburg’s oldest suburbs, boasts a unique food culture with modern twists on hundreds of classic recipes. The 162-year-old suburb, which has undergone a 13 year process of urban renewal, has seen entrepreneurs transform abandoned buildings into trendy restaurant spaces, artisanal shops and business centres.
And, it doesn’t matter what time of the day you pop into the area, because there is always something to tickle your taste buds. Here are 19 must try food & drink treats:
1. Early birds’ breakfast: Post, on Juta, prides itself on feeding the early birds in Braam. Opening at 6:30am every weekday, this five-year-old cafe serves a flapjack, bacon, Greek yogurt, honey and fruit breakfast which is a crowd favourite. Owner Dave Hayes says it’s their “most popular breakfast on the menu,” and setting you back only R 42.00, it’s easy to see why.
2. Mid-morning coffee boost: If Friday night’s shenanigans give you a heavy head, pop into Double Shot coffee shop on Juta, for a boost of the Kenyan Masai espresso. “It tastes like gummy berry juice, with its black current and dark berry flavours,” says coffee connoisseur, Ori Cohen.
3. Pizza perfect: Your lunch plans will never go wrong with 86 Public‘s gourmet pizza and a glass of sparkling wine, on a sunny day in the Square on Juta.
4. Wholesome & healthy: If pizza isn’t your thing, try the Quinoa salad at Anti Est on De Beer Street. Rocket and mint leaves provide a fresh body to the dish, with a hint of sweetness from the peppadews and a tangy pop from the lemon dressing . Cashew nuts and goats cheese adds contrasting textures which give the salad a smooth and crunchy, yet rounded finish. Well worth R 99-00!
5. Cocktail complements: Despite its risqué name, their Porn Star Martini and a shot of sparkling wine pairs perfectly with the freshness of the salad.
6. Tea anyone? : Give afternoon traffic a skip and try Double Shot’s Earl Grey latte.
Cohen says the latte ” is really interesting and tasty, with milk, but you wouldn’t expect it or regret trying it.” We know we didn’t regret it!
7. Diner dinner: Ever heard of a deep fried Mac ‘n Cheese burger? Well, Mr. Big Stuff, located on Melle street, is a modern take on the classic American diner with its burgers and shakes. “We wanted to stay away from the hipster, cafe style trend,” says co-owner, Shane Durrant.“We don’t do a brie and cranberry burger, we do the diner classics!” Beef patty and a layer of deep fried mac ‘n cheese? Yes please!
8. Classic ‘shakes: And it wouldn’t be an American diner experience without a chocolate & peanut butter milkshake.
9. Gourmet burger: If you’re looking for something a little fancier, then The Burger at Anti Est is a must! Fluffy matchstick fries accompany a moist, handmade beef patty topped with roasted baby peppers and mozzarella cheese. “I created these flavour combinations so that when someone bites into the burger, their mouth is full of different flavours and not just the meat flavour,” says head chef, Alona Yizhaky.
10. Cocktail hour: Most delicious cocktail in Braam – Cousin Mary, also at Anti Est. A hint of vodka, a splash of gin, some fresh litchi and mint… Hello weekend!
11. Beer instead? If you prefer beer, then choose from a selection of craft beers at the Neighbourgoods Market on Juta, over the weekend.
12. Weekend spoils: The Neighbourgoods Market is a foodie’s heaven, but be sure you arrive early! So while you wait for opening at 9am, grab a sweet, sticky pretzel, covered in slivered almonds (R10) and a coffee at Daleah’s eatery down the road on De Beer Street.
13. Neighbourgoods Market: In the mood for a weekend cheat? Buy cake and eat!
There are countless sweet treats to get your hands on from a variety of cake, candy and patisserie stalls at the market.
14. JapaneseDim Sum: A savoury snack platter of four dumplings and a Hong Kong pear is well worth R50-00 at the market’s DimSumFest stall. Filled with crab & cream cheese, chicken & coriander and spinach & cream cheese, the dumplings are delicious, but the Hong Kong pear steals the show.
15. Hong Kong pear: “I wanted to make something that would showcase my creativity,” says chef, Canny Sbu Msongelwa, and that’s exactly what he did. Filled with spring onion, spicy chicken and cream cheese, the intriguing looking pear is surprisingly fluffy and flavoursome once you bite into its golden crust.
16. Crumbed chicken and fries: The market’s Sumtin Fresh stalllikes to keep the street food scene real with their fried chicken strips on a bed of fries, topped with cheese, mayo and a sweet chilli sauce.
And they might not do the chicken dance, but their chicken has them singing for customers all day:
17. Seafood Paella: It’s impossible to walk by Tutto Food Co. at the market and not stop for their seafood paella. They draw inspiration from Italian and French heritage and create what they call “Afro-Mediterranean” food.
18. Breads: Nothing can replace the taste and smell of freshly baked bread on the weekend. You can grab a loaf or two from a selection of breads at the market every Saturday and Sunday.
19. Sunday smoothie: There’s nothing like a refreshing fruit smoothie at the market on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Grab a cool one as you head home for a late afternoon snooze, as the weekend draws to a close.
Women in Braamfontein love their hair and are not afraid to try daring hairstyles. But living in the city means time is limited and hairstyles have to be easily maintained and look good for any occasion.
WILD HAIR: A woman’s hair is her crowning glory. Photo: Provided
From brightly coloured braids to cute bobs, hairstyles make a personal statement. And the women in Braamfontein make bold ones. Like any cultural expression, hair trends are constantly changing colour, length and texture. Personality, budget and bravery play a role in what kind of hair women choose to wear.
“Young and older women love changing their hair every other week, depending on their budget,” says Tendai Kumbula, a shop assistant in a popular hair extensions store on Juta street.
With over 15 hair salons in a five minute walk of each other, hair in Braamfontein is a competitive business.
One Wits 1st year student told WitsVuvuzela that she pays at least R450 monthly for the upkeep of her hair.
“I don’t mind spending on my hair because it makes me feel good,” she said.
Some of the most popular hair trends in Johannesburg are cornrows, bright hair colours, short pixies, braided bob and natural hair:
Cornrows
CRAZY CORNROWS: Variations with this hairstyle are limitless. Photo: Provided
Whether done using natural hair or adding extensions, this hairstyle is a timeless classic that is appreciated by both men and women alike. Celebrities like Alicia Keys and D’Angelo and Snoop Dogg have been known to rock this hair do. The beauty of it is that it can be plaited in a simple straight back fashion, or it can be styled with funky patterns, beads and colours. It can cost anything between R150 to R300. The plaits usually last for roughly two weeks but maintenance is really just spraying on moisturizer and brushing up the edges then you are good to go.
Bright hair color
SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND: Daring and bright hair colour is a favorite at the moment . Photo: Michelle Gumede
The trend of having brightly coloured hair has grown and transcends across hairstyles, textures and length.
“More and more women are feeling brave enough to experiment with unusual and striking colors like red and blonde” says Kumbula.
You can colour your natural hair with hair dye that goes for about R30 at any supermarket. You can opt to get extensions that are pre-coloured that cost about R200 or even purchase coloured wool to strut your favourite colour. Hot red, ivy green and piercing yellows are popping up on many heads around the city.
Mining Engineering student Moleseng Mokgosi has funky silver braids in her hair. Mokgosi says she was inspired by Rita Ora to go wild and edgy with her hair.
Short hair
THE HALLE BERRY LOOK: This hair do can turn any plain Jane into a Bond goddess. Photo: Serame Maishoane
Some people like to wear their hair short. “I believe that a hairstyle makes or completes an outfit,” says socialite and fashionista Serame Maishoane.
Maishoane says “the pixie cut does it for me.”
The pixie, also known as the ‘Halle Berry’, is short on the sides and has more length towards the top of the head. It’s easy to maintain and works for both a formal and casual look. Because it can be done using your own hair or a weave, the pixie can be brushed down or worn in a spiky style by adding a splash of gel or mousse. It is a bit pricey, one can pay any thing from R500 upwards.
Natural locks
AU NATURALE: Zimasa Mpenyama’s hair is her crown of glory. She leaves it in it’s natural state and wears it with pride because that is part of her authentic self. Photo: Rafieka Williams
Natural hair comes in different textures and lengths. You can dred it, comb it out into a fro, go for the unkempt urban look or add a bit of color to natural hair for some attitude. Natural hair is versatile and requires low maintenance. Cotton Curls is a hair care range that is developed especially for afro hair. “Our focus is on indigenous and locally sourced natural oils, clays and butters.” says co founder of Cotton Curls, Negin Naledi Monkoe. The range is used by many women in Braamfontein with afro textured hair.
This hairstyle can cost anything between R200 for a treatment at the hair salon or nothing by maintaining at home with regular washes.
Bobbed braids
CUTE BOB: This hairstyle looks good on most face shapes. Photo: Anelisa Thuswa
The bob braid is making a comeback. This medium length chunky braid can be worn with a side path or with a fringe. Maishoane says this is a look for young and funky peeps.
“The arty farties,” she says.
At R300 for both labor and hairpiece this look is cute and works with most face frames.
Whether male, female or any gender in between, our hair is an important part of your identity. No matter how much or how little hair you have, the way you wear it says a lot about your personality and character.
Even the flavored beer brand ‘Flying Fish’ picked up on how much people in Braamfontein love their hair and want to have fun with it. ‘Flying fish’ turned the bus stop on Jorrissen into a pop up barbershop. Professional barbers, high chairs, clippers and all.
Students were treated to a free haircut of their choice and a voucher for free six-pack of beer that they can redeem at any Shoprite Checkers liquor outlet. The event brought flavour to the ordinary and mundane.
“Not everyone is into beer but anyone can agree that a fresh new hairdo can do wonders to boost confidence” said Noxolo Ntsaba, a brand representative of Flying Fish.
Hair is the one thing that is constantly changing and so is the brand. “ We wanted people to bring more flavor to their hairstyles,” says Ntshaba
The down side of overtreating your hair with chemicals is they can stress the skull, which can lead to dryness and dandruff.
Kumbula recommends that ladies moisturize their hair daily and keep it clean with regular washes.
“Every once in a while, the hair needs a break and no chemicals or stress,” he said.
A Braamfontein student has warned others about being vigilant of a Nigerian con man who offers money in exchange for safeguarding his fake cocaine.
Jabulani Makoko*, a student at the Auckland Park AFDA found himself in a scam earlier yesterday when he agreed to safeguard 2kg of what appeared to be cocaine.
Makoko said that he was sitting by the stairs of the building opposite the Pick n’ Pay on Jorissen Street, in Braamfontein, waiting for a friend.
After a while a well-dressed Nigerian man came up to him, saying he needed help.
“I believe him yeah! Cause hey man he has the money here and he has 2kg of coke, which you’re not gonna leave with anybody, that’s worth a lot of money! So I trust him.”
Makoko said the man explained that he desperately needed his phone to make a call to meet a ‘white dude’ who would be upstairs in the building.
“I believe him yeah! Cause hey man he has the money here and he has 2kg of coke, which you’re not gonna leave with anybody, that’s worth a lot of money! So I trust him,” said Makoko.
The man offered Makoko R500 to hold the cocaine which he would pay the student when he returned. Makoko says he was “desperate for the money man! I was broke. And the guy came up to me now and made it sound so legit, here’s R500 bucks in cold hard cash.”
Makoko then gave him his cellphone, and the Nigerian man made a phone call in front of Makoko. The Nigerian man then said he needed to move closer to wherever the ‘white man’ would be watching him and he moved closer towards the street.
Makoko now says that was ‘my biggest mistake.’
Makoko says he was too busy looking at the ‘coke’ anxious about what he had gotten himself into, and not so far away from him were two female metro cops. Makoko says that’s when he began to panic but decided to remain silent.
“What if this is something that could possibly go wrong and I’m implicated in this,” said Maloko.
After 20 minutes Makoko realised the man was gone and after 30 minutes Makoko said he began to believe that the man is not coming back. After an hour Makoko says, “That’s when it hit me that ok this guy is not coming back and maybe this is not real coke.”
When Makoko’s friend arrived he related the whole story to her and she said to him there’s no possible way that someone would leave that much cocaine with him.
After two hours Makoko checked the bag of cocaine to discover cake flour, he then called his phone and it had been switched off. Makoko said he had assumed the cocaine was real.
“[I didn’t] really look at it to analyse if its baking powder or the real deal. You just know if it’s a Nigerian dude, it’s got to be real.”
Makoko said he was still fearful when he left the bag of ‘cocaine’ where he had been sitting.
Makoko said that the same con happened to a friend in Milpark.
The Joburg Ballet is proving yet again why it is considered the country’s largest and most prestigious professional ballet company, with its latest offering, the classic Don Quixote.
The romantic comedy is masterfully staged at the Joburg Theatre through vibrant costumes and scenery transporting the viewer into the world of 17th century Spain.
Don Quixote tells the story of a Don who is obsessed with finding adventure. On his quest for this adventure he meets the beautiful Kitri who is in love with a poor young barber, Basilio.
Kitri’s father does not approve of the match and has more ambitious marriage plans for her. The Don decides that Kitri is worth of his protection from all who may harm the young lady.
Prima-ballerina Burnise Silvius lived up to her reputation of being a vision of perfection, with every delicate move she made in the lead female role.
Jean Carlos Osma, as a toreador, and Javier Monier as a street boy, were notable as standout performers.
But despite the visual perfection of the dancers, their performances were not matched by that of the sound technicians at the theatre.
At times the music was too soft and transitions between tracks, usually seemless, were obvious to the audience. The sound issues were clearly distracting and broke the “illusion” of the imaginary world created through the performance.
Despite this though, the show remains a must see, and ends its run this Sunday, September 13.
The best in world bartending will be on show in Braamfontein tonight. World Class, known as the ‘World Cup’ of bartending competitions, will kick off in Joburg.
Tonight five bars that have been selected as the best in Johannesburg, have each been assigned a premium product. Specialised cocktails will be made from this and the competition winners will be measured using social media.
Anti Est. in Braamfontien has been selected as one of the five bars to take part in this event for World Class.
In attendance will be the best in the bartending business from across the world. It is the first time that this prestigious event is being held in Africa and over 50 countries take part.
According to Anti Est. bartender George Hunter, “World Class is the largest and most prestigious bartending competition out there. It is the World Cup of bartenders. It’s a platform to display pure passion, excitement and skill for your industry.”
Next week the bartender competitors from around the world will start performing challenges in Joburg, and will then progress to Cape Town where the final will be held.
The event will take place between 9 and 11pm and will include a raffle to be held on social media with a prize valued at R3000.
I would not recommend missing this one, as chances are this is a once in a lifetime opportunity right in our back yard.
The Orbit Jazz Bar in Braamfontein celebrated international jazz day with a focus on the people affected by xenophobia in South Africa.
JAZZ NIGHT: Thandi Ntuli and her bandmates came together to celebrate international jazz day at The Orbit. Photo: Michelle Gumede.
International jazz day came to Braamfontein on Thursday, March 30, with a performance by pianist Thandi Ntuli and her band. The global event created by UNESCO is aimed at celebrating the qualities and the virtues of jazz, but the local celebration also made use of the performance to collect donations for affected by the recent wave of xenophobia.
The Orbit, hosts of the event, partnered with local charity, Gift of the Givers, who have been working with displacement camps that are currently housing people left homeless through xenophobia.
For Ntuli it wasn’t just about performing on stage and asking people to donate to the charity, it was about using the event to make a difference.
“Am I going to say ‘Oh no’ those bad people or I am going to do something positive in light of what’s happening”, said Ntuli.
Audience members were asked to donate towels, non-perishable food items, disposable diapers, hygiene packs, winter clothes, and other items.
These would then be collected later by the organization who will distribute them to camps in Johannesburg and Durban.
Celebrating the beauty of jazz
The Orbit was filled to capacity for the evening’s celebration of jazz. Amaeshi Ikechi, the band’s bassist, said that for him jazz had started off as just as musical improvisation.
Sphelelo Mazibuko, the drummer, believes that jazz is an expressive language that transcends all other genres.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re young or if you’re old. It’s expressionate (sic), it’s fresh and it keeps growing,”said Mazibuko.
Perceptions of graffiti in Johannesburg range from it being beautiful artworks to malicious damage of property. Removal of graffiti is a difficult process and where to draw the line between vandalism and art is often difficult to find.
STREET ART: Graffiti on the corner of Henry and De Korte street, Braamfontein done by graffiti artist Rasty and crew. Photo: Samantha Camara
Hanre Heunis spends his time removing graffiti from other people’s property. The managing director of a local graffiti removal service, Heunis believes there is an artistic side to the practice of street art. He says many property owners think that graffiti is vandalism because they did not choose to have their walls defaced or tagged (when a new graffiti artist spray-paints their name on a wall to practice and develop their own style).
Property owners who have been the victims of repeated tagging often remove the tags because it makes their business premises look unprofessional or decreases the value of the property. “There is a fine line between being artistic and repeat tagging,” said Heunis.
There is a high concentration of graffiti in the inner city and removing it is a highly-skilled, specialised and expensive process, says Heunis. It involves chemical testing, high pressure water tanks and newly developed products that often need to be imported from the United Kingdom due to a lack of local manufacturing. Removal is also extremely labour intensive as more porous surfaces require more applications.
But perceptions are shifting especially when artists ask for permission, according to Vorster, an ex-Witsie who did his honours in Fine Arts. “If you wake up in the morning and someone’s tagged your window it sucks … get permission and do your art … you’ll be surprised how many people say yes.”
Graffiti artists find it exciting to work illicitly at night but it often means that the quality of the work decreases because there is less time and more pressure to get the work done in a short amount of time, according to Vorster.
The other side of the (street art) coin
ADDING COLOUR: Comic style graffiti done by American graffiti artist, Pose in De Korte street, Braamfontein. Photo: Samantha Camara
In Johannesburg there are a few designated walls for street art on Barry Hertzog Avenue and Empire Road but Brian* says these walls are mostly used for graffiti style advertising and the limited amount of wall space restricts the art.
One of Vorster’s first tags was a Vodacom telephone box, he saw it as a victory when the box was removed. Vorster now gets permission for his work and is often commissioned to do murals. One of his commissioned pieces was removed for safety reasons because people were constantly taking photos at the wall, which made the owner feel unsafe.
Brian* says he doesn’t mind his art being removed: “It [the art] has its lifespan. It doesn’t faze me, I just need to do more. For every one that is taken down, I need to put up another one.”
Witsies have spoken of their “disbelief” as they witnessed criminals mugging motorists and attacking fellow students in and around Braamfontein.
A group of four men have been targeting cars waiting in traffic next to Noswall Hall residence on Jan Smuts avenue this past week.
A male student, who asked to remain anonymous, said he saw the men running into traffic on Tuesday afternoon and initially could not understand what they were doing. Soon after, he saw them approach a car with its windows down.
“They reached in and stole his valuables. I got scared and realised they were mugging people in their cars who were stuck in traffic. I thought I’d be next so I just ran away,” he said.
Student Funeka Sibande said she had a similar experience last week when she was standing with a friend outside Noswall Hall.
“They came out of nowhere and were running between cars mugging people inside the cars. Two went to the passenger doors and two to the driver’s door taking anything they could see. I was in disbelief,” she said.
When they came back one of the muggers said: “We are not here for you guys.”
According to Sibande the mugger said: “We are targeting privileged people and whites in good cars.”
Minutes later they mugged “a white man in a Jeep who had his windows down”, Sibande said.
“They came out of nowhere and were running between cars mugging people inside the cars. Two went to the passenger doors and two to the driver’s door taking anything they could see. I was in disbelief.”
“We got away after that, they were dangerous. People need to be careful. Don’t leave your windows down and please don’t leave valuables where they can be seen,” she said.
This is just one of several muggings and “smash and grabs” that have been taking place in various areas around Braamfontein over the last two weeks.
Wits security and liaison manager, Lucky Khumela, said he was not aware of the gang outside Noswall Hall but would warn Wits security to be on the lookout and “increase security” in the area. He said he would also alert police in the area.
“Don’t leave your valuables. Lock your laptops and bags in your boot and keep cellphones out of sight. There is a rise in sporadic crimes in the area and we will do everything we can to keep our students safe,” he said.
Last week a red Volkswagen Polo was targeting students on Smit, Jorissen and Simmonds streets.
The vehicle is believed to have been involved in at least five muggings around the Braamfontein and Wits area.
On Saturday a female student was mugged of her cellphone by one of the assailants who distracted her and then climbed into the waiting red Polo driven by an accomplice and the two of them drove off.
The student ran to a guard who alerted other members of security in the area. According to Khumela, one of the security guards then saw the Polo waiting at a red traffic light on Simmonds street.
“He grabbed a metal pole and hit the back window and the side of the car as a way of trying to stop them from getting away,” said Khumela.
The car managed to get away but has not been seen in the area since.
BARING THEIR ROOTS: Saul Nossel and Noah Bamberger are two of the band’s original members. The band’s new EP, Routes, was just released and is available for free online. Photo: Roxanne Joseph
Johannesburg band Go Barefoot creates music that makes you want to dance. Described as a mixture of urban-African, jazz, rock and folk, they “really love” their city, a lot.
John Smith, a graphic design student at Vega, is one of the band’s guitarists, vocalists and a “Kenny G” lookalike. The other is Michael Dawson, an architecture student at the University of Cape Town. When he is not coaching soccer, Clive Vicker is Go Barefoot’s bassist. Saul Nossel, a third year music student at Wits, plays the drums and finally, Noah Bamberger, a second year applied computing student, plays the keys.
New kids on the block
The band are relatively new to the South African music scene and take example from other local groups, such as Desmond and the Tutus and Shortstraw, who organise and book their own gigs, manage their own tours and work together in everything they do.
“We take conventional and obvious sound, and don’t do that.”
Each of them brings a different set of influences and styles to the group, according to Nossel. Jazz, rock, blues folk, indie and electro are all thrown into the mix when writing a song and practicing for a show. They even have elements of maskandi genre, which Michael learnt from a busker on the street.
“But we’re very experimental,” Bamberger said. “We take conventional and obvious sound, and don’t do that.”
Their audience, they said, has changed from just their friends, to a variety of people. They cater to the up and coming generation, but want to reach out to places like Hillbrow, Soweto and Yeoville.
“Joburg is a progressive, but segregated place,” said Bamberger. “And we want to get out of that by partying together.”
Doing something different
Their music speaks to people of different races, classes and backgrounds. One of their favourite places to play is Braamfontein’s Kitchener’s because it is one of the “coolest and most integrated clubs” in the city.
“We love an audience that loves to lose itself, and who loves dancing. It hurts us if they don’t dance, we struggle to play if people just stand there,” Bamberger explained.
Both Nossel and Bamberger agree that they do not fit into the South African music scene, because they are “trying to do something different”.
“There’s no such thing as original music, only original combinations of it.”
They want to encourage fans to explore the inner city a bit more, and believe their music can help that happen.
Go Barefoot recently played a string of gigs across the city, from Melville to Greenside to Braamfontein, and are about to start a small national tour, starting with an “epic” show at Kitchener’s next weekend. They also just released an EP, called Routes, which, according to Nossel, is about “the routes we take and the roots we come from”.
Their EP, Routes, is available for download online.
A Wits security guard attempted to stop a car involved in a robbery while it was fleeing the scene of a robbery in Braamfontein on Saturday.
The vehicle, a red Volkswagen Polo, is believed to have been involved in at least five muggings around the Braamfontein and Wits area over the last week.
Saturday robbery
A female student, who asked to remain anonymous, was walking on Jorissen street when a man walked up behind her.
“He distracted me and then stole my cellphone right from my hands. It happened so quickly,” she said.
The robber then climbed into a waiting red Polo driven by an accomplice and the two of them drove off.
The student ran to a guard who alerted other members of security in the area. According to Campus Security and Liaisons manager Lucky Khumela, one of the security guards then saw the Polo waiting at a red traffic light on Simmonds street.
“He grabbed a metal pole and hit the back window and the side of the car as a way of trying to stop them from getting away,” said Khumela.
The car managed to get away but has not been seen in the area since.
Previous incidents
On Friday, the same car was involved in two muggings where two cell phones and a wallet were stolen. Khumela said most of the victims in the past week had been females.
Khumela has asked students to “keep an eye out” for the vehicle and to call the police or campus control if it is seen.
The number plate of the red Polo is WSW533 GP.
Crime around campus can be reported to Campus Control on (011) 717-444
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, […]
