I've never actually been to the base of the Hillbrow Tower, so not sure exactly where it is. But it's interesting that Louis Botha basically forms an invisible border between Parktown (which is not such a bad area) and Hillbrow (which is a mess!). The two areas are like chalk and cheese.

I once had to drop someone off in the middle of Hillbrow (I think it was Pretorius Street?) at night, and it was really kinda interesting. The area looked dodgy as hell, but the place was packed with people. It definitely still is a 24-hour suburb, just a suburb that's still unsafe and unclean.


I know that street, yes the place is still a 24 hour surburb. As I said before I'm going to meet with 2 of the JDA people who are gearing up Hillbrow's rehabilitation and will post feedback, on wednesday next week. There are a couple of buildings that are been fixed and the are some nice and clean ones but miost of them are occupied by Wits students. All Hillbrow needs in a 24/7 security and Pickitup must keep it clean as they are doing now.

A park next to the tower was being worked on the last time I was there. I hope its complete and the buildings in that vicinity are not bad at all. Security is the only issue.

The Hillbrow health Precinct seem to be comlete. The area is nice cool and clean, nothing spectacular.

Does anyone have any information regarding these renovation. What is that Building for?

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1050287-1.jpg

Hi Pule,
This is the 'walk in' centre for the JHB Council where one can pay bills, make enquires etc. I really really like this building, pitty the trees block it (but we do need the greenery)
Thanks once again for your great photos.

Thanks Luf, will try to take a proper shot when I get a chance to go that side of the city.

Reduction in Jhb crime
Published 30/08/2007


A significant reduction of crime since 2006 was the result of a strategic "clamp-down" conducted by the Johannesburg metro police and the SA Police Service, metro police said on Wednesday.

Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the joint strategy was put into place by Metro Police and the SA Police in July last year.

"We have confiscated more than 1000 illegal firearms and reduced armed robbery within the inner-city by 63 percent.

He said smash and grabs and theft out of motor vehicles were brought down to 51 percent. Motor vehicle thefts were reduced by 12 percent and a total of 2954 motorists were arrested for drunken driving.

"There were also 1881 fines issued to people with illegal electrical connections. They were bypassing their electrical meters and using current they were not paying for."

Almost 483 fines were issued for illegal advertising. "The joint effort between both organisations have proved to be a great success. We commend the efforts by police to clamp down on crime," Minnaar said.

Sapa

Hightex wins stadium roof contract ahead of 2010 FIFA Football World Cup

Industry Sector
Constr & Bldg Mats
Specialist construction group Hightex has signed a contract to provide the membrane roof as part of the upgrading of the First National Bank (FNB) Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The stadium, originally built in 1987, is the main home of the South African Football Association and it is expected to host the opening match as well as several first and second round matches, one quarter-final and the final match of the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup.

In preparation for the tournament, the City of Johannesburg has decided to upgrade the Stadium, and to increase its capacity from the current 78,000 seats to 104,000 seats.

Hightex, with its South African subsidiary Hightex Structures (Pty) Ltd, has been selected to execute the detailed engineering, fabrication and installation of the membrane structure, providing a total area of over 50,000 square metres and using a state of the art technical solution with Fluorpolymer coated glass fabric membrane.

The contract is worth approximately €7 million (£4.9 million).

Thursday, November 01, 2007

They still have got a lot to do in that area! Bertrams still looks as dodgy as hell (Hillbrow is perhaps even nice than Bertrams...), and the road works have resulted in traffic around the area being quite a mess!

They still have got a lot to do in that area! Bertrams still looks as dodgy as hell (Hillbrow is perhaps even nice than Bertrams...), and the road works have resulted in traffic around the area being quite a mess!


Read on Joburg's IDP, the place will be renovated and those illigal immigrants taken out. I think this is a good time for investors to buy as prices are for sure reasonable at the moment.

Aerial images, Orlando Stadium, coming soon

The taming of 7th Street
04 Nov 2007 - Inet Bridge -

Intro
Huge face-lift planned for Melville’s hub

By Isaac Mahlangu

Melville’s embattled residents and business owners have unveiled far-reaching plans to rescue the Joburg suburb from crime and grime.

Among the ideas in a proposal they plan to present to the Joburg council in January are an outdoor theatre at the Faan Smit Park in 4th Avenue and a “walk of fame” — which will honour famous people who have lived in the suburb — on 4th and 5th avenues.

The plan is primarily about turning 7th Street — the popular hang-out with restaurants, bars and coffee shops that inspired the SABC2 soapie 7de Laan — into a pedestrian-only street between 1st and 5th avenues.

The redevelopment plan, which was unveiled for the first time at a meeting on Monday at the Melville Junction Church, also proposes that 4th and 5th avenues be closed off to vehicles and possibly turned completely into pedestrian-only areas.

It has been suggested that vehicle access to 7th Street be restricted to weekdays from 8am to 5pm and on weekends from 8am to 2pm, but this is subject to a traffic impact plan expected to cost about R50 000.

Some side streets off 7th Street could become one- way streets, and an underground parking facility is planned at the Faan Smit Park on 4th Avenue.

In recent years Melville has become more dangerous , with more crimes and drunken revellers partying in the streets till the early hours of the morning.

Richard Tait, chairman of the Melville Residents Association, said: “The main problem is that there are too many establishments with liquor licences (which tend to operate mainly at night) and not enough day traders.”

He said bringing back more day traders would attract “a better quality clientele during the day — more along the lines of Parkhurst or the old Melville.”

Johann Strauss, who owns The Space guesthouse and Studio Gesso in 7th Street, said: “ The mix is not right anymore. We have too many bars and too many clubs.”

Nuno de Gouveia, a businessman and restaurateur who has been active in the Melville area since the mid- 1990s, said : “We have the type of guys who come here and have a plate of chips and five beers, then cause chaos.”

He said the suburb needed a face-lift to begin competing with Sandton and Melrose Arch.

“When I had my first restaurant in the area in 1994 , we were averaging R80 per person, but now we are averaging R45 per person. ”

Joburg spokesman Nthatisi Modingoane said that, while the city “does not encourage residents to develop their own precinct plans ... residents are not prohibited from developing these plans” if they fitted in with the city’s development framework.

Sunday Times

Sounds great, thanks Pule. Like the idea of 7th but i would like to see it always closed to traffic, could really be cool, with say a fountain or benches etc, what you guys think?

Over the years, mainly this year i have also see the area really go down: cars being broken into, muggings and i even heard of a few rapes. Really hope the city passes this.

Yeah, its gonna be closed to traffic and I hope the Joburg City Council accelerates their approval process. We need those kind of places in Jozi.


BY the way gents, I tok an hour walk into the CBD today. Big ups to Mayor Masondo for making sure that the rejuvenation accelerates at its pace. I was told by the person I was with that even some buildings close to Noord taxi rank have received life. I think we miss more of these developments when we in our cars and all we need to do is to walk the city and see all these good thins that are happening.

I think it's a great idea too! I know people who do not like going to the restaurants on 7th at night because at about 10pm you get the parade of supped-up cars blarring out bad music.

I have created a thread about the 7th Avenue Pedestrianisation.. go check it out guys in the the projects section.

A walking tour of the CBD sounds like a great idea. Think sunday would be the best time, less people and traffic so one could really take the time to look at everything.

I guess saturday will be best but the problem is the commitment from the guys. We have spoken about this before but no one committed.

There are plenty of highlights in new residential developments – but lack of progress in some areas count as lowlights for the year.


November 5, 2007
By Neil Fraser

I WANTED to do a review of residential this week but I see that I covered the subject quite fully just some months back. So let me just provide some residential high and lowlights and then link future residential to last week's topic – transportation.

Thanks, by the way, for the many comments received in reply to last week's Citichat, both supportive and critical. We need more debate!

Firstly, then, residential highlights. The rejuvenation of the Jeppe, Bree, Plein Streets' middle income strip; the move eastward towards End Street/Doornfontein; the strong recovery of Braamfontein, both in regard to student accommodation and quality middle-income, and the higher-income developments at the western end of Marshall and Anderson Streets. Public environment upgrading in Hillbrow and Berea should be starting early next year, although a great deal of building upgrading appears to be happening already, with a great deal more needed. (I believe that the Ponte re-development is sold out, which should act as a strong catalyst for the area. To think that ten years ago, the previous owners were applying for rezoning to a jail!)

Lowlights are the lack of progress in residential development on City-owned land in Newtown and Constitution Hill and a bunch of middle- to higher-income private sector central city developments around Commissioner and Diagonal Streets that just never seem to progress. There has been no progress this year at all with the Better Buildings Programme, which I hear is about to undergo a dramatic change that one can only hope is really going to be for "the better"! But why the interminable delays?

If one then looks forward, there is the continuing huge need for solutions to be found for integrated residential development across economic and racial barriers and a solution to the continuing problem of so many people living in sub-standard accommodation. Said Richard Daley, Mayor of Chicago: ".......We require that 20 percent of units be affordable in residential developments that receive city assistance. We demolish run-down homes or apartment buildings and turn them over to developers of affordable housing. Then we provide a subsidy that allows the developer to reduce the purchase price and still make a profit. We replace dangerous, unsafe high rises with mixed income communities, ending the isolation that has trapped residents in a cycle of poverty and failure."

Hopefully the current City programme of constructing "temporary accommodation" will allow for releasing residents similarly trapped in the not too distant future but I worry about the apparent lack of scale.

However, the biggest influence on how the future city will look and work relates to its transport-related residential component. One of the really important outcomes of a decent transportation system is the impact that it will have on the siting and massing of development. I think this has been recognised by the powers-that-be in the opportunities that will be offered for bulk and density but I don't think that is enough. We also have to have the guts to implement some meaningful interventions and I'm not sure that we are brave enough nor equipped to go that far.


Increase in inner city living
The past five years have already witnessed a massive increase in inner-city residential living because the market has reacted to the huge pent-up demand, skewed by decades of apartheid planning, for decent accommodation close to employment. But this has largely been through seizing opportunities to convert empty commercial or degraded residential into middle-income housing.
Surely the new transportation systems must lead to transit-oriented development on a far more imaginative and broader scale, requiring public and private sectors to work far closer together to create mixed use environments close to public transport. That requires developers to be working with public transportation authorities to plan for a diversity of development, including a wide range of housing types to suit all kinds of economic circumstances within an environment of a greater proliferation of open space and which encourage walking and cycling.

Several lessons of transit-oriented development have emerged from other countries – we need to learn from them.

Recently, I read an article on the "inextricable role" that planning needs to play in the development of transit in China (41 000 kms of expressway in 2006 ,which by 2020 will exceed 85 000. That's bad news as far as I'm concerned – last year China added 1 000 new cars a day to its roads!) but its railway system will extend to 100 000 kms by the same time. Some 11 265 of those will be rapid rail connections between provincial capitals and main cities, including a 174 km $1.2 billion high-speed train between Shanghai and Hangzou.

The article also contained the following statement, somewhat sobering because it's so close to the bone: "The scale and breadth of this investment in infrastructure are unprecedented, and understanding its ramifications is difficult for many, especially for Westerners more accustomed to Governments that only begrudgingly support mass transit. While these figures are singularly impressive, the official reported projections may be somewhat inflated. What provincial governments announce – and what is actually implemented – is not always the same. Statistics, reliable or otherwise, are hard to come by. Indeed, for all its recent openness, China is still known to guard and manipulate information it gives to the public, especially information it considers to involve the greater good of the citizenry."

If you read last weekend's Sunday Times "Survey on the City of Johannesburg", you will know that China is not alone in this approach. An article in the survey, "Public Transport Revolution Planned", was dominated by a picture of existing Metro buses (The caption read: "The present bus system will be turned into what is known as Bus Rapid Transport". I would call that not only gross misrepresentation but a miracle, rather than a revolution!). The City missed a great opportunity to start building enthusiasm and a common understanding of the BRT proposals and of the impact they will have on the city and its citizens – an impact that could make us into the really great African city of world class status. But do we have the vision to go beyond ourselves?

This City should stop treating its citizens as dumbos and turn what is without doubt a critical intervention into an opportunity to get everyone to buy in and rebuild civic pride. This is the biggest single opportunity that the city has embraced since the discovery of gold and I would have employed some of the genius of a Jaime Lerner, Richard Rogers, Renzo Piano, Norman Foster, Santiago Calatrava, maybe even a Frank Gehry, to lift everyone's sights to what could be and to excite and motivate even the dourest and most doughty of critics.

Ciao, Neil

This looks interesting...

The Johannesburg Boom Town Bus Tour:
https://www.computicket.com/booking/computicket/ClickItem/?ci=S~EVENT_TYPE~5501095

'Don't miss this chance to see the development that is really bringing life back into the city. Mostly on bus, we will across the city and we will also take a stroll along the Main Street Mall. Bring your December visitor to explore jaunty "Jozi" and let them feel the vibe."

I wil definately be there.

Thanks Joburg, Sounds awsome! Ill deff be there with some buddies. We should all make a mission of it, like a kind of SCC meet?
Cant wait to get some shots of the CBD!

Thanks Joburg, Sounds awsome! Ill deff be there with some buddies. We should all make a mission of it, like a kind of SCC meet?
Cant wait to get some shots of the CBD!

Good idea Luf, SCC meet.

I shall be in Japan on that date, unfortunately.

How about we do some kind of tour on World Aids Day - December 1st? It's a Saturday.

I shall be in Japan on that date, unfortunately.

How about we do some kind of tour on World Aids Day - December 1st? It's a Saturday.

I might be in Durbs for Telkom Finals between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.

pick a date and let me know - I am a working one, of course, but would love to be a part of this!

I shall be in Japan on that date, unfortunately.

How about we do some kind of tour on World Aids Day - December 1st? It's a Saturday.

Do explain more, please. :yes:

Sometimes I wonder if Japan is a no-South African zone or something. :ohno:

I have a friend who is teaching English in Sapporo, so going to visit her there. Also going to Tokyo (over New Year - yeeha!) and to Nara, which is seemingly around the corner from both OSaka and Kyoto. Soooooo excited, dude. What are you doing there?

How is the 24th of November ppl? Next week Saturday.

I have a friend who is teaching English in Sapporo, so going to visit her there. Also going to Tokyo (over New Year - yeeha!) and to Nara, which is seemingly around the corner from both OSaka and Kyoto. Soooooo excited, dude. What are you doing there?

How is the 24th of November ppl? Next week Saturday.

You should open a thread once you return. Want to go to Beijing/Thailand next year but thinking that maybe Japan should be an option too.

I have a friend who is teaching English in Sapporo, so going to visit her there. Also going to Tokyo (over New Year - yeeha!) and to Nara, which is seemingly around the corner from both OSaka and Kyoto. Soooooo excited, dude. What are you doing there?

How is the 24th of November ppl? Next week Saturday.

Sounds great mate... Looking forward to seeing some pictures! Japan is a place i have been wanting to go to for years.

We should open a holiday snaps thread. I'll be in Cambodia next week.

Ok will do indeed!

Also gonna try keep my blog updated.

Ok will do indeed!

Also gonna try keep my blog updated.

remember, its all about taking photos of stadia! lol. get some free promotional goodies of the tokyo 2016 olympic bid too.

Gents, I will be in the Vaal tommorow, can some one please get us photos of Pick n Pay's 94.7 cyling? Please please.

I went, with my colleagues, to Newtown's SAB's World of Beer and I love it, love it and love it. We set at a bar over looking Joburg's skyline and Newtown itself. The good thing is that even the naysayers are noticing what's happening in the city and they can't believe it.

Gents you owe yourselves a Newtown tour.


Sci-Bio in Newtown

I don't know where to put it I thought this will be the best place as it might create discussion.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1050673.jpg

finally they are working on sci-bono

And they are very busy. Its like they rushing for something.

They should rush... that site has been standing for years - with the blue crane and all.

Here is my new SSC mission. Who can help me out. Dont know how many of you know the Death of Joburg blog. Go check it out. Rascist. Insulting. outdated.

My mission:

To take pictures of the exact streets, houses, buildings featured in this vile, hateful blog. and to proove once and for all that it is outdated, uninformative, untrue and corrupt. The streets are given, the buildings might be more difficult to find - due to the renovations (many of them are unrecognisable). if anyone could help me with this, it would be great! I am planning to post these with the old pics - so that we can see that this real realist dude is a liar.

Any takers? I am buried at the office, but would like to organise a day-trip to jozi soon. Cant make saturday - work work work. But maybe soon? let me know.

Remember I said we must do something like that? Pule created a blog, actually - the daily photo Joburg blog - but we couldn't figure out how to post stuff. We must get it going again, no?

I would do it but I don't travel through the city often enough. I'd end up taking photos of Louis Botha Avenue everyday. hehe

I thought Death Of Joburg was dead though? In any case, it only really attracts the same losers who frequent other racist and bigoted websites on the net. Anything to show that the white race is dying. Drama and skandaaaal stuff, you know.

drama indeed. The fact that DOJ has pics of the drill hall in the new photos section pisses me off. but yes, it is going - convincing people of what they want to believe.

I'm up to it gents. Lets show this bustard what we made of and I think that website is dead. You are welcomed to use my pics anytime.

drama indeed. The fact that DOJ has pics of the drill hall in the new photos section pisses me off. but yes, it is going - convincing people of what they want to believe.

What's DOJ?

This is a good read, more is planned for Jozi and we gonna see more and more projects next year.

We need to turn Joburg's inner city into a "good space", a place where people will want to hang out and have fun. The Inner City Regeneration Charter has got the ball rolling.


November 19, 2007
By Neil Fraser

I'M writing this Citichat in Port Elizabeth, where the Mandela Bay Development Agency is putting the finishing touches to the first phase of upgrading Govan Mbeki, the main street through the CBD.


The upgraded street will be opened at the end of the month and the second phase will be started in the new year. Walking through the almost completed streetscape reminded me of this comment by Allan Jacobs - "If we can develop and design streets so that they are wonderful, fulfilling places to be - community-building places, attractive for all people - then we will have successfully designed about one-third of the city directly and will have had an immense impact on the rest." This is also a good introduction to today's year-end review.

Year-end reviews one and two looked at two of the major visual changes we can anticipate in the inner city - those brought about by a new transportation system (the Bus Rapid Transit system, or BRT) and those, largely, emanating from it, dense residential accommodation. But what about the base off which these are to be provided; what about the streetscapes?

At present, they are not very pretty. I find it constantly embarrassing taking visitors through the city and pointing out the real progress that has been made, and then asking them to "watch their step" as they walk over pavements with missing paving slabs and pavers and, even more dangerous, skirting manholes with no covers.

Adding value
The value of upgrading our public infrastructure has been experienced over the past few years through four urban upgrade projects, all inspired and largely funded and maintained by the private sector - Gandhi Square, Braamfontein, Anglo American Corporation's Main Street pedestrianised precinct, and Main Street itself.

A number of others, some private- and some public-sector inspired, are at various stages of progress. The "legal precinct" around the High Court, the pavements around the Fashion Kapitol building now under construction in the fashion district in Pritchard Street, the pavements around Jewel City and at the entrances to and within the Ellis Park precinct and the Hillbrow health precinct all bear testimony to public space revamping.

Capital budget
The Inner City Regeneration Charter has recognised the need and value of the urban environment, anticipating providing a substantial spend on "walkable streets". A charter-related report states: "On 18 May 2007, the mayoral committee approved the City's capital budget for the 2007/08 financial year … of which R300-million was allocated to the inner city specifically for the upgrading of physical infrastructure and public environment.

"One of the outcomes from the 2007 Inner City Summit process has been the further allocation of R300-million exclusively towards improvement of the inner city. The main objective of the additional funding is to support the City's strategic agenda to significantly upgrade the public environment and to improve the quality of the built environment by implementing housing developments.

"The rationale is to target a focused area in the inner city on a block-by-block basis and to implement a full range of public environment upgrades, relating to the classification and function of the particular street. The City can, therefore, systematically over the next financial years roll-out this programme and not only significantly improve the physical quality, but also link these interventions to focused urban management interventions."

That is really very good news.

Immediate focus
In the immediate term the focus is on Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville. It is recognised that these areas have some of the worst urban environments in the inner city and yet have the highest population densities. Prioritising these areas over those in the CBD itself also takes into account that the BRT will disrupt many of our CBD streets, whereafter attention will have to be paid to road and footway replacement anyway.

Professional teams have already been appointed to provide "a comprehensive inner city streetscape/public environment plan" for the Hillbrow/Berea/Yeoville areas by December, just a couple of weeks away. That means that tenders will be called for early in 2008 and work can commence immediately thereafter.

Another related charter project is more long term - "upgrading of identified priority streets and precinct areas will be implemented" by December 2009. That's just two years away. I'm not sure what "priority streets" means but if it encompasses attending to the many, many degraded pavements throughout the core CBD area, it cannot be soon enough.

I understand that a basic grading of roads has been done which classifies the range of elements that could be included in an upgrade, such as paving, pedestrian lighting, street furniture, swivel bins, infrastructure upgrading, public transportation facilities and public art. It is provisionally estimated that R850 000 per 100m street length will be needed for streets classified as public movement routes; R600 000 for activity streets; and R300 000 for residential streets.

This translates into approximately 150 city blocks to be targeted for public environment upgrades with a budget allocation of R150-million. Clearly the reason for many decades of neglect previously has been cost but 2010 is spurring on the need to get our public environment in order.

Good news
But other good news in the charter is that feasibility and business plans for the development of a number of "key iconic public place projects" must be finalised by March next year. Such places include Old Park Station and the Gauteng provincial government square. Both have been allowed to become major eyesores yet have tremendous potential. Both are owned by other government or parastatal bodies - the Park Station building is owned by Transnet while the latter area is a provincial government responsibility.

It really is a pain when levels of government other than local, add to the degradation of the city, so it is good to know that within four months there will be a plan for at least these two. We need to add the Rissik Street Post Office and the old police barracks in Marshall Street to the list of projects demanding action, and a large number of others. The City, to its credit, is dealing with the much-neglected Governor's House next to Constitution Hill.

And what about my great concern voiced over the last year - more and better urban green space? Well, the following answer is spelled out in the charter:

An implementation plan for a coherent approach to upgrading and maintaining existing but currently dysfunctional open spaces and parks is to be completed by December and to be rolled out between then and March 2009.
The identification of possible new spaces is to be completed by March 2008 - related feasibility studies and business development plans are to be completed by July 2008 and management agreements in place by September 2008.
Key public open space interventions to be investigated by March 2008 include the Braamfontein cemetery; a park at the base of the Hillbrow Tower; a major park east of the high court and west of Joe Slovo Drive and public open spaces to be created on the southwest corner of the CBD, close to Standard Bank.
I gather that the intention is also to upgrade social facilities such as parks and recreation centres if they are situated on a street that is targeted for upgrading.

Good spaces
Project for Public Spaces, an American organisation that works with partners all over the world, compiled these tips for creating good places. One hopes that those entrusted with the urban design of our proposed new urban spaces take heed - and particularly of the last point.

Good places promote sociability
These are the spots where you run into people you know, where you take friends and family when you want to show them the neighbourhood. These places become the heart and soul of the neighbourhood because they offer people many different reasons to go there.
Good places have lots of things to do
The places people love most are the ones where they can pursue a variety of activities. Without opportunities to do something more than sit and look around, the experience you have in that place is "thin" -- there is nothing to keep you there for any length of time.

Good places are comfortable and attractive
They beckon you to visit. Flowers, comfortable benches with a nice view, and attractive lighting all make you feel this is a place you want to come to often. In contrast, a place that lacks these kinds of amenities often feels unwelcoming and a bit threatening. It may actually be unsafe or just feel unsafe, but either way no one wants to be there.

Good places are accessible
These places are clearly identifiable from a distance, easy to enter when you get closer, and it is simple to understand how you use them. A space that is not accessible will be end up empty, forlorn and often dilapidated.

Good places are inspired by the people who live there
The big question is, of course, how do you begin to create the good places that every neighbourhood craves? What process can you use to build spots where people want to hang out? Long experience has shown us that bottom-up rather than top-down strategies to create or revitalise public spaces work best. This approach is based on the simple idea that the people who live in a neighbourhood are the world's experts on that particular place. Any project to improve things should be guided by the community's wisdom, not the dictates of professional disciplines. This is the most important lesson about making great neighbourhoods we have learned in 30 years of work.

A couple of weeks back a tour driver listening to my upbeat patter on the future of the city stopped me as we drove through the mayhemic Jeppe Street and asked if I was serious about the environmental upgrading. "It will never happen here!" he said - we need to prove him wrong.

Duplicate post removed.

TALES FROM JOZI: A PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDY
13 November 2007

http://web.wits.ac.za/NR/rdonlyres/63497DCA-F6C1-424E-8543-C7356F01C3E0/22343/TalesfromJozi200.jpg

When, in 2004, the City of Johannesburg decided to evict Katherine Ntsoe (1955 – 2006) from her home, she got her lawyer to write down the story of her life. Here follows an extract from her story recorded by Stuart Wilson and published in Tales of Jozi: A photographic study, p. 78-79. (2007):

“For the past nine years I have done piecework cleaning, washing and ironing in a number of houses in Yeoville, Berea and Bellevue. I now work three days a week, washing and ironing in a house in Yeoville. I earn R230 a month.

I have never married but have a daughter who is now 19 years old. She does not live with me as my house is too small. She lives with my sister in Rustenberg. I send R100 every month for her school fees and visit her during school holidays I have enough money. My home is about three metres by three metres in area. It contains a bed and my clothes.

Katherine is one of 130 women, men and children living in a series of derelict, abandoned properties on Joel Street, Berea. The occupants of the properties eke out a living as informal traders, trash recyclers, petrol pump attendant, security guards and cleaners in the inner city. The money they earn from these occupations is not enough to rent a decent flat. Nor is it enough to commute each day from one of the informal settlements or townships to the city’s edge. The makeshift homes they occupy in the city are all they can afford.”

Authored by well-known photographer, Jurgen Schadeberg, this 160-page hardcover book offers a glimpse into the contrasting world of Joburg that many of us who live in the City often do not see. “

“Tales from Jozi: A photographic study is a photographic essay of life in Johannesburg,” says Prof. Cathi Albertyn, Director of the Centre for Applied Legal Studies. “It reveals Jozi as a city of contrast and difference. The vibrancy and diversity of Joburg frame the stark disparities of income and poverty that characterise Africa’s richest city.”

She adds: “CALS supported this project to bear witness to the lived realities of Joburg’s inner city poor in the context of enormous wealth and opportunity. Both are the face of Joburg and both are entitled to live a life of dignity, equality and human rights. This book provides a measure of how far we have to go.”

Particular mention is made of the plight of the inner city poor in this book. Many of the individuals and communities featured in the book have benefited from CALS research, advocacy and litigation interventions.

Schadeberg’s photographs are enhanced with text by Stephan Hofstatter (investigative journalist and writer); Mak Manaka (poet, performer, writer); Lebo Mashile (poet, performer, media personality); Carole Rothlisberger (magazine editor and writer); Colin Jiggs Smuts (novelist, educator and cultural activist); Stuart Wilson (researcher at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies); Gringo Wotshela (writer and film-maker). The book was published in partnership with the Centre for Applied Legal Studies at Wits University.

Jurgen Schadeberg was born in Berlin in 1931 and, while still in his teens, worked as an apprentice photographer for a German press agency in Hamburg. In 1950 he immigrated to South Africa and became Chief Photographer, Picture Editor and Art Director on Drum magazine. Since then he has been working in and about South Africa, capturing pivotal images on film. Today, he remains a principal figure in South African and world photography. His major body of work, which spans 55 years and incorporates a collection of some 100,000 negatives, captures a wealth of timeless and iconic images.

This high-quality book is published by Protea Bookhouse and was released in July 2007. The approximate cost of the book is R250

Looks like we have another Pace development. Not sure what it is or where it is because their websites seem to be down, but I'm assuming given it's New York name it will probably be in Braamfontein like all the other New York-styled developments they have there..

Keep an eye on this one... http://www.pacerez.co.za/thebrooklyn

cool

I went, with my colleagues, to Newtown's SAB's World of Beer and I love it, love it and love it. We set at a bar over looking Joburg's skyline and Newtown itself. The good thing is that even the naysayers are noticing what's happening in the city and they can't believe it.

Gents you owe yourselves a Newtown tour.


Sci-Bio in Newtown

I don't know where to put it I thought this will be the best place as it might create discussion.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1050673.jpg

great building

It is a beautiful building, and it will add to the atmosphere in newtown when completed. This links to the restored turbine hall. Newtown is ful of architectural gems, and once they are restored it will be awesome. Mostly 1930's and 1940's industrial stuff.

but there is also a drawback. it takes ages to approve developments because of the significance of many of these buildings.

It is a beautiful building, and it will add to the atmosphere in newtown when completed. This links to the restored turbine hall. Newtown is ful of architectural gems, and once they are restored it will be awesome. Mostly 1930's and 1940's industrial stuff.

but there is also a drawback. it takes ages to approve developments because of the significance of many of these buildings.

Radio 702 reported today that new offices will be opened today to accelerate approval of buildings. JDA told me the other day that there's plenty of buildings that need to be approved and the slow pace of approval is causing impact. Therefore all this simply means that 2008 will be a year where joburg will be full of dust from more renovated buildings.

Year-end review 5 - the good and the horrid

November 26, 2007
By Neil Fraser

NOW to fill in the bits and pieces - looking back at some of my projections for 2007, I see that we have fallen short in regard to anticipated progress on a quite a number of fronts, which is rather disappointing.

In Newtown, no physical progress is evident on Transport House, two, three and six Central Place and the proposed Majestic mixed-use complex opposite the Market Theatre. Some of these projects were delayed because of heritage requirements but, to my knowledge, these were sorted out quite some time ago. So where's the hold-up?

The common thread that runs through these projects is the Johannesburg Property Company, wholly owned by the City, and one can't help but surmise that it is part, if not more, of the source of the delay. The other possibility is that the delay has been so long - certainly the Central Place projects and the Majestic were announced about two years ago - that developers may well have opted out for more practical alternatives.

The Sci Bono phase two extensions have resumed after a long delay and the World of Beer, Bus Factory and Turbine Hall refurbishments are completed and in operation. Also complete are the Quinn Street apartments, while a major new residential project to its west, The Sidings, should start in the next few months.

Activity in Diagonal Street centres on the refurbishment of AA House and 11 Diagonal Street from commercial premises to offices for financial institutions FNB and Absa, respectively. Opposite, The Franklin conversion to residential still appears to be limping along.

New building

In Ferreirasdorp, just west of the magistrates’ courts, excavations and foundations are proceeding at pace on the new headquarters for the Zurich insurance group. This will be the first new major commercial office building in the inner city for a very long time - probably 20 years. The building will no doubt be the catalyst for the much-needed revival of that part of the city. The adjacent Chinatown urban upgrade proposals appear to have stalled completely - hopefully they will form part of the general inner city urban environment upgrading proposal in the Inner City Regeneration Charter.

Moving east, the Anglo American Corporation parking garage has been completed and put into operation, as has the adjacent four-star sectional title development Mapungubwe Hotel Apartments (the previous French Bank building). This area has also spawned some interesting residential refurbishments from office space, including Isibaya House, Loveday Place, Harrison Place and the Dogon and Ashanti. On the southern edge of the inner city, Standard Bank has bought what has become known as the Ussher site. It adjoins its campus and I believe the professional team has been appointed, so one may see some movement in the next year to 18 months.

But what is happening in regard to the Gauteng provincial government precinct? After all the ballyhoo about underpasses and giant public squares and the furore created by plans to demolish heritage buildings - subsequently overturned - there has been nothing but a deafening silence. Surely the provincial government owes it to the people who use the inner city to advise them what its plans are for the buildings and the historic square that it now owns?

Beyers Naude Square remains a disgrace years after ownership passed to the provincial government - the very least it could do is demolish the atrocious structures that border its north and south sides. Then there is the pitiful situation of the Rissik Street Post Office, now in the ownership of the provincial legislature. It must be at least 10 years since the building was vacated and it still stands as evidence of government neglect - the added tragedy is that developers who were keen to restore the building into public life would have already done so and we would have an asset instead of a memorial to "demolition by neglect".

The Barbican

Directly opposite, another great building from our past, the Barbican, also quietly rots but at least the owners have been working on plans to refurbish the building as part of a major new project for the city - maybe 2008?
South of these historic buildings, a great deal of activity is apparent on the corner of Market and Rissik streets in the conversion of the existing Aegis / St Andrews buildings into residential / hotel accommodation. But little progress is apparent on the Corner House development now in progress for four or more years.

The CNA and Shakespeare House buildings appear to have been abandoned by their developer - the only flurry of activity was in erecting a hoarding at least a year or more ago. On the other side of Commissioner Street, 87 Commissioner is really looking great now that it has been spruced up and has a fancy new restaurant set to open shortly.

Further southeast, the old police barracks in Marshall Street stands as another burned out ruin while the national government dithers about its future and would-be refurbishers grind their teeth in frustration. Next to it, in Eloff Street and further north in Fox Street, some great refurbishments have been completed or are under way by Gerald Olitzki.

The public environment upgrading around the high court is well advanced, as is the area around Fashion Square in Pritchard Street. The same can't be said about the square itself, which should have been completed months ago but now looks like facing a 2008 opening. Both the Carlton and Southern Sun hotels remain vacant - at least design work on the latter is fairly well advanced. Next to the Carlton Centre a new residential conversion has been announced - the Brooklyn, which appears to be the previous Colosseum building.

The new R1,1-billion addition to the Absa campus is progressing rapidly and the urban upgrade around Jewel City is looking good.

Much activity

The Jeppe-Bree-Plein Street corridor has been the scene of much activity, with a great deal of upgrading, refurbishment and use conversion in evidence. Work has started in the eastern precinct, below New Doornfontein, on a number of residential and housing projects and is progressing around the Ellis Park precinct.
Conversion of 120 End Street from offices to residential is being billed as the world's largest such project and will provide 924 flats, a 6 000m² shopping centre, a 500m² gym and a 400m jogging track. A swimming pool is already part of the complex.

At R100-million, the Gautrain Station is advancing steadily but nothing exciting has happened in the Joubert Park area. Braamfontein has witnessed a number of residential projects coming on stream this year and the new Metro Centre visitors’ building looks as though it is ready to be occupied.

There is still some urban upgrade work proceeding in the Hillbrow health precinct, while the restoration work and paving being done at the Fort is starting to look spectacular. This Constitution Hill project was slated to have a hotel, museum and tourism centre, offices and flats, but progress remains mired in bureaucracy - nothing has happened for a number of years.

Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville are in line for a much needed make-over, as reported last week, this will probably start early next year. The sectionalised Ponte flats have been sold out.

Service delivery

And service delivery? Last week, the results of the Customer Satisfaction Survey carried out by the Bureau of Market Research of the University of South Africa - it carries out the survey on behalf of the council - were released. If 50 percent is the breakeven between satisfaction and dissatisfaction only 43,6 percent of residents were happy with the service delivery provided, which is down from the previous year's 45,7 percent.

In contrast, there is an improvement among businesses, with the figure at 49,6 percent as compared to 40,5 percent last year. How would you sum up inner city progress in 2007? Well, this year the inner city reminds me of the little girl in the ditty from my youth: "There was a little girl and she had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good she was very, very good, but when she was bad she was horrid."

Cheers, Neil

Not good to hear about CNA and Shakespeare House developments 'being abandoned.'

The last time I went past Shakespeare House there were most definitely construction workers working on the building. Anyone know anything? Urban Ocean has been quiet this year..

Incase anyone is interested... once the Lion King is done at the Teatro Montecasino, Swan Lake on Ice will be performed for about a month, after which Chicago will be returning. This is the second time it has been in Joburg - the first time being at the Nelson Mandela Theatre.

Burger Jacks is now open at Corner Marshall and Simmonds. A new Coffee Shop has opened from today at Corner Anderson and Simmonds.

Not good to hear about CNA and Shakespeare House developments 'being abandoned.'

The last time I went past Shakespeare House there were most definitely construction workers working on the building. Anyone know anything? Urban Ocean has been quiet this year..

There is no activit there, its very dissapointing.

As Neil said gents Joburg is buzzing with life as work progresses from corner to corner.
Work is actually proceeding in Constitution Hill.

I would love to see something being done at Joubert Park, I think the municipality should take a first step by replacing pavements and also include public art as part of the project.

My favourate is a Lambo but gents, this gives you something to think about especially while you in traffic on M1 North. Those with money are already rolling in them.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1050782-1.jpg

Take an artistic drive north


A mammoth metal sculpture stands guard over William Nicol Drive; a Zulu shield, a sail, an Aids ribbon, or all three - it transforms through the day.


November 26, 2007
By Lucille Davie

MOTORING down William Nicol Drive will never be the same again. A 14m high metal artwork has been erected in front of a new residential block, and what was once a road to Sandton City and further, is now an artistic experience.

The artist, who is also an architect, Lewis Levin, specialises in kinetic sculpture - in other words, moving sculpture. And this particular sculpture consists of a large, three-legged, curved structure, looking a little like a wonderful extraterrestrial creature. Within the upper section are several suspended concentric leaves that revolve, catching the light.

Levin was commissioned to do the artwork by Abalengane, a property development and financial services company. The sculpture is outside the new block it has developed, on the corner of William Nicol Drive and Second Avenue in Hyde Park.


http://www.joburg-archive.co.za/images_2007/nov/lewislevin000.jpg
There are various ways of viewing Lewis Levin's work


Chief operating officer of Abalengane, Ashruf Kaka, says of the artwork, "We want it to stand out, to enhance the environment and define the area."

The northern suburbs were lacking in any form of public art, so Abalengane wanted to introduce a distinctive artistic feature. The company hoped that prospective buyers would be encouraged to buy into the residential block because of the sculpture.

"We are ecstatic with the result. It is unusual and exceptional."

He explains that in the city centre everything looks the same. "We often blame the architects, but it's the developer's decision too."


Artists' boulevard
What Levin suggested was an "artists' boulevard of monumental sculptures". The developers own a lot of property along the road, and if it erected structures outside these properties, it would achieve a threefold effect: the public would associate the company with artworks, it would create landmarks along the road, and it would give something back to the city, says Levin.
"This would add value to the company … I wanted to create a structure that was both masculine and feminine – an engineering piece that was graceful at the same time, something abstract with curved elements."

Kaka says his company is considering another sculpture, on the corner of Argyle Road and William Nicol Drive in Sandhurst. "We are hopeful that this will catch on. We are used to palm trees and fountains at the entrances to buildings, but let's put something unique in place."

He is keen on the boulevard idea, but would also like to see other developers play a role. He would like to see other major roads sporting artworks, using William Nicol Drive as an example.


Interpretation
Levin says that the metal structure can be interpreted in several ways: it has a nautical shape, similar to a large sail; it can be seen as a Zulu shield; or as a giant Aids ribbon. "People look twice – it transforms throughout the day."
The artist says he is influenced by marine creatures and nautical structures, old astronomical machines, and natural forms like shells, all shapes that are obvious in his latest artwork. "There is a fascinating geometry in these structures. Shells have a strong geometric structure but create a feminine result."

He equates this to a motor car, a masculine item but softened and given a feminine feel with its round shapes. The design of the sculpture took over a year, with several consultants involved, including engineering firm Diamond Engineering, which took three months to manufacture the artwork.

Levin recently completed another public artwork – a 2m tall flat metal structure depicting the face of lawyer Duma Nokwe, in laser cut holes. It's installed outside the Johannesburg High Court on Pritchard Street, one of 10 Johannesburg public artworks commissioned by The Sunday Times as part of its centenary celebrations.

Other projects he's completed include the metal interlinking screens on the west façade of the Constitutional Court building, and similar screens at the Metro Mall taxi rank in the CBD. And, in the Absa Towers North in Main Street in the CBD is the intriguing, magical Mobile City, a two-storey metal mobile depicting the old city of Joburg, balanced with the modern city. The mobile moves slowly, making a cycle every 20 minutes. Levin did the work together with Paul Cawood and Susan Woolf.

He is working on another public artwork, to be placed in Bolton Road, Rosebank - he is keen to see Joburg transformed by public artworks.

There is no activit there, its very dissapointing.


One wonders then how well Urban Ocean is doing? I really do hope they're not struggling, but it seems (and was chatting to Yarrick bout this) as though the market has responded a great deal better to middle-income earners than higher-income ones. Perhaps it would be better to downgrade their product offering?

One wonders then how well Urban Ocean is doing? I really do hope they're not struggling, but it seems (and was chatting to Yarrick bout this) as though the market has responded a great deal better to middle-income earners than higher-income ones. Perhaps it would be better to downgrade their product offering?

Its better for them to downgrade rather leave those buildings like that.

This looks interesting...

The Johannesburg Boom Town Bus Tour:
https://www.computicket.com/booking/computicket/ClickItem/?ci=S~EVENT_TYPE~5501095

'Don't miss this chance to see the development that is really bringing life back into the city. Mostly on bus, we will across the city and we will also take a stroll along the Main Street Mall. Bring your December visitor to explore jaunty "Jozi" and let them feel the vibe."

When is the date for this again?

Thanks for putting SA on the map, JHB!

----------------------

Jo'burg stands tall among centres of commerce

Johannesburg, South Africa

27 November 2007 04:01

Johannesburg has been ranked as one of the top 50 cities in the world that are hubs of the new worldwide economy, according to an index released on Tuesday.

Johannesburg -- the only African city to make the top 50 -- was ranked 47th in the MasterCard "Worldwide Centres of Commerce Index".

"There are a lot of things to be grateful [for], but the typical complaints have been proven, like crime and skills [shortages], in a ranking game [using] sophisticated international ranking practices," said Mike Schussler, senior economist at T-Sec.

The index -- developed by a worldwide panel of economic, urban development and social science experts -- ranks the top cities according to six measures: legal and political frameworks, economic stability, ease of doing business, financial flow, business centre and knowledge creation, and information flow.

London is first in the index, followed by New York, Tokyo, Chicago and Hong Kong. Singapore, Frankfurt, Paris, Seoul and Los Angeles complete the top 10.

Schussler said while there is no doubt Johannesburg is a world-class city, it needs to strive to improve its knowledge base, network capabilities and transport infrastructure.

He said the knowledge base of a city measures both the whole input and output of education.

Schussler said factors taken into account include how many patents per resident per year are registered, how many school leavers and tertiary students there are and how many medical and masters of business administration students there are.

He said the education situation and the "dire" skills shortage in Johannesburg need to be addressed. "The skills shortage is not a legend -- it is a fact." The city needs to import skills to overcome the shortage.

Schussler said crime and law enforcement are both issues in which Johannesburg scores poorly, according to the index. There is a problem with the administration of law, he said.

Johannesburg has done well in terms of financial markets, and stock and bond market turnovers. Gross domestic product growth could be better, while inflation is relatively stable.

Schussler said Johannesburg lost many points because of South Africa's volatile rand currency.

While public transport is not viewed as adequate in Johannesburg, the traffic jams in the city are not yet as bad as in some other big cities such as New York and Los Angeles.

He said Johannesburg needs to improve broadband access and speed to be able to compete globally.

Originally, about 300 cities were considered for the centres-of-commerce index. This was whittled down to a list of 89 cities and then down to 63 cities.

Cairo is the only other African city featured in the index -- in 63rd position. Cape Town and Lagos fell out of consideration in the second round, said Schussler. -- Sapa


http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=326154&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__business/

My favourate is a Lambo but gents, this gives you something to think about especially while you in traffic on M1 North. Those with money are already rolling in them.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1050782-1.jpg

I have one on order for delivery in Q3 2008, cant wait

Where r u gonna be driving? Durbs, Dubai or Sydney? How was the test drive?

So we are under the top 50, but a lot remains to be done.

Jo'burg makes world top 50
Nov 27 2007 07:25 PM
Ana Monteiro
Johannesburg - Johannesburg has been ranked among the world's top 50 global centres of commerce in a new survey.The city was placed in 47th position overall in the 2007 MasterCard Worldwide Centres of Commerce Index, and was the only African city to be placed among the top 50.The index aims to provide insight on how cities influence the global economy and perform critical functions that connect markets and commerce globally.Presenting the findings, T-Sec senior economist Mike Schüssler explained that 89 cities had enough data to be considered by the survey, and that 63 were eventually assessed.Cities are ranked based on six overall measurement dimensions (which encompass more than 100 sub-indices). The measurement dimensions assess legal and political frameworks; economic stability; the ease of doing business; financial flows; business centre capabilities, knowledge creation and information flow in cities.London was the top-ranked city, followed by New York, Tokyo, Chicago and Hong Kong. Of the six measurements, Johannesburg's highest ranking was in the financial flow dimension, where it was ranked 26th."Johannesburg has a good representation of international banks and insurance companies," the reported noted.Schüssler said that Johannesburg's low ranking in commodities contracts presented an opportunity for the city, in that it could consider opening a commodities exchange.Johannesburg was ranked third worst on the knowledge creation and information flow score. Schüssler said the city ranks low on the number of researchers, patents and trademarks, and the number of higher education centres and medical schools."Johannesburg must strive to improve its knowledge base, its network capabilities and its transport infrastructure, if it is to succeed in the broader game of global growth and city wealth."We do however know that between now and 2010, continued capital investment is planned by the City of Johannesburg for areas such as business process outsourcing, tourism and its public transport infrastructure," said Schüssler.Speaking at the event, Parks Tau, a member of the mayoral committee for finance and economic development at the City of Johannesburg said public transport problems in the city were being addressed with the introduction of the bus rapid transport (BRT) system (modelled on the systems introduced in Boston, Bogotá, Sydney and Jakarta) and the Gautrain.He said the city planned to put in its own broadband infrastructure to counteract the high cost of telecommunications, and that it was looking at ways to reduce regulatory burdens on smaller-sized businesses. - Fin24

Where r u gonna be driving? Durbs, Dubai or Sydney? How was the test drive?

Pule my mate, its for me here in Dubai. Will sell my new X5 4.8 for this. Test drive was like strapping a missile to your arse and pussing blast off. Drove it again last thursday around the Dubai Autodrome and then drove a S4 right afterwards and I thought I was going backwards in the S4 compared to the R8. The tourqe is really scarry and it took the promise of a Milan trip for my wife to get it but worth every dollar

I envy you SA.

Pule my mate, its for me here in Dubai. Will sell my new X5 4.8 for this. Test drive was like strapping a missile to your arse and pussing blast off. Drove it again last thursday around the Dubai Autodrome and then drove a S4 right afterwards and I thought I was going backwards in the S4 compared to the R8. The tourqe is really scarry and it took the promise of a Milan trip for my wife to get it but worth every dollar

how much does it cost? must be a fortune.

I went to exclusive books today at Clearwater mall and checked on Joburg books. There's a book there called "Joburg! The passion behind a city
". That's a good book gents, I suggest you go get it for yourselves. It outlines almost everything about the city including developments, life in the city and what attracted me the most is the photos they use.

how much does it cost? must be a fortune.

550 000AED or R1.1mil

Guys... have you all been to visit Pule's new daily blog? is rox...

http://johannesburgdailyphoto.blogspot.com/

Joburg City Parks won a lot of awards recently at an international greening competition organised by the United Nations. Well done City Parks!!!! Now if only our residents would recognise the value of our environment and not litter as much....

http://www.joburg.org.za/2007/nov/nov28_cityparks.stm

Joburg City Parks won a lot of awards recently at an international greening competition organised by the United Nations. Well done City Parks!!!! Now if only our residents would recognise the value of our environment and not litter as much....

http://www.joburg.org.za/2007/nov/nov28_cityparks.stm

Read the article - awesome work!

And then, well done pule - cool pics on your blog

Thanx gents and hey City parks is doing a good job.

New Project from Pace, don't have details yet that's why I post it here. I think Tom hinted us about this before.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1060004.jpg

By the way its in Commisioner Street.

Yep that's the one... not the best, but still good for the city. Pace now has two in the CBD - the Colosseum and now the Brooklyn

Just come back from the 46664 concert. At the last minute I managed to score two free golden circle tickets. Couldn't believe my luck.

It was absolutely amazing! One of the most soul-enriching experiences I have ever had, and a reminder of why I am proud to be a part of Africa and a citizen of this fantastic city I live in.

Music has this uncanny ability to unite South Africans in particular, and it certainly did so tonight. The atmopshere was electric, from when everyone went crazy at Madiba making an apprearance and giving a speech to on the way back to Wits on the bus when the entire upper deck of the bus decided to break into Shosholoza.

The artists were fantastic too - Corinne Bailey Rae and Jamali were my particular favourites. The Soweto Gospel Choir are pretty good too.

Apparently next year 46664 will be going to London in June, and Rio de Janeiro on December 1st.

http://img.photojerk.com/joburg/100_0703.JPG

Saw that on TV, it was wonderful. I wish I was there but finances couldn't allow me.

550 000AED or R1.1mil

not bad, it go's for R1,3 mill here. thats before specing it out.

saw a black one with slive sides the other day on Florida Rd, looks shweet!

heard on the radio this morning that the MEC for Finance in Gauteng ran up a bill of R810 000 at a restaurant last week for dinner? What the F*ck can one order that will run up a bill like that? Even if you had over a 100 guests I still cant figure it out?

I went to exclusive books today at Clearwater mall and checked on Joburg books. There's a book there called "Joburg! The passion behind a city
". That's a good book gents, I suggest you go get it for yourselves. It outlines almost everything about the city including developments, life in the city and what attracted me the most is the photos they use.

I will look out for this book, next time i am at exclusive books.

heard on the radio this morning that the MEC for Finance in Gauteng ran up a bill of R810 000 at a restaurant last week for dinner? What the F*ck can one order that will run up a bill like that? Even if you had over a 100 guests I still cant figure it out?

Unless he has a very good explanation for this (like hosting a 1000 guests), he should be fired immediately and actually asked to repay R800,000 of that sum. This is not right and i smell a rat here (like he is taking kick backs from the restaurant owners in what can only raise suspicion of organized crime to defraud the state).

I will look out for this book, next time i am at exclusive books.


You won't regret Kulani.

Unless he has a very good explanation for this (like hosting a 1000 guests), he should be fired immediately and actually asked to repay R800,000 of that sum. This is not right and i smell a rat here (like he is taking kick backs from the restaurant owners in what can only raise suspicion of organized crime to defraud the state).



Just checked this and he actually spent R108,000. This is still huge. Especially for a Finance MEC who should be leading by example to the rest of his government. What is he eating and drinking that costs R108,000. I think something ought to be done against this guy. This is happening for like the 2nd or 3rd time if i remember.

Stupid Gareth Cliff, cant get his figures straight.

Yeh, last year the same dude spent R96 grand.

Opened to assist residents with building plans applications and systems, the City’s new Metrolink office is processing queries at a rapid rate.

BARELY a week into operation, the Metrolink has already approved 171 plans within 24 hours of submission and has received positive feedback from residents.

The Metrolink building, located at the western edge of the Braamfontein Metro Centre (in front of the building), opened for business on Wednesday, 28 November and has been well received.

“The response we got from the people has been great in the sense that they find it more accessible and processes are a lot quicker than before. I have spoken to a number of people about the services and they are impressed with the service they get,” said Virgil James, spokesperson for the city.


Open for business: the Metrolink is now in operation The state-of-the-art helpdesk provides customers with a fast and friendly plans approval service, which helps customers with building plans applications and understanding the assessment process.

“So far, 73 submissions have been sent back to the owners with a checklist for them to look at and then come back for approvals. 21 applications have been referred to sixth floor for screening since the start of business, so everyone who comes to Metrolink is assisted,” he said.

There are also screens to check that building plans applications have the necessary documentation and requisite town planning approvals as well as comments from council departments and municipal entities. The system accommodates all complete applications, which are directed to the fast track unit.

James added that the services are now rendered at a more capacitated building, which results in the speeding up of processes of all services. “Customers can expect approvals within 24 hours,” he said.

The City publicised the Metrolink services months before the operations started via, amongst other things, posters and word of mouth.

The building has an ATM inside for cash withdrawals and two cashiers to receive payments. Managers make sure that everything runs smoothly on a daily basis; people on the frontline deal with customers directly and those behind the scenes mostly do specialist work, said James.

“All these people have daily meetings, reflecting back on the day’s problems and successes. These meetings will continue until the business is stronger and older,” he said.

Payment for building fees can be made at the cashier in the Metrolink between 8am and 3.30pm; credit and debit card facilities are available.

For all building enquiries, customers should contact 011 407 6058 or 011 407 6217.

Just come back from the 46664 concert. At the last minute I managed to score two free golden circle tickets. Couldn't believe my luck.

It was absolutely amazing! One of the most soul-enriching experiences I have ever had, and a reminder of why I am proud to be a part of Africa and a citizen of this fantastic city I live in.

Music has this uncanny ability to unite South Africans in particular, and it certainly did so tonight. The atmopshere was electric, from when everyone went crazy at Madiba making an apprearance and giving a speech to on the way back to Wits on the bus when the entire upper deck of the bus decided to break into Shosholoza.

The artists were fantastic too - Corinne Bailey Rae and Jamali were my particular favourites. The Soweto Gospel Choir are pretty good too.

Apparently next year 46664 will be going to London in June, and Rio de Janeiro on December 1st.

http://img.photojerk.com/joburg/100_0703.JPG

Glad you enjoyed it. The crowds didnt seem too good. They def should have marketed it better. Can't believe you didn't take pics of construction at Ellis Park!

Operators return to Jozi
06 Dec 2007 - Finweek -

When the four-star Mapungubwe Hotel opened its doors diagonally across from Anglo American's headquarters on the corner of Ferreira, Marshall and Anderson streets in downtown Johannesburg on 1 October this year, it didn't have a single forward booking

That raised the question whether joint venture partners Circlevest Properties and Atterbury Property were perhaps a tad overzealous in selling Jozi's inner city revival story to investors. But any concern that the stylish, Afro-chic hotel would be destined to stand empty was short-lived.

Six weeks later Mapungubwe was fully booked most week nights. Mapungubwe is the first upmarket hotel to open its doors in Jo'burg's inner city after the once-swanky Carlton Hotel was mothballed 10 years ago.

Although there was talk last year that the Sheraton group was interested in restoring the Carlton to its former glory, it later walked away from the proposed deal. Other hotel operators and developers have also shied away from the inner city until now. Gustav Holtzhausen, MD of Circlevest Properties, says the first two weeks of trade were ominously quiet. But as soon as people began to walk through the doors and saw what the project was all about, bookings picked up quickly.

Holtzhausen says the last two weeks of November were so busy that the overall occupancy for the month touched 75%. That will no doubt please investors who have placed their units in the hotel's rental pool.

When Mapungubwe was launched off-plan in October 2005, Circlevest sold all 128 studios, one-bedroom and loft units within three months. Prices ranged between R425 000 and R800 000. The owners of 92 of the self-catering apartments have placed their units in the hotel's rental pool, while the remaining 36 are occupied by full-time residents and don't form part of the hotel offering.

Holtzhausen is confident that management will be able to deliver on its projected income payouts to investors of 7% to 8% (net) in the first year of operation. If Mapungubwe can maintain a 75% occupancy, yields will rise to around 10%/year. Dominic Prendergast, operations director of Mapungubwe operator Faircity Hotels and Apartments, says around 20% of guests are foreigners. Most of the remainder are out-of-town employees or clients of nearby companies, including mining companies and banks.

Prendergast says it makes sense to have an upmarket hotel offering in the financial/mining district, given that the closest comparable options are in Braamfontein: the Protea Parktonian and the Devonshire Hotel.

Although Mapungubwe is the first to re-enter the CBD at the higher end of the market, Prendergast expects other four- and five-star hotels to follow suit. A few more are apparently already on the drawing boards.

Great news about the 75% occupancy for November. This will obviously plummet in December, due to the holidays. But in January - man, here is a new thing coming!

Great news about the 75% occupancy for November. This will obviously plummet in December, due to the holidays. But in January - man, here is a new thing coming!

I don't think it will be bad as that is the time when business people start visit the city in numbers and that's where they will mainly benefit.

Joburg aims for green World Cup
Written by Ndaba Dlamini
Friday, 07 December 2007

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The Joe Slovo Drive bridge, part of the Ellis Park public transport improvements, has been completed

The environment will be a primary beneficiary of World Cup legacy projects, with a number of greening projects planned, but it will not be the only winner after 2010.
OVER and above the tourism opportunities and infrastructural gains expected from hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup™, Johannesburg has identified various legacy programmes that will benefit communities long after the football tournament is over.

The Johannesburg Greening Agenda is one such programme, resulting in a sustainable environmental legacy. It involves recycling rubble from the old Orlando Stadium and Soccer City, using it for building the new facilities.

"The intention is to make Soccer City self-sustainable as far as its water and power needs are concerned," says Sibongile Mazibuko, the executive director of the City's 2010 unit. "Rainwater will be harvested into massive retainers and used to irrigate the field and recycled ‘grey water' will be utilised in the ablution facilities."

Using solar panels on the roof of the stadium to generate the power needed to sustain the complex is being investigated. Any excess electricity will be channelled back into the city's power grid. The stadium's floodlights will be powered from the normal grid, however, supported by huge back-up generators.



http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/dec2007/2010update001.jpg
Greening Klipspruit: Executive Mayor Amos Masondo and his team help in the clean-up Large numbers of people are expected to travel to South Africa for the World Cup and the City is already gearing up to deal with the expected increase in the volumes of waste and refuse.

"We will soon introduce new street furniture, including large numbers of refuse bins, across the city. [And] Executive Mayor Amos Masondo recently unveiled the new underground bins that are being placed at strategic areas where there are high volumes of pedestrian traffic," Mazibuko says.

Urban forest
Johannesburg is internationally recognised as an urban forest, but the description can only be applied to its northern suburbs. The south is bare of vegetation but, to redress this imbalance, the City initiated an ambitious project in 2006 to plant about 200 000 trees by 2010.

Another 2010 legacy project is the rehabilitation of the Klipspruit system, which has been severely polluted in recent years. There has already been significant progress in cleaning up the riverbanks, removing rubble and refuse, and managing the growth of reeds, according to Mazibuko.

"This project is of great importance for the whole of Gauteng because the river flows into the Vaal system, which provides the domestic water for all consumers in the province. The intention is that Klipspruit will develop into a green lung with new opportunities for research and leisure along the banks."

Taking the environmental agenda further, the City is grassing all soccer fields and other open spaces in disadvantaged communities. The aim is not only to improve the aesthetics of these areas but also to create opportunities for recreation.

Mine dumps
Johannesburg, a mining town, is replete with mine dumps of all shapes and sizes. As a way to stabilise the soil and prevent air pollution by fine dust from these dumps, the City is considering a partnership with mining companies to embark on an initiative to green the mine dumps.

"We consider this to be a long-term investment in the health of Johannesburg's residents," Mazibuko says.

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/dec2007/2010update002.jpg
Rubble from the upgrade of Orlando Stadium will be used in the building of the new facilities


While they are part of Johannesburg's long-term plans, these projects will be accelerated given the global focus on 2010 and available budgets. The private sector can also come on board by supporting the City's objectives and forming partnerships in the identified projects, she explains.

In addition to its legacy projects, Joburg anticipates a flood of visitors from all over the world, which is expected to translate into an economic boom.

Danny Jordaan, the chief executive of the 2010 local organising committee, said that staging the World Cup was tantamount to rebuilding South Africa's economy. Speaking at the recent business-to-business soccer convention, Soccerex, he said it would benefit those who were economically excluded in the past.

Soccerex, the biggest sports convention in the world, was held at the Sandton Convention Centre from 25 to 28 November.

"The local organising committee is operating with a World Cup budget of R3,2-billion and the intention is to create jobs and encourage the formation of more small, medium and micro enterprises."

On top of this, the Department of Trade and Industry negotiated that 30 percent of this budget be allocated to black economic empowerment companies and small, medium and micro enterprises in terms of the procurement opportunities.

In a statement released late in November, the 2010 Technical Co-ordinating Committee said the tourism industry was planning a language-training programme majoring in French, German, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism would recruit people for the programme as part of the tourism human resource strategy.

Job creation
The construction of stadiums will also improve economic access through job creation. In Joburg, the building at Soccer City, Orlando Stadium and Ellis Park Stadium has created hundreds of jobs.

In terms of transport, the City has already started work on Nasrec public transport, which is aimed at improving access to Soccer City, venue for the opening ceremony and opening and final matches of the World Cup. The first portion, a 4,7km long road linking Nasrec and the Joburg CBD, is already being built.

Ellis Park public transport improvements consist of three projects: bridges at Bertrams and over Joe Slovo Drive and Saratoga Road. The Joe Slovo Drive bridge is already complete and work on the other two is expected to start soon.

Social benefits associated with hosting the World Cup have also been identified. An arts and culture programme is planned, which will include women, children, the youth, people living with disabilities and those living in rural areas.

It has five pillars:


Visual arts, including film, video, craft and art exhibitions;
Performing arts, such as music, dance, theatre, busking, and dance ensembles, which must be part of the opening and closing ceremonies;
Literary arts, such as the promotion of multilingualism, books and publishing, and poetry readings;
Heritage resources, such as museums and heritage sites; and
Promotion and legacy.
Community arts centres and museums of contemporary African art have been identified as some of the legacy projects. According to the 2010 Government World Cup Unit, the estimated total budget for arts and culture projects is R150-million.

The unit has endorsed a youth development project, Youth Development Through Football, presented by a German youth development organisation, Deutsche Gesellschaft feur Technische Zusammenarbeit. The project, launched in September, uses the popularity of football to promote youth development, especially of girls and boys from disadvantaged communities, by involving them in non-formal education and other support measures.

Challenges
Delivery of these projects present challenges to the host cities and interested parties. However, problem areas have been identified to improve co-ordination and delivery of guarantees and obligations. These include the need for a clear definition of concrete legacy projects in all spheres of society and implementing monitoring systems to ensure that procurement processes adhere to the national economic transformation agenda.

As a way of addressing some of these challenges, intervention task teams have been formed to drive certain critical aspects of the legacy projects. On top of this, more people will have to be deployed to deal with the shortage of critical and scarce skills required for some of the projects, for example in information communication technology.

This is the new coffee shop I was talking about, corner West and Marshall street and its about 2 minutes walk from Mapungubwe.


By the looks of things it will be open soon.


http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1060376.jpg

And the Zurich's head offices phase 1 is stil lin progress, thedigging deeper and dipper.
2 cranes now.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1060375.jpg

pule how will the zurich hq look like think theres a render on ur pic bt cant see it proper

That's just ABSA advert Hsark. No renders and no information on the net. I asked Neil Fraser about it and he told me that he was told never to say anything.

so it might be more than a groundscraper?

so it might be more than a groundscraper?
I guess so.

Neil Fraser refers to it as the first new high-rise in the city in decades (apart from ABSA campus). Taking this into account - I think it will be more than 10F. Not great, but at least something. And it is a smallish plot, so they will need to go up.

Neil Fraser refers to it as the first new high-rise in the city in decades (apart from ABSA campus). Taking this into account - I think it will be more than 10F. Not great, but at least something. And it is a smallish plot, so they will need to go up.


I hope its got a sleek design.

Any building in that area will bring improvement. Plus this will help link newtown to southwestern - which will be a great boost for the city

R50m office complex for Jhb North
2007/12/19

An uncompromisingly modern triple A-grade R50 million development is planned for Johannesburg's Sunninghill. The complex will be known as 'The District', and the Pangbourne Group has signed a deal to take over ownership of the building on completion.

The site chosen for this three storey building is just off the Rivonia Road North Extension that leads into Sunninghill. The site covers 7,700m2. The area, a natural extension to the Rivonia CBD, has proved extremely popular in recent years with developers and the site acquired by Inframax Developments was the last available.

"'The District' will meet the growing call for A-grade space and its prime position in this prestigious area will suit a wide range of potential office users," said Fritz van Graan, who manages the Inframax Gauteng operation. Van Graan believes the market is now swinging away from residential property to commercial, industrial and retail property.

The new building will be H-shaped and have 4,600m2 of office space. The two main blocks will be linked by a semi-glazed central atrium with lifts and an avant garde foyer. The office areas will be suited to open plan layouts and will be centrally air-conditioned. A parking basement will provide space for 84 vehicles and a further 116 parking bays will be available on site. The property will be enclosed in an alarmed security fence in which there will be only one entrance and this will be controlled.

Architect Kim Fairburn has opted for a flat roof design with plastered façades that will be decorated in neutral tone Highveld colours. For its impact the building will rely largely on harmonious shapes in which some sections of the façade have been accentuated or recessed. Relatively small windows will reduce air-conditioning costs and the design will assist in keeping running and maintenance costs in check.

Inframax's John Weaver said that the company foresees Gauteng beginning to rival KwaZulu Natal as its main field of operation in the coming years. 'The District' is one of 17 projects that should turn over R296 million in the current year, he claimed.

Any building in that area will bring improvement. Plus this will help link newtown to southwestern - which will be a great boost for the city

i couldn't careless if it was a 2f building as long as it looks good cause the most important thing is that it a new building and bring more office workers into the cbd and helps 2 change the current image of the city a 10f building would just be a plus for me

Currently Zurich occupies a multistorey building in Fox Street. Everyone in the know refers to this as a "high-rise." So I think we can expect a 10F. About as "high-rise" as they come at this stage in the CBD.

Check out the new pics I will upload in the galleries...

Just drove through Smit street last week, HECTIC man, the greek flag is still waving high at the greek chuch but .ish, did not comfortable there.

Just drove through Smit street last week, HECTIC man, the greek flag is still waving high at the greek chuch but .ish, did not comfortable there.

That's on the Hillbrow side, I know that greek church. That Street is actually called Saratoga, BRT will pass through that street. That area is part of the greater Ellis Park Picinct, don't worry in a year or 2 when you pass there, it will be a different place altogether. But it has actually improved, it was worse.

How can this journalist use a low profile tennis event to suggest that there is a lack of support for sports events in Joburg??!
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Johannesburg’s sports fans need to take a moment
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THE sports fans in the big bustling city of Johannesburg could do worse than to indulge in a touch of introspection in their down time over this holiday period.

The country’s major city is fast becoming a place sports administrators least want to use for major sporting events.

Yesterday’s announcement that the South African Open tennis tournament will be held in East London follows the scheduling of all three cricket Tests against the West Indies at the coast.

Sure, part of the reason for giving holiday Tests to Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Durban is that many people are out of the Gauteng cities, having holidays at the coast.

There is also the matter of giving some action to those areas — Port Elizabeth specifically — that didn’t see any during the Twenty20 championships.

That, according to Cricket SA insiders, is one of the reasons Durban will not get the Boxing Day Test and PE will.

But while you can find some reasons for the flight from Johannesburg by sports promoters, you also have to look at the city’s record for supporting events to find out why most of them are just sick and tired of putting on anything in the city .

Cricket authorities have complained time and time again about the lack of support at Test matches at the Wanderers.

Jo’burg tennis fans will turn out if Roger Federer is in town to play, or Maria Sharapova.

But try selling SA’s No1, Wesley Moodie, or Swedish veteran Jonas Bjorkman — two of the leading draw cards at next February’s South African Open — and, as a tennis promoter, you don’t have a hope.

It all makes you wonder what those charged with scheduling matches for the 2010 World Cup are going to do.

Are they only going to schedule matches involving the top 10 teams in the world for Johannesburg stadiums?

Will they dare put on games between the lesser lights in the City of Gold and risk the wrath of Sepp Blatter and his acolytes when the fans don’t turn out?

All sorts of reasons for low spectator turnout have been discussed over the years, often in this column.

Television has played a major role by saturating sports fans with elite sporting events from all over the world.

Over the years, traffic, parking, facilities and a variety of other factors for not turning out have been blamed.

I’m not going to try to suggest that traffic would be a significant problem in East London, but in Cape Town and Durban you also have traffic and parking problems. Cape Town, in particular, is difficult for fans, yet the turnout at sports events in that city is invariably outstanding.

Is it just that there is no sports watching culture in Johannesburg — so different to that which prevails just 40km along the highway in Centurion?

We can go on looking for answers, but while we’re looking, sports administrators are saying “no thank you” and moving out of the city.

I find the idea of a South African Open tennis championship in East London particularly galling — and no offence meant to that town.

The thing is, you don’t find the US Open being played in Nowhere, Ohio.

It is played in New York, and that is where it should be played.

You don’t find the Australian Open moving to Kalgoorlie, because it is so well supported by the residents of Melbourne.

Imagine the French Open in some small village in the south of France. It just wouldn’t be the same as Roland Garros.

If people in Johannesburg really loved their tennis, they would turn out in numbers just as big for the lesser lights as they would for better players.

It’s all about a genuine love of the game and it seems we in Johannesburg love our sport — as long as it is totally convenient and involves no serious effort.

Oh well, perhaps the tennis action in East London will be on television and we will be able to see some of it.

To be honest we Joburgers are very dissapointing in terms of attandence when coming to sports, but its amazing that when the coastal cities are hosting events we are the ones russing down to the coast.

This is the fencing we spoke about previously. Its at Johannesburg Art Gallery aka JAG

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1060629.jpg

This is the fencing we spoke about previously. Its at Johannesburg Art Gallery aka JAG

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1060629.jpg

thats awesome too bad its in a kak area i hate noort"if that hw u spell it" the taxi rank there is a mess

LOL, its Noord. Ja, the place is not good but I'm posetive that it will get an uplift soon as its within the walking distance to the Gautrain Station and again its a tourist destination therefore the government will make sure that by 2010 the area is up to scratch. Dri Hill is also in the same area.

If you walk there, you will ask yourself as to why JDA never put the place as a priority area because there's JAG, Dri Hill, A park, A cinema, A shopping centre and again a taxi rank. That place can be a stunner if they work on it.

I think the gallery needs to be in an area that is run down. Art galleries have an incredible ability of uplifting the surrounding community. I reckon if we used these community ventures (art galleries, sports complexes) better, we would do a great service to the social well being of the country.

We have complained and some are still compalining about some dirty or should i say filthy place around our city. Can we as the residents of the city take initiative and report it. I have done it with West street and they phoned me back and the place has been kept clean since then. Lets take action.

Report here http://www.pikitup.co.za/default.asp?id=644

Joburg, Clinton climate initiatives
Emily Visser

4 January 2008

A unique relationship is developing between the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) and the City of Johannesburg, with the former committing substantial funding and technical support to help Johannesburg to become an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly city.

CCI is a partnership between the Clinton Foundation and the Large Cities Climate Leadership Group (known as the C40), which aims to take practical and measurable steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency in large cities across the world. Usually, the foundation prefers to provide non-financial assistance.

In July, the City launched its energy efficiency programme, which includes the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system, the energy efficiency building retrofit programme, and the solar streetlight township electrification programme. The latter two are in pilot phase.

Know-how
In all of these initiatives, the CCI is providing technical assistance to Johannesburg, especially as far as energy efficient procurement, information support on technology and products, and financial and cost analysis are concerned.

But the City has also received grant assistance from the CCI. Firstly, the foundation provided a grant to hire the Institute for Transportation Development and Policy (ITDP), a leading international organisation promoting environmentally sustainable and equitable transportation worldwide, to develop the design and operational plan for Rea Vaya.

The operational transport plan was submitted to the City in July. "According to the ITDP, Rea Vaya will reduce 311 586 metric tons of [carbon dioxide] emissions from the current 'do nothing' scenario," a progress report on the partnership confirmed.

Secondly, a grant was provided to hire a climate change and cleaner production deputy director for the City. The chair was filled in November.

At the same time, the environmental management department gained the technical assistance of an acting director for project support, appointed by the Clinton initiative to give support in the implementation of joint City-CCI projects.

"The Clinton Foundation has established a unique relationship with Johannesburg due to the City's aggressive 2010 climate change goals and the executive mayor's leadership in the C40 and International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives," the executive director for environmental management, Flora Mokgohloa, stated in the report.

So far, Johannesburg has received technical assistance from the foundation for waste management, energy efficiency, performance-based procurement and its operational transportation plan.

The relationship between the two has strengthened since the foundation approached the City to form a partnership to fight climate change.

In May 2007, Executive Mayor Amos Masondo joined a group of some 30 business and local government leaders in New York to discuss the role cities can play in reducing climate change. Called the C40 Large Cities Climate Summit, it was only the second summit of this nature to be held. The first was held in London in 2005.

At that time the summit group also entered into a partnership with the CCI, led by former United States president Bill Clinton. The CCI assists by pooling the buying power of cities, mobilising expert assistance and facilitating the sharing of information about successful and replicable programmes.

Key initiatives
The CCI hopes to reduce energy use in buildings worldwide through a landmark new programme and the City of Johannesburg has come on board, signing agreements to join the fight against climate change.

A new procurement and financial model for 12 council-owned buildings is now in pilot phase, in which energy use will be drastically reduced through a number of measures. The pilot buildings are in Dobsonville, Ennerdale, Jabulani, Lenasia, Meadowlands, Newtown, Sandton, the Metro Centre, Museum Africa, Putco, the Roodepoort City Hall and Roodepoort Civic Centre.

"It is the City's intention to expand the programme to retrofit as many public buildings as possible by 2010," Mokgohloa said. She stressed that the programme went far above and beyond lighting retrofits; it included boiler and chiller plant optimisation; improvements to electrical systems; roof, window and building improvements; and indirectly through procurement savings, among other things.

A second initiative will look at solar power, still underutilised in sunny South Africa. City Power is identifying areas where solar street lighting can be implemented and appropriate technologies used. A flexible photovoltaic system, which can be laminated to most structures, is being explored and City Power is working closely with the CCI to plan a possible roll out.

Lessons learned and alternative approaches are being looked at together with Beka, the company that was responsible for the Zandspruit solar street lighting pilot project.

Apart from assistance with the BRT operational plan, the CCI is working with the City's transportation department to analyse various propulsion systems and fuel types. The CCI is also exploring price discounts for BRT buses for C40 cities. A traffic congestion workshop will be held in December where C40 cities will share experiences in hybrid diesel and ethanol buses, station design, fare collection and financing.

Another energy efficiency possibility is a landfill gas-to-energy project, with a report recently completed in which the eight proposal bids for gas extraction were evaluated. The project entails the trapping of the methane gas, generated as a result of landfill decomposition, into gas wells and then flaring or using the gas to generate electricity.

Four open landfill sites, at Goudkoppies, Robinson Deep, Marie Louise and Ennerdale, and six closed landfill sites, at Linbro Park, Kya Sands, Mapetla, Panorama, Waterval, Meredale, in Johannesburg were identified to have good potential for gas extraction.

Cities consume three quarters of the world's energy and account for 75 percent of global carbon emissions. Delegates at the 2007 C40 summit agreed that "the fight against climate change will therefore be won or lost in cities".

The C40 cities, of which Johannesburg is one, have publicly declared that "the world's largest cities have a critical role to play in the reduction of carbon emissions and the reversal of dangerous climate change".

They are Addis Ababa, Athens, Bangkok, Beijing, Berlin, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Caracas, Chicago, Delhi, Dhaka, Hanoi, Houston, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Karachi, Lagos, Lima, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Moscow, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and Warsaw. There are also 12 affiliate cities.

More than 200 nabbed in Joburg

January 07 2008 at 10:21AM

More than 200 people have been arrested for various crimes in Johannesburg and surrounding areas, police said on Monday.

Spokesperson Captain Bhekizizwe Mavundla said a total of 214 suspects were arrested during a "clean-up" crime operation on Saturday and Sunday.

"We seized a total of 176 parcels containing dagga and cocaine. Seven men were charged and arrested for dealing in dagga and cocaine," he said.

Mavundla said the rest of the people were arrested for various crimes like fraud, street robberies, possession of stolen vehicles, and house break-ins.

They were arrested in Hillbrow, Braamfontein, Berea and Joubert Park areas when police raided some of the buildings and held road blocks.

They were expected to appear in the Johannesburg and Hillbrow magistrate's courts on Monday. - Sapa

There's a sign by the newly renovated building at Corner Commisioner and Harrison, its possibly an Urban Ocean building, and its saying Piccasso Resturant and Pub Opening in January. It looks like its an upmarket building, any one knowing anything. I think we gonna have to have Joburg resturants, coffee shops and pubs thread. I saw this just now as I went for a hair cut and it seems like it came up now in January as it wan't there in december.

I have just sent an email to Nick Papadopoulos, Nick_Papadopoulos@carltonhotel.co.za, of Carlton centre and hoping to hear from him soon as the delivery status is successful.

I asked him about the future of the hotel, I'm crossing my fingers that they keep it as a hotel. Nandos, Spur and other resturants have moved bak into Carlton centre.

www.carltonhotel.co.za.

can some when make a thread on as construction seems to be starting , we can call it the soweto development thread to go with the new mall im 2 lazy 2 do it now so pule joburg jake?
soweto: SA’s boom town

16 Dec 2007 - Inet Bridge -

Intro
Property development soars in a township that’s getting so fancy they’re calling it a suburb

By Benjamin Moshatama

Soweto is heading for a property boom, with developers set to plough more than R1.7-billion into Joburg’s iconic township.

There has been such a development boom that a leading economic analyst says Soweto is no longer a township, but has been transformed into a suburb. Starting next June, construction companies will get cracking on various projects, including the township’s first waterfront development, a theatre, and a 1 200- townhouse complex.

The Joburg Property Company, the council agency tasked with property development, is also awarding tenders for the development of upmarket malls and mixed-use housing, office and shopping complexes in Meadowlands, Jabulani and Orlando.

JPC project manager Jo McCrystal said the projects were “starting to take off”.

“We are bringing about a lifestyle that suits people’s aspirations. Instead of people leaving the township, we now see the reverse. The middle class is coming back to Soweto,” she said.

The Jabulani Central Business District is the site of a 300 000m² development along the lines of Joburg’s mixed-use Melrose Arch. It will include Soweto’s first performing arts complex— a 400-seat, R60-million theatre — as well as a 70 000m² shopping area, 70 000m² of office space and 2 000 flats.

Meadowlands will get the R4.1- million, 10 405m² Meadowpoint Precinct, which will include 2 000m² office space, a shopping complex and 150 residential units.

The R1-billion Orlando Ekhaya project announced two years ago — located between Orlando West, Pimville and Klipspruit — includes 1 200 homes for buyers ranging from low-income earners to wealthy homeseekers, a 30 000m² shopping area, and a 60ha nature reserve.

The second phase will include a hotel. Also on the cards is the R700-million Isango Waterfront on the Orlando Power Park Dam, which will include an upmarket shopping centre.

Said T-Sec chief economist Mike Schüssler: “We used to call Soweto a townshipand now that definition is not relevant anymore. We should be calling it a suburb.

“We are now seeing banks moving into the area as well as industry.

“In the past few years, Soweto has made remarkable strides. We have seen an interest in the development of retail, offices, parks and even hotels.” Residents, including Terry Martin, chairman of the Greater Orlando Community Policing Forum (CPF), said the new developments would bring much needed investment.

“We have shown through two big malls [Maponya and Jabulani malls] that have already been built here that the people have buying power and that businesses can be sustained in Soweto,” he said. Greater Jabulani CPF chairman Monty Dlamini said the construction in his neighbourhood would not only create jobs, but provide better recreation facilities.

That sounds great for Soweto. Good going.

That sounds great for Soweto. Good going.


The only sad thing is that Soweto is the only township benefiting out of this while there are township like Orange Farm, Alexandra etc. I know people will see its up to the investors but the government need to also attract investors to those areas. They need to improve those areas so that the private investors can be attracted and that's what they did in Soweto.

Jhb Parks snag big awards
2008/01/09

Johannesburg's City Parks bagged more awards than any other city at an international greening competition organised by the United Nations late in 2007.

City Parks walked away with eight awards, four of them gold, at the Liveable Communities (LivCom) Awards held in London on 26 November. And in the whole city category it shared second place with Arriyadh City, the capital of Saudi Arabia, receiving a bronze medal. In total, 23 cities competed.

The Dorothy Nyembe Environmental Education Centre in Soweto scooped first prize in the natural built project category. The centre opened in June 2005 and was the first of its kind in a township in South Africa. The Regional Ivory Park, the 2010 Greening Soweto Legacy project and the Thokoza Park / Moroko Dam rehabilitation project all received merit gold awards in this category.

The Regional Ivory Park, surrounded by informal settlements, amazed the judges, who could not believe that Johannesburg had created a first-class park in the poorest of poor areas.

Johannesburg also won the only cash prize, taking the R140 000 bursary prize. The judges were impressed with City Parks's plan to develop a park for disabled children that would incorporate aspects such as wheelchair-friendly pathways, a touch and smell garden for the visually impaired and park equipment geared towards the physically impaired. Construction is scheduled for early in 2008.

Diepsloot Memorial Park
Diepsloot Memorial Park received a silver award in the whole city environmental management category. The park embraces South Africans as people with diverse cultures and beliefs and breaks away from the Eurocentric models favoured in the past. Heritage elements, indigenous flora and the existing habitat are naturally linked to fulfil a dual purpose as a cemetery and an environmental conservation area.

It was the first time City Parks – now six years old - entered a competition and the seven delegates, headed by managing director Luther Williamson, were pleasantly surprised by the many accolades the company received. The awards confirmed what they have suspected all along – that Johannesburg City Parks is world class and can hold its own on the international stage.

Speaking during a press briefing on their return, Williamson said they had put a positive spin on all their presentations, which bowled over the judges.

So far, City Parks has developed two new cemeteries (Diepsloot Cemetery taking silver); two environmental education centres (Dorothy Nyembe taking first prize, gold); unveiled 42 new parks (Thokoza Park and Regional Ivory Park taking merit gold) and has plans in place to plant 200 000 street trees in the next five years.

The environment takes centre stage in city planning in Johannesburg and is a vision carried out through all City Parks activities. The entity, a section 21 company with the City as the sole stakeholder, aims to leave communities with a living legacy, caring for municipal open spaces and biodiversity, and creating urban green lungs - and making the community part of the process.

Community involvement
"From the development phase to the actual maintenance of the parks, we get the community involved," Williamson confirmed.

Joburg has recently prioritised the provision of open spaces in new settlements. At the new, mixed-use Cosmo City, now almost completed, the prioritisation of both natural and recreational open spaces were assured from the onset. A green network of open space was created alongside smaller, accessible parks in the neighbourhood, further complemented through a street tree programme.

City Parks believes it is important to link ecologically sensitive areas and urban green spaces through corridors of natural vegetation. This is especially true in the southern areas, where little open space planning has been done in the past. And the entity is opting for new types of park development. Instead of simply wide-open grassed areas, a variety of activities is incorporated into the new parks.

Natural areas such as ridges, wetlands and koppies are recreated over time, either through natural regeneration or deliberate planning as part of the neighbourhood park system.

Master plan
City Parks has a complete landscaped master plan for the whole city, but requires private sector involvement - Williamson hopes to get corporations more involved in the beautification of the city over the next few years. It will be looking into regulating this beautification, with developers required to plough some money into natural landscaping and tree planting as part of their projects.

"Just like electricity compliance, there should also be tree-planting compliance," he feels.

The LivCom Awards were launched in 1997 and are endorsed and organised by the United Nations Environment Programme. They are the world 's only awards competition focusing on best practice regarding the management of the local environment. The objective of LivCom is to improve the quality of life of individual citizens through the creation of liveable communities. By Emily Visser

The only sad thing is that Soweto is the only township benefiting out of this while there are township like Orange Farm, Alexandra etc. I know people will see its up to the investors but the government need to also attract investors to those areas. They need to improve those areas so that the private investors can be attracted and that's what they did in Soweto.

isn't there a housing scheme currently taking place @ alex i always drive past it when im on the highway

isn't there a housing scheme currently taking place @ alex i always drive past it when im on the highway

There is one but it's going at a slow pace. Things are happening there but at a very slow pace and the living conditions are not good at all. Alex should be prioritised and if you go there you will understand why I'm saying all these.

Wrong post.

R20bn boost for Jo'burg
11 Jan 2008 - Inet Bridge -

Intro
The initiative is in sync with a bigger facelift tied to the city's new transport infrastructure

By Sibonelo Radebe

The Jo'burg Property Company (JPC) has set its sights on producing "serious" black property investors in a new plan that aims to unlock R20bn worth of new real estate development.

The JPC, which administers property assets on behalf of the Johannesburg City Council, has finalised a plan to develop 13 properties into lively mixed-use nodes.

The initiative is in sync with a bigger facelift tied to the city's new transport infrastructure, which is expected to attract a further R30bn investment in the next five years (see Cover Story November 9 2007).

A high-powered advisory consortium has been appointed to assist in the delivery of the grand plan.

Participants of the consortium include Pentagon Africa Holdings, Blackacres Capital, HSB Associates, and Kgomotso Africa/Africa Venture Partners.

Ernst & Young was part of the consortium but has since withdrawn. The consulting firm this week declined to comment on why it did so.

JPC marketing manager Nisha Moodley says in addition to overseeing the financing of property projects, the advisory consortium will act as a sounding board and will liaise with capital raisers. More importantly, it will run a black economic empowerment (BEE) advisory and support service to eligible bidders.

The JPC's plan has stringent BEE guidelines, which are expected to catapult black ownership of major property assets in the city.

The plan covers 13 properties involving mainly undeveloped land spread across the city from Sandton in the north to Bruma in the east. Tenders for their development have been issued.

In Sandton, the plan is to make the Gautrain Station into a precinct which will include retail, commercial and residential property developments. It includes a hotel and a public open space.

Other sites of the R20bn plan include three pieces of land in the Bruma area and another close to the East gate shopping mall, where another mixed-use development with an estimated initial capital cost of R400m is proposed.

One of the more ambitious proposals is a R1,5bn project to turn the 180 ha piece of land that separates Dainfern - an affluent area - from Diepsloot, which is still mostly informal, into a mixed-income residential and commercial node.

The list for development also includes the Arena Sporting Precinct in Roodepoort, Doornkop Greenfields, Fairlands Development Node, River Park in Sandton, Rietvlei Zoo Farm and the Randburg Civic Precinct.

I managed to sneak my camera through the fence today and this is what I got on Zurich's head office's progress in the CBD.


http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1060809.jpg


http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1060807.jpg


http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1060805.jpg


http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1060811.jpg

Does anybody know the construction company involved in building this, please?

nice shots pule there weather looks excellent down in joburg hope its not too hot

you guys sure this is only like 10F

Rainbow/WBHO is working on Zurich. Apparently quite an architectural statement. According to my links at the company - a 12 level building. 3floor basement, 9F above ground offices. So I was quite spot on, expecting a 10F. But they do tell me that it is state of the art - and hopefully quite pretty too.

Rainbow/WBHO is working on Zurich. Apparently quite an architectural statement. According to my links at the company - a 12 level building. 3floor basement, 9F above ground offices. So I was quite spot on, expecting a 10F. But they do tell me that it is state of the art - and hopefully quite pretty too.

Jakes, please ask them about other phases as that's just phase 1. Also check eith them if there's any plans regarding the surrounding empty space.

Ah this is such wonderful news... we have something to look forward too!!

... Maybe even prod them to release a render.... :D

hey... have you guys seen The Houghton? It's being built on Houghton Golf Course and looks like it'll 9F+ from the render.

Can't find anything online though..

Its been a while since I have been to that side of Jozi. I heard, on 702, today that one of the historical buildings in Jozi was demolished, anyone with info?

Once the Lion King goes east, Chicago will make it's debut at the Teatro. It will mark the second time it being staged in Joburg. Clearly Joburgers are big fans of their razzle dazzle musicals...

Lion King posts new record
Written by JoNews Reporter
Tuesday, 15 January 2008

It's run has been extended more than once, and now The Lion King is to post a new South African record.

The Disney production musical is the most successful in South African entertainment history. The previous record was held by the musical Phantom of the Opera, which sold 287 000 seats, but The Lion King has easily outpaced this.

It is the story of a lion cub, Simba, who is driven into exile after the death of his father, the king. After struggling with the responsibilities of manhood and his future role, he decides to return and overthrow his wicked uncle, whereupon he reclaims his kingdom.

According to the marketing director of Tsogo Sun, Noeleen Bruton, "The Lion King has changed the face of South African theatre and has changed the perception that theatre is dead. It is thanks to the support of the South African public that The Lion King has done so well.

"Throughout the millions of people that have seen The Lion King worldwide, the South Africa production has had the most audience interaction, crossing all age and racial barriers."

Rob Collins, the managing director of Tsogo Sun Gaming, thanks the sponsors. "We would never have had such a phenomenal show without the support of the producers Lebo M and Pieter Toerien, Disney, Telkom, the sponsors and the wonderful Teatro at Montecasino."

The Lion King started its run on 6 June 2007 and was extended twice. It will now end on 17 February 2008, at the specially built Teatro at Montecasino, on the corner of William Nicol Drive and Witkoppen Road in Fourways.

When the musical closes in South Africa it will tour the East.

Hey guys..

So whilst sitting on the subway in Tokyo (for what seemed like ages everyday), I got bored and started constructing Joburg's subway system. ]

Gautrain

I would retain the two main Gautrain lines. One would be called the Gauteng Central Line, and the other the Airport Line. I would extend both lines, however: The Central line would go down through Soweto to Lenasia and Vereeniging. The Airport line would be extended eastwards to Boksburg, Benoni, Brakpan, Springs, Nigel, and possibly Heidelberg. Westwards, I would extend it to Florida, Roodepoort, Clearwater Mall, Randburg, and then make it meet Sandton.

I think extending these lines are vital because many people travel from these far out areas into Joburg and Sandton everyday. By having a rapid rail connection, they would be able to do this hassle free and it wouldn't take as long as it would take on the subway.

Subways

I would have 7 subway lines running throughout the city. Two lines (Ubuntu and Blue Crane) will circle the city, and the Soweto Line will circle Soweto. The rest will either cross the city North-South, or East-West. Note that I have not named any of the lines after any stalwarts, with perhaps the exception of Makeba, which is named after Miriam Makeba. But she's just fab anyway.

Some of the stations are in totally suburban areas, such as Glenhazel. However, the idea would be that people would start living their lives around the stations, like they do in Japan.

Airport Monorail

Whilst I was busy dreaming up this concoction, I decided I would make Joburg have three major airports - OR Tambo, Grand Central and Lanseria. However, given the growth of Gauteng as a mini-city, I don't think my dreams are too whacky. :D

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/joburgboy/GautengCentralMap.jpg

I will give it 9/10.

City to spend millions on inner city facelift


May 10, 2007

By Lucille Davie

IF several councillors have their way, the inner city will, over the next few years, become a very different place in which to live, play and work.

There'll be more parks, playgrounds, walkable streets, iconic public places, public events and art, and a vamped-up programme of arts and culture, to enhance and establish firmly Joburg's reputation as the cultural capital of the country.

All this excitement came out of the draft proposals for the Inner City Regeneration Charter, to be produced in June, discussed at the Inner City Summit on Saturday, 5 May.

There were six sub-sections presented at the summit; under the section on public spaces, arts, culture and heritage, two councillors, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza and Prema Naidoo, consulted with stakeholders on the draft.

Mayathula-Khoza is the member of the mayoral committee for community development and Naidoo is the member for environment.


Public places
By 2015, the City aims to have at least 5 percent of total space in the inner city developed as "quality public open space"; every inner city resident will be within 300 metres of a public open space.
To get to this vision the City will, by December 2007, have drafted an implementation plan for the upgrade and maintenance of currently dysfunctional open spaces and parks. By March 2009, redeveloped parks will include the Alec Gorschell Park, the Donald Mackay Park, both in Berea, the End Street Park, the Pieter Roos Park in Hillbrow and The Wilds in Houghton.

By March 2008, new spaces will be identified as public spaces, to be developed as "partnership places". These will be co-designed and co-managed with communities. Buildings will also be identified as potential public spaces, to be demolished.

A continuous open space spine is also to be investigated, linking the Yeoville Ridge, Pullinger Kop and the End Street Park, crossing the railway line south of the Johannesburg Art Gallery and cutting across the new Park Station precinct to the original Park Station building opposite Brickfields. A management agreement will be in place by September 2008.

Other public spaces to be investigated by March 2008 include the Braamfontein Cemetery, a park around Hillbrow Tower, a park east of the Supreme Court, one west of Joe Slovo Drive, and a space east of the Standard Bank super block.


Walkable streets
To ensure that people can enjoy these public spaces, the City needs to upgrade streets that are at present "un-refurbished, cluttered and, in particular, un-walkable after dark".
By December 2007, it will have developed a "comprehensive inner city streetscape/public environment upgrade", with plans to implement this by March 2011. It will include everything from new paving, planting trees, clean public amenities and the provision of refuse bins, to the replacement of manhole covers.

Exciting plans for priority streets and precinct areas, to be implemented by December 2009, include making Rissik Street a boulevard, Diagonal and Eloff streets "pedestrian priorities", and completing Main Street eastwards to link with the Absa campus.

Key precinct areas will include Hillbrow-Berea, the fashion district and others still to be determined.


Iconic public places
Several iconic public places have been completed over the past few years: Constitution Hill, Drill Hall and Mary Fitzgerald Square. Another project, the Gauteng provincial government precinct and square, is still on the drawing board, but it will become another Joburg iconic public place.
However, it is felt that the present iconic places are not reaching their full potential. A goal of the charter is to see these places reach their full potential and achieve full operational sustainability. A management and financing model will be drawn up by December 2007.

The City is committed to developing other key iconic public places, with feasibility and business plans finalised by March 2008. These may include the Old Park Station and the Gauteng square.

By march 2010 the site of the Workers' Library in Newtown will be rehabilitated to form a world-class museum of labour migration.


The visual cityscape
The City is concerned about the visual appearance of the inner city, in particular, "an excess of inappropriate outdoor advertising and building wraps".
A careful balance needs to be maintained between respecting the rights of property owners and advertisers, while at the same time respecting the desire of the public to not be subjected to a cluttered and unattractive visual cityscape.

This goes hand-in-hand with a desire to maintain the quality of architecture and urban design in a rapidly re-developing inner city.

"The City of Johannesburg wishes to see a visually coherent cityscape without excessive clutter from too many inappropriate outdoor adverts and building wraps, and with quality architecture and urban design appropriate to the local context."

It will review its current policy governing outdoor advertising by December, in consultation with a range of stakeholders. Strict regulations prohibiting the full wrapping of buildings on a semi-permanent or permanent basis are expected.


Public events and art
The City is keen to encourage more active use of open space, particularly in iconic public places and parks. It is planning to scale up its programme of public events, compiling a calendar of possible events on an annual basis, to be sufficiently financed, managed and marketed.



The city seeks to attract even more people to cultural events held in the inner city


It will work with civil society organisations to support organised activities in parks, specially designed to include children.

In terms of Joburg's public art policy, art interventions and installations will be rolled out in conjunction with the re-development of public spaces and streets.


Networking
The arts, culture and heritage sectors admit to be fragmented regarding communication, interaction and joint action, resulting in poor support from the City and other spheres of government.
Consequently, Johannesburg is proposing a Sectoral Advisory Forum, with the aim of bringing together major stakeholders like the SABC, Witwatersrand and Johannesburg universities, the City and provincial arts and culture departments, the National Arts Council, Constitution Hill, the Arts Alive Consortium, the Market Theatre Foundation, and the co-ordinator of the Inner City Arts Network.

This will be enhanced with the creation of an internally and externally connected Sectoral Network that will operate through irregular networking events and a web-based virtual space for day-to-day interactions between organisations.

By September the City plans to convene the Inner City Sectoral Advisory Forum that will be backed up by a web-based information-sharing portal.


Cultural capital
The City aims to enhance further the perception of Joburg as the cultural capital of South Africa, through a number of interventions. Already the SABC is located in Auckland Park and there are various film-related industries in the suburb; Joburg is also "the clear continental leader in training for the creative and cultural industries".
Among these is the World Summit on Arts and Culture, to take place in 2009, and the Gauteng Creative Industries Development Framework.

The City plans to produce a promotional strategy by March 2008 that will profile the inner city as a cultural capital. In addition, Joburg will promote the concept of a pan-African rotating "City of Culture" through consultation with the national Department of Arts and Culture, the African Union, and other relevant bodies. The concept will be launched at the 2009 world summit.


Improving cultural offerings
It is felt that the current programme of inner city arts and culture events is not being optimised in terms of quantity, diversity, consistency and accessibility. The reasons are many but relate largely to finance and venue constraints.
The City's desired outcome is to increase audience figures for various events it holds, for museums, galleries and heritage sites in the inner city.

It will do this by means of a print and online What's On calendar; a fund for special events will be created, together with the Gauteng department of sports, recreation, arts and culture; Museum Africa will be refurbished; the City Hall will also undergo a refurbishment to equip it for meetings and music events; and a mining museum will be developed.

All venues will be re-assessed with consideration for disabled visitors.


Supporting production
Johannesburg is the "continental capital" for media production as well as the training centre for the creative and cultural industries.
The City aims to "help uncover and nurture creative talent", and assist in developing creative industry endeavours. This will be done by means of an agency that will offer advice, space and start-up loans. The City plans to help establish 100 new start-up spaces, primarily in the east end of the CBD.


Heritage
Johannesburg has been under pressure to accommodate both the development and heritage lobbies in the revamping of the CBD. This has often led to disagreements, resulting in delays in taking decisions.
The City plans to establish new protocols and principles governing re-development of the inner city with key heritage agencies. "This will balance the interests of large scale development in the inner city and the need to preserve precious heritage, inter alia by clarifying how heritage decisions can be speeded up."

In closing the summit, the City manager, Mavela Dlamini, said, "We want an inclusive city - not a city for some, but a city for all."

He encouraged people to submit more suggestions and ideas, via e-mail, to Graeme Gotz at graemeg@joburg.org.za or Neil Fraser at neil@urbaninc.co.za. "Come and interact with our officials," he said. The final charter is expected in July this year.

"Once we have got the inner city right, we will get every other square inch of the city right."




By 2009, the City will redevelop parks in and around the inner city, including The Wilds in Houghton

Hey guys..

So whilst sitting on the subway in Tokyo (for what seemed like ages everyday), I got bored and started constructing Joburg's subway system. ]

Gautrain

I would retain the two main Gautrain lines. One would be called the Gauteng Central Line, and the other the Airport Line. I would extend both lines, however: The Central line would go down through Soweto to Lenasia and Vereeniging. The Airport line would be extended eastwards to Boksburg, Benoni, Brakpan, Springs, Nigel, and possibly Heidelberg. Westwards, I would extend it to Florida, Roodepoort, Clearwater Mall, Randburg, and then make it meet Sandton.

I think extending these lines are vital because many people travel from these far out areas into Joburg and Sandton everyday. By having a rapid rail connection, they would be able to do this hassle free and it wouldn't take as long as it would take on the subway.

Subways

I would have 7 subway lines running throughout the city. Two lines (Ubuntu and Blue Crane) will circle the city, and the Soweto Line will circle Soweto. The rest will either cross the city North-South, or East-West. Note that I have not named any of the lines after any stalwarts, with perhaps the exception of Makeba, which is named after Miriam Makeba. But she's just fab anyway.

Some of the stations are in totally suburban areas, such as Glenhazel. However, the idea would be that people would start living their lives around the stations, like they do in Japan.

Airport Monorail

Whilst I was busy dreaming up this concoction, I decided I would make Joburg have three major airports - OR Tambo, Grand Central and Lanseria. However, given the growth of Gauteng as a mini-city, I don't think my dreams are too whacky. :D

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/joburgboy/GautengCentralMap.jpg

Impressive stuff dude!!

Here is a thought. If you are on the gautrain and load shedding (which will still be a part of life in 2010) kicks in, what happens? Will we sit in darkness in tunnels? I am hating eskom soooo much today.

Here is a thought. If you are on the gautrain and load shedding (which will still be a part of life in 2010) kicks in, what happens? Will we sit in darkness in tunnels? I am hating eskom soooo much today.

LOL, yip you will be stuck in a tunnel.

Was also so upset with eskom today.. Damn company.. LOL hopefully they will have generators..

Joburg.. Awsome map man. Gave me a great idea to create my own subway map. will be posting my idea soon.

New high streets for inner city

Written by Emily Visser
Thursday, 17 January 2008

Streets and parks in the packed inner city suburbs of Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville will get a major facelift over the next five months, with some upgraded to become high streets.

Plans are in place to upgrade the inner city HERRINGBONE paving, strong earthy colours, public art and lush indigenous greenery are just some of the changes soon to be seen in congested city streets in Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville.

A five-month project overseen by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) is set to start at the end of January and will result in a major overhaul of the public environment in these areas. The project forms part of the ongoing drive by the City to rejuvenate the inner city and includes upgrades to parks, streets and public buildings.

And to boost employment, 1 200 jobs will be available to local skilled labour. Five contractors will be employed and will require workers skilled in bricklaying, kerbing, paving, concrete work, pipe laying and plumbing. Skilled artisans and small- and medium-sized enterprises can register to work on the projects.

Julian Drew, the director of NMA, a social strategist company charged with the skills audit for the project, said no employment guarantees could be given. "Because of the fast-track nature of this project, only people with experience will be employed."

He was speaking at a public briefing held in Yeoville on Tuesday, 15 January to discuss the project. Briefings were also held in Hillbrow this week; a final briefing is being held this evening at 6pm at The Palace, Region F Social Services Building, corner Soper and Tudhope streets, Berea.

Over the next few days residents of the three areas will be briefed by the JDA; GAPP, the urban designers and architects on the project; and NMA on developments planned in their areas. The project will be completed by July.

Investment
The reason for the upgrades is three-fold: to create safe, viable public areas, to induce further private investment, and to encourage residents to beautify their own properties.

Speaking at the public briefing, Andrew Luke, an urban designer at GAPP, said the project formed part of the work already undertaken in Hillbrow, Berea and Ellis Park and should not be seen in isolation. All these projects form part of the commitments made in the Inner City Regeneration Charter, which is devoted to bringing about a drastic transformation of the inner city over the next few years.

Five parks - Pieter Roos, Alec Gorshel, Le Roith, JL de Villiers and Donald Mackey - will be upgraded, with the emphasis on public safety and security. The public toilets in Clarendon Place and Lily Avenue will be refurbished.

Pretoria and Kotze streets in Hillbrow, and Rockey and Raleigh streets in Yeoville were identified as high streets and will receive the full sweep of upgrades – different types of paving with interesting patterns in strong colours, special parking bays, benches, bins, bollards, new bus shelters and guard rails are planned.

Streets will be greened with indigenous white stinkwoods and bush willows.

Activity streets
Activity streets that have a lot of pedestrian traffic will get a good once-over, but with less detail. These are Claim, Twist, Bruce and Quartz streets in Hillbrow; and Abel Road in Berea. In Yeoville, the outer parts of Rockey/Raleigh and Hunter streets are activity streets and will be upgraded as such.

The sections of streets crossing Rockey and Hunter - Fortesque, Kenmere, Bedford, Cavendish, Raymond and Bezuidenhout – will also be upgraded as activity streets. Another 112 blocks are residential street zones and will receive attention where necessary, "bringing [them] up to standard".

In a separate project, closed circuit television cameras will be installed in specific areas. Residents will be able to keep a close eye on the projects, with feedback sessions held at monthly ward committee meetings.

Registration for employment will take place from Monday, 21 January to Friday, 25 January, from 10am to 4pm. Artisans must bring their identity documents, proof of residence, qualification certificates and references. Small, medium and micro enterprise contractors must bring a company profile, company registration papers, tax clearance certificate, CIDB registration, proof of payment of their rates and taxes, and bank statements.

The venues are Hillbrow Recreation Centre, Yeoville Recreation Centre and The Palace, Region F Social Services Building in Berea. For more information, contact NMA on 011 487 0021.

One part of hillbrow which have benefited from Urba Renewal

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/upgrades000.jpg

Thanks for the compliments about the map guys! Glad you liked it! Perhaps I will indeed send it to Gautrain. And then maybe I'll become famous. :)

Have you guys seen Joe Slovo Drive lately, in the area opposite Ellis Park? Those gorgeous houses which were such a bad state of disrepair have seemingly been painted and are looking a lot more smarter than they used to look!

Would be awesome though if the Anton van Vouw restaurant and the Alhambra theatre, also in that area, would open again.

Thanks for the compliments about the map guys! Glad you liked it! Perhaps I will indeed send it to Gautrain. And then maybe I'll become famous. :)

Have you guys seen Joe Slovo Drive lately, in the area opposite Ellis Park? Those gorgeous houses which were such a bad state of disrepair have seemingly been painted and are looking a lot more smarter than they used to look!

Would be awesome though if the Anton van Vouw restaurant and the Alhambra theatre, also in that area, would open again.
Yip, I have been that side on several occasions and its looking fabulous. I heard that some of the house on Bertrams side are gonna be demolished to make way for better housing.

This is that development I was talking about in Houghton... Sorry for the crap image!

It looks quite similar to the other apartment blocks in that Upper Houghton area - all about 8/9F with rolling lawns in front of them for you to play croquet on Sunday afternoons.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/joburgboy/TheHoughton.jpg

Oops!

If I seem afwul quiet over the next week, keep in mind that I am in Lilongwe, Malawi. Keep up the chatting on this forum! Will post pics again soon.


Hopefully they have no load shedding in Malawi...

If I seem afwul quiet over the next week, keep in mind that I am in Lilongwe, Malawi. Keep up the chatting on this forum! Will post pics again soon.


Hopefully they have no load shedding in Malawi...

Roughly 26 countries in Africa's 54 countries are currently undergoing severe power shortages. its highly likely that Malawi is amongst those.

Roughly 26 countries in Africa's 54 countries are currently undergoing severe power shortages. its highly likely that Malawi is amongst those.


Everywhere you go... You always take the weather with you...

this house is too crowded for me

Which house?

this house is too crowded for me

ha ha ha... BRILLIANT!!

Formula One heads for Joburg
Written by Lesego Madumo
Wednesday, 23 January 2008

THE throb of Formula One cars will again be heard in the streets of Sandton, after the Gauteng provincial government forged a long-term partnership with the ING Renault Formula One team as an impetus to showcase the province as an investment and tourism destination.

The partnership had been designed to consolidate the province's position as a home of competitive sport, said Paul Mashatile, the MEC for finance and economic affairs. "[It] presents a lot of spin offs for the province's economy."

Speaking to the media from the premier's office on Tuesday, 22 January, Mashatile noted that the partnership would expose Gauteng's young people to motor sports and the opportunities it presented.

Under the partnership, a Formula One competition will be held each year that will attract scores of petrol-heads and motor-sport enthusiasts to Joburg. Several workshops and other activities related to the sector will also be hosted to empower young people.

"We are very excited about the partnership. We hope that [the F1 events] will attract domestic and international audiences," noted Barbara Creecy, the MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation. "[This] presents a good opportunity for us to showcase Gauteng's great sporting facilities and to illustrate its ability to become a globally competitive city region."

Mashatile said that the partnership presented a viable opportunity for Gauteng to position itself on the international stage. "This partnership will further strengthen our efforts to promote Gauteng as an investment and tourism destination and will consolidate our position as the home of competitive sport."

Under the partnership, an ING Renault F1 Roadshow will be hosted every July in Sandton. It is expected to promote tourism to the city and create hundreds of jobs. Held for the first time in 2007, it drew almost 80 000 people to the area.


Barbara Creecy, MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation, and Paul Mashatile, MEC for finance and economic affairs, discuss the benefits of hosting the ING Renault Formula One team "Our involvement in this partnership is informed by our desire to stimulate the competitive sports sector of the provincial economy, which we believe has enormous potential to contribute towards increased tourism, job creation and higher economic growth," Mashatile explained.

He was optimistic that the partnership would bring the province closer to its strategic objective of increasing its share of the tourism market to 55 percent. "This partnership will also strengthen ongoing efforts aimed at increasing the amount of time and money that tourists spend in our province and the variety of activities that can be undertaken [here]."

He was confident that it would have positive spin-offs "in terms of job creation and growing the provincial economy".

It would also go a long way towards strengthening Gauteng's position as a major destination for local and foreign investment. "Through this partnership, we will showcase the event hosting, logistical as well as other capabilities of our province."

Mashatile asserted that the province's association with motor racing was aligned with its approach to support the automotive sector as one of its many job-creating sectors. "We note with appreciation that our targeted interventions aimed at supporting the automotive industry in Gauteng continue to receive overwhelming support from the private sector."

The partnership also presented an opportunity for young people to be exposed to the world of motor sports and to be empowered.

"We will continue to work closely with the Gauteng commission to ensure that our association with motor sports and the Renault F1 team in particular benefits the youth of our province.

"We have no doubt that our young people will take advantage of the opportunities provided by this partnership."

During the ING Renault F1 Roadshow, the Renault F1 team both races its cars through the streets of Sandton and exhibits them for the public.

I went for an hour's walk in the CBD and hey I think 2008 is coming with fire. AFHCO is owning Jozi, its like they own every building.

Protech-Khuthele is busy on one site in Plain Street, they have actually being busy from last year. They digging deeper and might even be deeper than the Zurich's one. But its just a matter of wait-and-see.

Its seems like we gonna get more retail in the city as plenty of those builings, especially the ones done by City Property, have got retail at the bottom. There's a Resturant called Kwezi's resturant opening soon at Isibaya, corner Marshall and Simmonds Street.
Mzansi Designers will also be opening soon, I think it will be in loveday street.

BY the way the Hillbrow, Yeoville and Berea beutification is starting this month end.

screw formula 1 top gear is coming to town sooo whos going ?

Gents, check out this pic out? Do you see the potential?

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/jan/upgrades02.jpg

Work has started in Hillbrow, pavements are being replaced from the Health Precinct to the inner side of central hillbrow.

Berea: Jozi's first residential CID
Written by Lucille Davie

Thursday, 31 January 2008


A property owner is turning Berea around, building by building. Brian Miller is determined to make residents feel the suburb is their own.

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/jan/bereacid001.jpg
Berea is dominated by tall residential blocks


A SMALL central section of Berea is Johannesburg's first residential city improvement district (CID). It has a whole new identity – it is safe, clean and a pleasant place to live.

The CID has been driven by developer Brian Miller of Ithemba Property Trust. He has been working in Berea, to the east of the city centre, since November 2005 but in the broader area for 15 years.

Miller says he is driven by a desire to make a difference. "I only have one shot at the title," he says.

Since mid-2006 crime in Berea has dropped between 70 and 80 percent, he confirms. Berea's CID is called Legae la rona, which means "our place", and Miller has certainly made residents in Berea feel it is "their place".

"The only way forward is to normalise the situation and get quality of life for our tenants."

Traditionally a suburb lumped together with the grimy and overcrowded Hillbrow, its neighbour, this section of Berea is now clean and there are some 16 guards in evidence on the street corners. CCTV cameras on street corners are on the cards, in consultation with the City. The CID consists of seven blocks, running from Barnato Street in the north to Olivia Road in the south, bordered by Fife Avenue in the west and Lily Avenue in the east.

"It is easier to work in an identifiable area, then move on," Miller explains. There are plans to create the next CID in Berea south, then Berea north, and eventually encompass Yeoville and Hillbrow. He expects this process of turning all suburbs into CIDs to take up to 10 years.

Over a dozen CIDs have been established around the city, the most successful being in Braamfontein and Main Street in the inner city. Further afield there are CIDs in Sandton, Rosebank, Illovo, Wynberg, Kramerville and Randburg. But these are all in business areas, not residential areas.

Declaring an area a CID means that, in addition to the normal municipal services like street cleaning and grass cutting, street guards will patrol, picking up litter and reporting any problems or loitering. The CID management body also undertakes to remove graffiti, landscape public places and trim trees. These services are paid for by the property owners.

Three-phase attack


http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/jan/bereacid002.jpg
Trees and clean streets make Berea a desirable place to live

Miller's approach is a three-phase attack: to get buildings clean and manageable; to get public open spaces, including alleyways, clean and welcoming; and to bring services back. These include shopping centres, coffee bars and internet cafes.

He works closely with City Parks, Pikitup and City Power, through which complaints are channelled and action taken to remedy any problems. The South African Police Service has also come on board, raiding shebeens in the area.

The Johannesburg Development Agency is responsible for overseeing these revamps.

Miller also acknowledges the role of Poma, the Property Owners' and Managers' Association, "a partnership of strategic stakeholders to upgrade areas". That upgrading includes details like street lighting, cutting the grass and making sure streets are clearly signposted.

The Metropolitan


http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/jan/bereacid004.jpg
The Metropolitan, refurbished with 402 units

Miller has his base in The Metropolitan, a large residential block of some 402 units, with 1 000 tenants, on Alexandra Street. Described by him as being in a "very poor condition" four years ago, it is now spotless, with 24-hour security and, most importantly for it to work, a fingerprint system of entry. This ensures that only tenants enter the building.

And although the foyer looks a little like a jail, with turnstiles and gates blocking the entrance, tenants are assured of their security.

The Metropolitan has studio flats and one-and-a-half bedroom flats. A strict requirement is that only three people are allowed to rent each flat, Miller explains. Rents range from R1 500 to R3 000 and thorough profile checks are done on prospective tenants.

Miller owns seven blocks in Berea, with a total of 1 000 units. "We have a responsibility to ensure who is in the buildings." And all his buildings are fully rented.

"Our buildings are cleaner than Sandton – the floors shine, you could eat off them," he smiles.

Each building has a building manager, all of whom have been trained in first aid and fire-fighting. He also employs his own maintenance team, and in all has created 200 jobs.

Rand Executive



Rows of caged washing in the courtyard of the Rand Executive Colin Cindi is the building manager of Miller's Rand Executive, a residential block of 91 units on the corner of Alexandra Street and Tudhope Avenue. He also lives in the block with his two children.

He walks around with a walkie-talkie, explaining that no parties and no drinking are allowed in the building, a stipulation in the lease that tenants sign. He points to the caged washing lines in the courtyard. "Everyone has a time when they hang out their washing, which they lock behind the gates."

This means that there is no theft of laundry and, more importantly, that there is no washing hanging from balconies, something that always makes a building look untidy, besides breaking the City's by-laws. Miller fines tenants R50 if they hang washing on their balconies.

"There is life in Berea," Cindi concludes.

Miller is optimistic that these areas, long neglected and overrun, will be turned around. "We are not in a perfect world yet, but we are getting there."

Great news, drove through Berea and Hillbrow yesterday... indeed things are shaping up

Zurich's head office.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1070177.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1070174.jpg

it is being built in a weird part of the city, but will bring new life to the area - especially in terms of other companies moving in. Not a high-rise (only 9F), but hey, better than nothing

Yup yup.. very weird part of the city... and a pretty dodge part too.

I agree with you Jakes it willl definately bring life to that part of the city, do you guys know what is the consideration in terms of parking? and again the board says its phase 1, can we expect more?

I remember long time aog Neil Fraser said there's a guy who bought land closer to that Zurich development to construct a museum. I wonder if that still the plan.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/joburgboy/GautengCentralMap.jpg


Impressive - but dont you think we would need a greater density of stations in the inner city / CBD core?

Or would you rely on trams / buses for close-in movement?

E.g. in the City of London (ie the Square mile - quite a bit smaller than joburg central) I count 8-10 tubestations with an additional 3 or so railway stations (ie ones that dont have tube stops). Inside the circle line, probably still smaller than joburg central there has to be 50-75 tube stations and probably 5 railway stations or so.

Thanks Clive - appreciate the feedback!

Yeah I'm working on a tram system for the inner city and for the Sandton CBD. I should have perhaps put more subway stops in the CBD, but I didn't because I haven't studied a CBD map in detail yet. But I'll definitely be working on something in the coming days.

Luf... didn't you say you were working on a subway map too? It would be kewl to see it..

Yeah been working on it hey... So ill put it up tomorrow. Also not to familiar with in the CBD these days but ill have a look at my map of it and see where the best places would be..

To be continued, soon.
Have a great weekend guys.

Neil Fraser's latest article

http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/2137/58/

He mentions in his article that another office block is in advanced stages of planning... mmm... sounds promising

I never thought they would bother with this kind of stuff - FANTASTIC!! :)


61 held for pavement piddling

Johannesburg - The metro police arrested 61 men for urinating in public in the inner city at the weekend.

The offenders were apprehended mainly around the hawkers' stands at St Mary's Cathedral in the city, Joubert Park, Hillbrow and around Jeppe station during a police operation in the area, said spokesperson Wayne Minnaar on Monday.

Most paid a R300 fine and those unable to pay appeared in court on a charge of urinating in a public area, a contravention of by-laws.

The operation was to promote hygiene, keep the city clean and as part of an effort to deal with smaller offences in a bid to also bring down levels of more-serious crime, Minnaar said.

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2264450,00.html

Good! xD

Inner city pumps life into property investors’ pockets
05 Feb 2008 - eProp - Aengus

Intro
Johannesburg’s vibrant city economy, along with a limited supply of quality rental accommodation and policy efforts at urban renewal, has created an investment opportunity in the inner city

For those willing to manage their buy-to-let property investment closely, returns could exceed those from the more traditional, suburban investments which had dominated the up-leg of this property cycle.

So maintains Richard Rubin, CEO of Aengus Property Holdings, who has no doubt that market conditions in the Johannesburg inner city underpin investment prospects in the area. Thanks to a number of large, established employers in the city centre, who have committed themselves to the area, demand for accommodation is lively.

Meanwhile the supply of rental accommodation that suits the needs and lifestyle of the emerging middle-class income earner is limited.

Aengus Property Holdings has been part of the energetic drive towards inner city regeneration, with its bold conversion of commercial city blocks into loft apartments fitted with all the trimmings suited to young employees. These developments are targeted at those with a monthly income of between R7 500 and R12 000.

The flood of applicants for rental accommodation within these building has confirmed Rubin’s instincts. Upon the completion of the 223 Fashion Loft Apartments, on the corner of Pritchard and Delvers Streets in The Fashion District in Downtown Jozi, Aengus’ rental management subsidiary, Aengus Property Management received 1 500 applications from prospective tenants within one month.

Aengus now owns or manages more than 3 000 inner city apartments and boasts net rental returns for investors of up to 10,5%.

Rubin points out that the tight in-house control of tenant screening, rental collections and maintenance partly accounts for the financial success of the investment.

Aengus’ move, a year ago, to make some of its units available to sectional title investors, gives other property investors access to the benefits of its ongoing management and control. These systems have been put in place over the six years in which Aengus has been operational in the inner city development and rental market.

A number of investors have taken up Aengus’ offer to buy units ranging in price from R220 000 to about R600 000. Aengus guarantees investors a base rental for twenty-four months, which means the group carries the income risk on behalf of the investor. Should rentals move higher than the guaranteed level during those first two years, the benefit is paid to the investor.

Rubin says the guaranteed return reflects Aengus’ confidence in its ability to tenant its building.

And, since apartments are all equipped with white goods and plasma-screen TVs, the potential drain on tenants’ income is limited, leaving disposable income for payment of rental.

Further, the tax incentives which SARS has put in place for investors into urban renewal nodes, and which allows for a straight-line depreciation of up to 30% of the property value over five years, is passed on to Aengus’ investors.

Although Rubin is mindful of the prevailing uncertain sentiment amongst property investors, he argues that property within the price bracket on offer by Aengus is in limited supply and that there should therefore be good scope for capital appreciation.

Retail banks stepped up their involvement in sectional title loans for inner city properties from late 2006 onwards. Rubin says it is common for investors into Aengus’ developments to receive loans equivalent to 100% of the purchase price. In such cases the monthly shortfall between rent and bond repayments could be in the order of a few hundred rand.

Aengus launches its latest development at the end of this month. The Argyle Precinct in conveniently located right above the Gautrain Park Station.




.

" with another central city tower in an advanced stage of planning"
from Niel Grazer article

" with another central city tower in an advanced stage of planning"
from Niel Grazer article

It was obvious from last year that its just gonna be crazy this year and the city's plans approval division is now housed in a flashy building in Braamfontein and they are only dealing with approval of plans which will make us see more rehabilitations and constructions around the city because the city's plan is to accelerate the approval of those plans.

" with another central city tower in an advanced stage of planning"
from Niel Grazer article


Protech-Khuthele is busy with the digging in Plain Street in the CBD and last week me and my friend peeped to check how deep is the foundation and as an architect he told me that its about 3 stories deep. And well in my eyes it was really deep.

Here's the letter I sent to Neil Fraser after seeing that digging

Hi Neil,

Do you perhaps know about the development taking place in Plain Street just next to Park Station. The construction is a next door neighbour to Universal Church. The digging is still going and when I peeped though the zincs to check it, it was about 3 stories deep. Do you know what they constructing there?

Kindest regards,
Pule


Neil's reply

Hi Pule, I know that the Universal Church had bought ground and only developed half into a church, the other piece of land was just bare when I last looked at it but that was a long time ago. As they own the ground it sounds as though it may be basement parking? Let me know if you find out more, regards, neil

Neil Fraser
Urban Inc
132 Jan Smuts Ave
Rosebank 2196
ph 011 444 4895
fax 011 444 4895
cell 083-456 0242

MEDIA RELEASE 23
10 October 2007
Aengus Properties expands to meet Growing Residential Demand
Aengus Property Holdings has more than quadrupled its number of inner city residential
units to over 3 000, following rapid organic growth, plus the recent acquisition of the
Softstone and Dunwell portfolios in a joint venture deal with listed property loan stock
ApexHi Properties Ltd.
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aengus Property Management, Aengus now manages
over 30 buildings in Johannesburg’s CBD and surrounding city suburbs and, with the
takeover of the Softstone team, has boosted its staff complement to over 200 to handle the
expanded portfolio.
Aengus has also just launched its own in-house bond origination division to enhance its
unique turnkey service to property investors and tenants.
Richard Rubin, MD of Aengus Property Holdings says their expansion has been fuelled by
insatiable demand for quality inner city residential rentals. This has been married to an
investor market wanting to purchase into these revenue streams. “The rental market
appears bottomless. Any new stock is snapped up, usually pre-launch and all our completed
loft developments have been 10 times oversubscribed, which shows how potent the need for
affordable rentals actually is.”
The latest acquisitions in and around Braamfontein, Parktown, Berea and Hillbrow represent
a departure from the norm for both Aengus and ApexHi. ApexHi has ventured into the
residential market for the first time with the purchase of the Softstone and Dunwell
portfolios whilst Aengus will upgrade, market, lease and manage the buildings. Profits will
be shared amongst the two parties.
ApexHi CEO Gerald Leissner said the deal was good news for shareholders. “Although
residential property comprises less than 1% of our R9bn portfolio and most of the units have
23 Aengus Properties expands to meet growing residential demand - October 2007
2
been developed as part of the joint venture with Aengus, we believe a move into the
residential arena is a natural extension of our business,” he said. “The demand is certainly
there for quality accommodation that is managed professionally, which can be very
profitable. The joint venture will also retain a portion of the refurbished properties for
investment purposes and share the monthly income.”
Says Rubin. “In the past, we’ve converted existing commercial and office blocks into loft
apartments, such as Braamfontein Lofts Lofts@66, Tribeca Lofts, Berea Lofts (in Durban),
and most recently, Fashion Lofts. Now, for the first time, we will be renovating existing
residential blocks to our standards as well as selling entire schemes as sectional title.”
Rubin is particularly excited by the prospect of some of the sectional title developments
falling within the Government-defined threshold of affordable housing. “In the past many of
our schemes have been snapped up by investors. Now we will be able to appeal to the
owner-occupier market with apartments in some of our new developments to be sold for a
maximum of R250 000,” he said. “What’s more, one of the leading banks has already
expressed interest in covering all the mortgages for the entire scheme, which is fantastic
news for first-time homeowners.”
At least three sectional title schemes in the Berea area comprising about 300 apartments of
between 30 and 80m2 each will be released to market within the next few months. Aengus
is currently in consultation with existing tenants with regards to building upgrades, the
status of leases etc. However, Rubin says turnaround time will be quick as many of the
buildings are existing residential blocks and in a very good state.
An added benefit to new investors was Aengus’ new in-house bond origination division,
headed by finance expert, Mark Kaplan. Rubin said while the new division would be a
revenue stream, the main motivation behind its establishment was to give clients a seamless
service from marketing through mortgage origination, transfer and then ongoing property
management.
He said Aengus had established a reputation for providing stylish and affordable inner city
accommodation, and investors and tenants were attracted by the total value proposition.
23 Aengus Properties expands to meet growing residential demand - October 2007
3
“Our buildings have all been upgraded to our exacting standards, and offer a contemporary
lifestyle with top-notch safety and security, ongoing maintenance and professional building
administration. We love being in the city and having a role to play in bringing it back to life.
He believes part of their success lies with their attitude. “We don’t see downtown Joburg as
a big hole. Nor do we see it as an opportunity for a fast buck. We’re in this for the long
haul and are committed to the sustainable upgrading of key areas. We’ve seen how
individual property upgrades tend to have a ripple effect on their surroundings.
“One such area is Braamfontein, where we started out with the revamp of the old Biccard
House into the hugely successful Braamfontein Lofts – and where some of our newest
developments will be. Private sector organisations, including ApexHi, have invested over
R500m to upgrade infrastructure and services in the area, and the improvements are
tangible,” Rubin said.
Leissner is confident that there will also be tangible improvements to ApexHi’s bottom-line
as a result of its partnership with Aengus. “The deal structure makes sense to us. Aengus
has the skills to convert or upgrade both commercial and existing residential property into
desirable living spaces, as well as the ability and resources to professionally manage those
properties. Disposals of units will generate profits for ApexHi over time,” he said.
- ends -
For further information contact:
Richard Rubin
MD – Aengus Property Holdings
011 442 1881 / 082 909 9991
richard@aengus.co.za
www.aengus.co.za
Gerald Leissner
CEO - ApexHi Properties Ltd
011 283 0150
23 Aengus Properties expands to meet growing residential demand - October 2007
4
gerald@apexhi.co.za
Issued on behalf of Aengus Lifestyle Properties by:
Tracy Hyams
TDH Communications
083 414 8656
tracyhyams@mweb.co.za

Anyone have R4900 p/m? You can get one of these gorgeous lofts in the fashion precinct...

http://joburglofts.wordpress.com

Gents, you owe yourself a drive around the CBD. God bless 2008 and thanks to 2010.

Aengus has released another building, this time in Parktown. They don't seem to have a website for it, and actually seem to be marketing it via facebook, mainly because (I think) it targets students at Wits and UJ. If you're on facebook, check out the group... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20426545500

The buidling offers Fully Furnished Apartments for 2 students sharing.Free transport to Wits,UJ and Colleges in Braamfontein.Apartments are furnished with 2 beds, fridge, stove, PLASMA TV with 12 channel satellite TV.Wi-fi access,24 hour security and Parking. R1950 per month per student sharing. Bursaries accepted

Aengus has released another building, this time in Parktown. They don't seem to have a website for it, and actually seem to be marketing it via facebook, mainly because (I think) it targets students at Wits and UJ. If you're on facebook, check out the group... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20426545500

The buidling offers Fully Furnished Apartments for 2 students sharing.Free transport to Wits,UJ and Colleges in Braamfontein.Apartments are furnished with 2 beds, fridge, stove, PLASMA TV with 12 channel satellite TV.Wi-fi access,24 hour security and Parking. R1950 per month per student sharing. Bursaries accepted


They call it Parktown Views and its right next to Hillbrow Police Station. The name puzzled me as that builing, IMO, is in Hillbrow. Check the photo and judge for yourself if you know that area.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1070391.jpg

Aengus has released another building, this time in Parktown. They don't seem to have a website for it, and actually seem to be marketing it via facebook, mainly because (I think) it targets students at Wits and UJ. If you're on facebook, check out the group... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20426545500

The buidling offers Fully Furnished Apartments for 2 students sharing.Free transport to Wits,UJ and Colleges in Braamfontein.Apartments are furnished with 2 beds, fridge, stove, PLASMA TV with 12 channel satellite TV.Wi-fi access,24 hour security and Parking. R1950 per month per student sharing. Bursaries accepted


Unfortunately I can't access facebook, please tell me about it Tom.

Who of you still remember Share World next to FNB Stadium? That's a wasted property, its very delapidated. Do you perhaps have any knowledge if its gonna form part of the whole Nasrec Precinct rehabilitation?

I will be glad if they reopen it. That's one place in Joburg I have really enjoyed myself during my childhood

Unfortunately I can't access facebook, please tell me about it Tom.


That's basically all the info I have about it. I think they called it Parktown Views because it's technically on the border of Parktown. They clearly don't want to market it as being in Hillbrow. hehe. Thanks for the photo.

Picasso Resturant and Bar will open in 3 weeks time. I went inside and its huge. I'm loving it already and that's just from the art they have in there and that's all the have done so far but contractors are busy decorating the interior. Next to it there's an art gallery that is 1/4 done and they busy with the remaining part. Picasso is at Harrison and Commisioner. I hope I'm right with harrison.

I went to look for David Kau's DVD at the Carlton and more than 90% of the shops are occupied and its back to business, busy, busy, busy.

Picasso Resturant and Bar will open in 3 weeks time. I went inside and its huge. I'm loving it already and that's just from the art they have in there and that's all the have done so far but contractors are busy decorating the interior. Next to it there's an art gallery that is 1/4 done and they busy with the remaining part. Picasso is at Harrison and Commisioner street. I hope I'm right with harrison.

I went to look for David Kau's DVD at the Carlton and more than 90% of the shops are occupied and its back to business, busy, busy, busy.
I know that this is just for discussion but I had to post it.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1070443.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1070446.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1070445.jpg

Someone, Jakes or Joburg, spoke about the idea that mushroomed but deserted a couple of years ago about opening a resturant at the top of a building in braamfontein. I thought I should share the pics of that building. As mentioned the resturant was gonna be on the round top part of the building.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1070468.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1070470.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/P1070464.jpg

I know that this is just for discussion but I had to post it.


Looks kewl! I'm looking forward to it's opening! Is this the one in FNB House? The one with the large atrium?


Someone, Jakes or Joburg, spoke about the idea that mushroomed but deserted a couple of years ago about opening a resturant at the top of a building in braamfontein. I thought I should share the pics of that building. As mentioned the resturant was gonna be on the round top part of the building.


Yup that's University Corner. Used to be a canteen for Wits, but it's been dead for a long while now. It was part of that development I was talking about - the one where they were going to convert the petrol station into an art gallery for the Wits school of Arts (WSOA). But it seemingly just isn't off the ground yet.

WSOA has done other kewl stuff for the city though - the Substation Gallery in Braamies is theirs, and they were instrumental in erecting the Eland.

Check out their website... It's quite kewl. Then click on 'About the school' and go down to 'The school & City.'

http://digitalarts.wits.ac.za/artworks/

Just had to say it. Pule, you are doing a freaking amazing job on down town Joburg, thanks bro, and we really appreciate your love and passion for this city. Its through people like you that the city will rise from the ashes. big ups to Puleza!!!

Looks kewl! I'm looking forward to it's opening! Is this the one in FNB House? The one with the large atrium?

Yip, that's the one. It will be open in 3 weeks time according to the owner.

Just had to say it. Pule, you are doing a freaking amazing job on down town Joburg, thanks bro, and we really appreciate your love and passion for this city. Its through people like you that the city will rise from the ashes. big ups to Puleza!!!

Thanks Kuls, much appriciated bro and it is with the appriciation from people like you that I make sure that I capture all the wonderful phots.

Can I second that Pule. Your pics and info are superb and I have loved looking through all of them over the past few days. FANTASTIC job bru!

Can I second that Pule. Your pics and info are superb and I have loved looking through all of them over the past few days. FANTASTIC job bru!


Thanks Mike, don't be a strager bro ;)

Old Union Club building up for sale
15 Feb 2008 - Inet Bridge -

Intro
The days of the historical gentlemen’s club will be remembered when the old Union Club building in Bree Street, Johannesburg, comes up for auction later this month

THE days of the historical gentlemen’s club will be remembered when the old Union Club building in Bree Street, Johannesburg, comes up for auction later this month.

Sir Abe Bailey was the founding member and first and only president. Other prominent figures associated with the club include Jock of the Bushveld author Sir Percy Fitzpatrick; the governor-general of the Union of South Africa in 1937, Sir Patrick Duncan; and Leander Starr Jameson of the ill-fated Jameson raid in 1896.

The Alliance Group will auction the building, which now offers 72 renovated one- and two bedroom flats and 12 retail shops.

Built on the corner of Bree and Joubert streets, it is considered a good position for pedestrian shoppers. The shops and flats incorporate the former Palm Court, the Abe Bailey Room, and what was the first-floor dining room, described as a “spectacular hall with a full ceiling supported without a single pillar”.

It was in the Abe Bailey Room that the race-going members met for drinks around the huge fireplace before departing for the race course.

The original building, which cost £40000, was built in 1913 and designed by Herbert Baker.

In the 1930s the roof of the building was raised, and 40 flats for members were added in the three additional floors.

The club’s second rebuilding programme was financed by Rand Mines in 1973, when a row of shops was added, and according to the Sunday Times, “an office block was superimposed at the back of the third floor”. The club provided a side entrance in Joubert Street for members.

Sadly, these measures did not return the club to financial health, and it was unable to cover the rates, which by then amounted to R26000 a year. This contrasts with the gross income of the building today, which is R366000 a year.

The club was sold in 1973, fetching R1,3m. Carel Birkby wrote in the Sunday Times of September that year that the buyer was granted a mortgage bond of R800000 for 10 years. In return, the club was allowed to remain on the premises for 10 years.

At one time the Union Club had more than 3000 members. By the 1970s, however, there were a mere 500 members left, with only about 200 of them active. Yet in the beginning its members were counted among the cream of South African society.

In those days the code of conduct for members was strict, and unconventional behaviour frowned upon. One member who enjoyed standing on his head on the bar counter was suspended for overstepping the boundaries of propriety. In 1964, Jannie le Roux, the then vice-president of the Transvaal Rugby Football Union, was blackballed for not meeting the club conditions.

Source: Business Day

Curtain comes down on Lion King

Thembelihle Tshabalala | Johannesburg, South Africa

17 February 2008 09:35

It was described as the show that couldn't close, but on Sunday the curtain will finally come down on the Lion King, by far and away South Africa's most popular stage production.

This internationally acclaimed musical entered the South African theatre scene in June last year, and its stay has been extended three times.

"We received such an overwhelming response, that each time we were meant to close the show we just couldn't," said Philip Godawa, the director of the Lion King South Africa, this week.

Godawa told the Mail & Guardian Online that the show was blessed to have had its original director, Julie Taymor, coming to monitor the production before its opening.

"She came to South Africa before the opening, and that doesn't normally happen with other Lion Kings in other countries," he said.

The Lion King was first performed in Minneapolis, United States, on July 31 1997. It then went on to play in 11 countries. In fact, it's been playing continuously in one country or another since it was first performed.

A R100-million theatre, the Teatro at the Montecasino in Johannesburg, was specially built for the production -- and it's been full every night since the show opened in July.

But perhaps the most significant aspect of the show is that it has been seen by many people who ordinarily would not have had the chance to see a world-class production.

About 38 000 children from schools in townships like Soweto and Alexandra were bussed in to Montecasino every Wednesday afternoon for three months through the Lion King School Outreach Programme.

"These children were sponsored by Telkom, together with Absa and the Lebo M foundation, to come and experience the magic of theatre. Unfortunately we could only take children whose schools are situated not more than 100km from the venue, so that meant that they had to be Gauteng schools," said Nakedi Chiloane of Telkom.

Buyisile Zama (who plays Rafiki) said the Lion King could well have attracted a whole new variety of theatre lovers. "I am happy that the Lion King made its way through [to] audiences that are not traditional theatre lovers, especially black people."

The 29-year-old woman from KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal, who has seen the world through the Lion King, had never performed for her family until the show came to South Africa. She has been with the Lion King for six years and has played the part of Rafiki on overseas projects on many occasions.

"When I was called for the show I was in the United States preparing to work for the Lion King Touring Company. The South African producers asking me if I wanted to play Rafiki for the Lion King South Africa," she said, adding that deciding between staying in the US and performing for South Africans was tough.

Godawa said that the Lion King South Africa was atypical from overseas productions.

"Apart from the fact that the cast enjoyed playing their parts even more because the audience could relate, what was more exciting was the fact that the dankies and the eishes actually meant something and got reactions each time they were said," he said.

The show has sold a record-breaking 550 000 tickets since its opening and was fully booked on almost every night.

'I cannot get over the show'
"The Lion King has broken every record ever made in South African entertainment; I don't think that any theatrical show will ever outplay the Lion King for at least another decade," said producer Peter Toerien.

Toerien said that he has seen the show about forty times, but is still excited by it.

"I cannot get over the show; it is unfortunate that the next time I'll be seeing, it will be the last, which gives me an overwhelming feeling of sadness. But I can't tell you how much I enjoyed being amongst the audience and watching it as though I was not part of it," he said.

When the curtains come down on Sunday night, many of the cast members will have "grown tremendously", said Toerien.

"I'm telling you that this has been a learning experience for every single one of them, even those who are big household names like Sello [Maake ka Ncube]. The cast has been part of the production for months now and they have grown to be part of the Lion King family," he said.

Even though the producers could not disclose how much the show has grossed or how much the cast members have made, it is clear that cast members have little financial complaints.

"I had to take a pay cut when I agreed to come and play Rafiki at home because the currency is not the same as the other countries I've worked in, but I can assure that my standards of living haven't dropped at all. It's just that back there life is a bit more expensive, so you do need more money," said Zama.

Toerien said the producers "try to be as fair as possible in paying the cast because I would hate for anyone to be underpaid, but obviously a person like Buyi [Zama] is an international Lion King star and even here at home she would be paid like one, so she would probably get ten times more than what a beginner would".

After the show closes the cast will have four months to themselves before dashing off to tour Asia in July, which will be a first-time experience for newcomers like Simon Gwala (who plays the character Banzai). "I am so excited to be part of this experience and to get the chance to stay with the production for longer," Gwala said.

The tour will start with shows in Taiwan and then move on to Hong Kong. "We are scheduled to stay there for twelve months, but anything can happen," said Toerien.

After the Lion King closes, the 1 900-seater Montecasino Teatro will take a breather until March, when it will host a Russian production, Swan Lake on Ice.

Nice coverage here of Ponte...

http://www.jhblive.co.za/live/publications_view.jsp?pub_id=225258

Ponte Brings Sexy Back
The New Ponte City

There's no question about it: Johannesburg's city centre is getting better and better. I took a tour of the new City Ponte Building with the new apartments. The view from the eighth floor was surprisingly exceptional, even though there are over 50 floors in this incredibly unaesthetic building. The floor itself was still coated in rubbish, but as the relater, Ngarie Blankenberg explained, "It's a good thing, I've been coming to the building every day for close to a year and really this is the worst it's ever looked." Sure, I thought sceptically, as I missioned my way over boulders and obtuse rocks, trying to stay alive and still keep up with the group. The next on-site view was anything but reassuring.

Nice coverage for Picasso's too. Maybe we should make this the venue for the first ever Joburg SSC meet? :D

Picasso's: Make way, it's back!
Old and new,with art as a side dish!

Most die-hard couch and coffee fanatics will remember Picasso's in Rosebank. We're going back a few years ago, before The Zone rudely plonked itself on its spot and it subsequently closed shop.

During the same time period, everyone was panicking and in a mass exodus, was getting the f*ck out of town and setting themselves up in Sandton.

Cont..
http://www.jhblive.co.za/live/publications_view.jsp?pub_id=223459

Here's the link: http://kaganof.com/kagablog/2008/02/12/recycling-a-city/
(for pictures)


Recycling a City

The regeneration of Johannesburg’s inner city has yet to be realised. The middle classes are hesitant and the impoverished are fighting to stay put, writes Mary Corrigall



Commissioner Street is a good place to locate an inexpensive lunch of slap chips and Russians. This bustling city street is flanked by budget shops flogging clothing, cheap tupperware and faux gold clocks and is lined with informal traders purveying polished red apples displayed in tattered green plastic plates. It is a hub of crude commerce that seems an unlikely place for a contemporary art gallery with allusions to wealth and sophistication. But it is in this incongruous setting in Jozi’s inner city that Charl Bezuidenhout established Worldart nearly a year ago.

The bare concrete floor and exposed pipes that adorn the walls of his gallery visually root the gallery in its urban landscape. Downstairs is an empty basement that was once home to Jameson’s, a club that found favour with suburban whites in the eighties. A thick carpet of grime and dust covers the bar, the only trace of its former incarnation and the city’s illustrious past. Across the road is another icon of the city’s history, the Rand Club. A hungry fire gutted the landmark edifices’ interior in 2005 but like a persistent phoenix that won’t accept its demise this grand old edifice remains a swish destination and a permanent reminder that Joburg’s colonial history cannot be eradicated. Adjacent to the club are indications of Jozi’s future incarnation; a dusty construction site earmarked for a Vida e Caffe, a coffee shop chain associated with trendy shopping mall culture. Bezuidenhout is jubilant about the coffee shop’s expected presence. “It will change this little part of the city, it is a small thing but it will make a difference,” he observes.


Having inhabited metropolises across Europe and America, the Afrikaans-speaking Capetonian is a self-confessed serial city dweller, who feeds off the energy and buzz that accompanies city living. But his desire to dwell in the heart of Jozi’s inner city is rooted in a more complex matrix of human endeavours than simply an obsession with urban aesthetics.

Many progressive middle class South Africans like Bezuidenhout have bought into the vision of a revitalised inner city that the City of Johannesburg has propagated just prior to the turn of the millennium. When Thabo Mbeki launched a new vision for the area in 1997, dubbing it the Golden Heartbeat of Africa, it galvanised a plethora of development programmes by the Johannesburg Development Agency to uplift and revitalise a city that businesses had escaped a decade earlier, leaving it for dead. Since Mbeki’s grand gesture Jozi’s city centre has attracted a ruck of opportunistic entrepreneurs, looking to turn a buck while participating in the noble pursuit of re-erecting a flailing city. Like the thousands of prospectors who once flocked to Johannesburg to claim a chunk of the gold-laden reefs of the city, Bezuidenhout wanted to acquire a piece of a city rumoured to be ascending. It also made fiscal sense to embrace the vision while the city’s property was still going for a song.

“Joburg obviously has that allure for a businessman, the market is bigger. It’s the ideal place to come if you are looking for a challenge. I have been coming to the city for a number of years and noticed it getting cleaner and safer. The phase that the city is in now, rent is still affordable.”

“There is a definite optimism in the air I think it is because City council bought into the whole thing and a few people who were willing to try it. I don’t think it was rocket science it was a question of ‘this is too good to be true’ it was in line with international trends and few people willing to put their head on the block on going for it while the rest are just following their lead, slowly.”

Participating in the resurrection of a grand city, Africa’s most infamous conurbation, also offers a frisson of anticipation that is unquestionably seductive to financial daredevils.

“It’s exciting to be part of something special and I am playing my role in contributing to changing perceptions about the city,” says Bezuidenhout.

Jozi’s inner city promises more than just a pot of gold at the end the rainbow; it caters for a new breed of South African entrepreneurs who are socially engaged. Melding business ethics with a social conscience may sound contradictory but it just such an ethos that drives many entrepreneurs in Jozi’s inner city.

For Bezuidenhout setting up his business in this locale facilitates relationships with a wealth of African artists who he would never have encountered in the northern suburbs of the city. It also puts him in contact with a cosmopolitan society that takes its cue from African culture.

“I really wanted to put myself in the position where I am in contact with a more African experience. In Cape Town you don’t have that. You have to be proactive about striking up relationships with people from other backgrounds while at the same time you should not try too hard either, where the relationship is superficial. So the best thing is to put yourself in the position where it can happen to you.

“I think that you are cheating when you live in Cape Town and claim that you know anything about South Africa. I am not saying that everyone must live in Joburg but for me it is nice to know that I am gaining a certain understanding of (the country) by living here.”

Bezuidenhout’s desire to become part of an urban African culture hasn’t taken off yet; he is only gradually being absorbed into the bustling activity that takes places on the other side the thick glass windows of his gallery.

His clientele remain typically affluent whites - not the usual patrons that the inner city attracts. Not the market in town, expecting his market will change.

Some of Bezuidenhout’s clientele are afraid to come into the city. Bezuidenhout tries to allay his patrons’ misgivings about Joburg by relaying his own experience of the city or, failing that he sends a taxi to fetch them and bring them to the city.

“The streets have become cleaner and safer and there is a feeling that the city is being managed but people are not that convinced yet.”

It has been over a decade since Joburg acquired its new moniker, but Bezuidenhout believes that it is not yet the “Golden Heartbeat of Africa.” Optimistic investors have snapped up all the luxury apartments in town – Urban Ocean, one of the city’s most prominent property developers, have sold all the luxury apartments in the five odd buildings they have revamped in the city so far. But Bezuidenhout says that these swish lofts are sitting empty, indicating a lack of confidence in the city’s regeneration.

“A lot of people have bought in town but people haven’t moved into the apartments and started living in them. It is slowly beginning to happen once the retail side of things has picked up and you have more restaurants and bars and shops then things will change,” he asserts.

“The city thing is happening but it hasn’t reached that tipping point yet.”

Pockets of affluence

While Jozi’s inner city has yet to rise from the ashes, the establishment of Mapungubwe, a four star luxury hotel situated between Anderson and Marshall Streets, is being viewed as a sign that the ramshackle city is unquestionably upwardly mobile.

Once inside its slick, sophisticated Afrochic décor it is hard to believe that one is minutes away from the masses that pound the pavements on the hectic streets outside. The sepia photographs of rural African settings that decorate the lobby’s wall complete the fantasy but it is the hotel’s urban setting that makes it one of the most unique hotels in the country. Aside from a few dives that offer accommodation elsewhere in Jozi’s inner city, Mapungubwe is the only establishment that offers four star accommodation in the area. Since the Carlton Hotel and the Johannesburg Sun’s closure, there has been nowhere for tourists to rest their weary legs. Until now, it hadn’t occurred to hoteliers that tourists would be interested in spending time in Jozi’s inner city.

But it is not tourists that make up most of Mapungubwe’s clientele.

Tour companies that service foreign visitors are reticent about bringing groups to the city centre for an overnight stay, according to Carberry.

“They stay in Sandton or Rosebank and prefer to see the city from a tour bus. They don’t even get out of the bus; they just move quickly in and out of the city,” observes Carberry.

Mapungubwe doesn’t need tourists to stay afloat; the hotel can barely keep up with the present demand, says Carberry.

Primarily they attract businessmen who are in town to do business at one of the large corporations that have remained in the city, according to the hotel’s manager, Martin Carberry. Standard Bank, Absa and First National Bank’s headquarters compel people to visit the inner city and have kept Mapungubwe in business. Gustav Holtzhausen, managing director of Circlevest Properties, the company that owns Mapungubwe, says the presence of these corporate headquarters is what compelled him to look at investment opportunities in the city.

As with Bezuidenhout the affordability of the acquisition provided an extra incentive to purchase the defunct French Bank building and turn it into a reasonably priced luxury destination.

To make up for the limited range of activities nearby for the hotel’s guests to amuse a swish and trendy whisky bar is being built in the old vault located at the basement of the hotel, which will no doubt provide an oasis of luxury for those who live in the city.

Mapungubwe is not the only isolated patch of lavishness in Jozi’s inner city; there are pockets of affluence dotted around the city – sometimes one has to head into town on foot to discover them.

Newtown has been a mainstay of entertainment since the mid nineties with its funky bars and Afrochic eateries around the Market Theatre. The last year has seen the scene expand to include bars and an art gallery on Quinn Street and No 1 Central Place has become a must-do lunch spot with Capello’s and The Sophiatown Restaurant now attracting a trendy clique. A large amount of the patrons might well be suburbanites wanting to sample urban living without having to commit to it in practice but nevertheless they are contributing towards creating the impression that the inner city is cutting edge.

Main Street is now also offering what property developers call “the lifestyle element.”

Now a paved street with decorated with public art, it too is lined with fashionable eateries that show signs of an emerging street café society in the making.

Though a shopping mall is rumoured to be on the cards and a Woolworths food outlet will be open by the end of the year, further extending that ever illusive “lifestyle element” into the thick of the inner city, for now this brand of consumerism is restricted to just a few locales.

Home away from Home

Apart from the colourful mosaiced patterns that snake along the pavements in the so-called Fashion District, there is little evidence of rejuvenation in Doornfontein. In fact some say the suburb has degenerated since a number of clothing factories closed down during a downturn in business in the 1990s. Where once bottle stores and dark café’s sold greasy vetkoeks to seamstresses on their tea breaks stood, now stands vacant, unkempt properties with broken windows held together with caked fabric off cuts.

Amidst the grime, crime and decay, however, Lawrence Lemoaona has established a comfortable and roomy abode in End Street. An artist by trade Lemoaona was initially seduced by the ample space that his Doornfontein loft boasts. No matter what fantasy realms his imagination may transport him too, the vistas of Jozi’s concrete jungle that beckon from the expansive windows of his apartment will forever keep him rooted in an urban African reality.

Although Lemoaoana feels at home in his sparse loft, he has yet to reconcile himself with the world that exists from the pavement outside.

“I haven’t really been able to integrate with community here,” says Lemoaona.

He feels like a stranger in a strange land.

“I feel foreign to the space. There are lots of Nigerian shops that have opened and there is a resistance (from my part) to integrate. I feel like a I am dealing with an unknown quantity; I cannot place the people I meet.”

Until a over a year ago Lemoaona has lived in Soweto with his parents. In Soweto Lemoaona was used to being part of a tightly knit community, where he felt looked after.

“It is so different from Soweto. Soweto is so communal and there are always so many people around you that you know.”

He chose to live in Doornfontein because he wanted to access to the northern suburbs without having to pay the high rentals that living in those neighbourhoods commonly entails.

Initially Lemoaona was reluctant to move to the inner city.

“Living in Soweto I viewed the city as just a passageway to go to somewhere else, it wasn’t’ a place you lived in.”

Dwelling in Doornfontein took some getting use to.

“I couldn’t sleep properly for the first couple months. The city comes alive at 5am. That is when the taxis starting to hoot. Now I take comfort in those sounds, they have become familiar to me.”

Lemoaona sums up his association with his adopted home as a love/hate relationship.

The poverty that he is constantly surrounded by and the fear of crime have kept his optimisim for the city in check.

“Crime is a factor. I was mugged on Nugget Street on the same street that Gito Baloyi was shot,” says Lemoaona pointing out the window.

“They have installed cameras, which has made it a bit safer but my safety is one of my main worries.”

The building in which Lemoaona lives is somewhat of an artist’s enclave. Nicholas Nhlobo, Usha Seejarim, Gordon Froud, Jackie Mc Innes are just a few of the high profile artists who rent studio space in the building.

“This building feels like a bubble almost, its like living in Sandton and there is all this poverty around us. It is the sort of environment where you are safe inside but not outside.”

Lemoaona travels to Melville or other northern suburbs of Johannesburg to socialise. Most of his friends are reticent about visiting his Doornfontein loft.

“They have got a barrier about coming to town. Also when they do come they display this tourist mentality; when you take them to the roof they gasp at all the poverty, take out their cameras and start taking photographs and these are Joburgers.”

It is tricky living in such close proximity to the impoverished, says Lemoaona.

“You really see the poverty, surrounded by it. Looking at it makes me feel claustrophobic because it is so many people living in such close quarters, it is not very freeing.”

Though Lemoaona recoils from the poverty that he is faced with everyday, experiencing it first hand has shifted his attitudes.

“I was very judgemental at first; thinking how can these people live like that. But then I tried to dissect their mentality and realised that people don’t’ treasure space that doesn’t belong to them.”

Lemoaona has noticed the effect of regeneration programmes in the city and while he does believe that the physical structure of the city needs to be altered to shift negative attitudes he is simultaneously sceptical about which communities will benefit from the revitalisation.

“Newtown has become a very upmarket place in town. For me it represents the Black middle class. The establishments around that area don’t actually cater for the people who live around there. So you have a lot of northern suburbs people and tourists going to that part of town to places that have a menu that is “black”. But they are such expensive restaurants that people who live in town can’t afford to eat there. But there is a vibe there so I do like going there.”

Witnessing the Red Ants, the inner city’s notorious task team charged with removing people from “bad buildings”, have further challenged Lemoaoa’s conception of regeneration. “When it is happening right in front of you, you find out first hand what regeneration means.

When I was walking through Hillbrow one evening I noticed that the Red Ants are now coming at night and they have got these big trucks that move people away. And you start to think what does ‘away’ mean and where is it?”

The more positive thoughts he has about the city are founded in its future possibilities rather than its current status quo.

“I like it for what it potentially has,” admits Lemoaona.

The rich versus the poor

Near what was once the Financial District (and still is, depending on who you talk to), near Rissik and Market Streets are quite a different brand of loft apartments created by Urban Ocean, a property company headed by Alfonso Botha and Duan Coetzee. The duo snap up dilapidated architectural gems, return them to their former glory, fitted them up with all the best mod cons before selling them off for decidedly large sums of money. So far they have revamped five buildings in the inner city. And they haven’t exactly scrimped on fittings; from the best wooden flooring money can buy, designer sanitaryware, stainless steel appliances, oak veneer and solid oak carpentry, in-door coffee bars, spas and wellness centres, these two mavericks have caught the attention of the moneyed classes, compelling them to return their gaze to the inner city. Some of their deluxe penthouses – some of which have access via helicopter - have fetched as much R4-million – an unprecedented sum for living space in Jozi’s city centre. Not too surprisingly Urban Ocean’s successes have caught the attention of the media, engendering the impression that Jozi’s inner city is no longer the mainstay of the impoverished.

However, many say that these opulent abodes were snapped up by investors who had no intention of living in town in its present state.

Botha refutes these claims.

“In the beginning investors did buy into a lifestyle that did not exist yet, now that is not the case.”

Holtzhausen believes that Urban Ocean jumped the gun with their super deluxe apartments. He says that the city’s revitalisation has a long way to go before the affluent will happily settle in the city.

“We have a long way to go before we get there,” asserts Holtzhausen, “Revitalising a city is long drawn out process, which often creates the impression that little is happening the in the city, says Botha.

“People aren’t taking into consideration the technical processes and lag time that is involved in converting a building.”

Botha says the public should remember how far the city has come in the last decade.

“People forget that the whole city was like a slum, it has been a long process of changing behaviour. But there have been massive changes.”

More parks, schools and upmarket retailers would be needed in order to coax the well-heeled to settle in the inner city, suggests Holtzhausen.

Though Lael Bethlehem, chief executive officer at the JDA, says that all these kinds of facilities are on already on the cards, she suggests that the real focus has been to create residential developments for the low to middle income groups.

“That’s where the real action has been. The upper end of the market is a small niche market, it’s the lower income groups that need housing. One property developer will be building 3000 new units this year in the city and that is just one developer,” says Bethlehem.

The Inner City Charter, the document outlining the objectives for regeneration developments in the city for the next five years, looks set to put more revamp projects in motion, starting with infamous no-go areas as Hillbrow and Berea, where so-called “block by block blitzes” and the upgrading of public property will be set into motion.

While everyone agrees that Jozi’s inner city needs to be revamped and upgraded, regeneration strategies aimed at this part of the city have not been welcomed by the city’s current residents – mostly the poor, who are under constant threat from the municipality.

Mostly it is the City’s approach to dealing with “bad buildings”, which tends to entail forcibly removing its “bad” residents out of the city., that has drawn criticism from among others, the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (Cals) at Wits University, an organisation that have tirelessly battled the municipality on behalf of Jozi’s disenfranchised, fighting for their right to remain in the city centre.

Assumed to be criminals and the like, engendering a negative impact on perceptions about the city centre, it is thought that Jozi’s regeneration cannot be fully realised as long as these “bad” elements continue to inhabit and flourish in the city.

Stephen Hobbs and Marcus Neustetter, of the Trinity Sessions, a company that manages public art projects in the inner city, and have been commissioned to oversee the erection of R3,5 millions worth of public art in Hillbrow, in an effort to change the face of this notorious no-go area of the city are all too aware of the implications that regenerating has for the city’s apparent undesirable inhabitants.

“There has been criticism that this is an exercise to spruce up the neighbourhood so that one day the property developers can move in buy up all the buildings and kick the community out, which is a realistic threat wherever you go and you are working in these kinds of environments,” says Neustetter.

Revitalising a city automatically has consequences for the poor.

“The regeneration is not for the people that are there; the upgrade is pushing the value of the property up so that it has to be marketed to a middle class that is afraid to go there,” says Hobbs.

Bethlehem insists that regeneration programmes are meant to benefit the all echelons of our society. She says that the inner city is a diverse area that can accommodate a variety of economic groups.

The R170-million that has been set aside to spruce up Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville – the city’s next big regeneration programme – is designed to benefit its current occupants as well as potential residents.

“It is about making their quality of life much better.”

One must not think of the regeneration of Johannesburg as course of action that necessarily pre-empts a struggle between rich property developers and the poor, according to Bethlehem.

“It is a false dichotomy. It is not about property developers versus the poor. We need property investors; they are able to service working people.”


The Wrong side of the Tracks

The name “San Jose” conjures up visions of an exotic Spanish holiday home. The infamous building that stands in Berea on the border of Hillbrow that goes by the same name is by no means a pleasurable haven. There is no electricity, running water or working toilets. Most of the window panes of the 10-storey building are broken or missing. Graffiti is sprawled across its dirty walls and the heavy stench of urine permeates the air. For all sense and purposes it is the quintessential “bad building” that has given the inner city its pejorative reputation.

Fifty-five-year-old Nelson Khethani has been living here for over five years. Unemployed and destitute he moved into San Jose after the municipality cut off services to the building - a move engineered to coerce residents to move elsewhere. But with limited finances, Khetani and the other 600 odd residents of this derelict eye-sore had nowhere else to go and have had to fight the municipality– with the aid of Stuart Wilson, a researcher from Cals – to keep their foothold in the city.

“If it wasn’t for Cals we would have been on the street,” says Khetani.

Even thought it is a bright and sunny day, inside Khetani’s flat it is dark. In contrast to the dilapidated interior of the building, Khetani’s home is a well kept, tidy space. even during a sunny day no electricity, it is sparsely furnished but spacious flat with a lounge, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.

“This is a home Even if I don’t like to stay here I am forced to stay here. I would like to live somewhere with lights but I don’t have money so what can I do.”

Khetani uses candles and oil lamps at night and must trek outside to a portable toilet when he needs the toilet. Having lived without electricity and other amenities most of his life he is resigned to an impoverished living standard.


“It is not strange to me I am coming from the village and I am used to this life. It is not new to me I have grown up inside this (poverty).”

Khetani moved to Johannesburg from a small hamlet in the Eastern Cape in 1970. After losing fulltime employment in 1992, he has eked out a living selling a variety of goods on the city’s streets. Although the municipality would have it that Khetani and his ilk, lived on the outskirts of the city, Khetani has to live in Jozi’s inner city to survive – he says transport costs to and from the city “would kill me.”

“They are pushing the poor out of Joburg (inner city) they even said they want us to go. They want us to go to Soweto, Kliptown. We are too poor to stay in town.”

He also believes that it is in only this bustling metropolis, brimming with opportunities, that he still may have the chance to alter his fortunes and change the course of his life.

“Everything is here, close to everything, if you want to change your life you must change it here. In the village you will never change your life.”

So far the regeneration programmes in the inner city have not had any impact on Khetani’s life, or his outlook for the future. He believes that transformations in the city are not designed to benefit the poor.

“I have seen the buildings that they have fixed. It is okay for them but not for us. It is not for us and I cannot manage to live. I feel neglected.

Khetani disputes the idea that “bad people” live in purported “bad buildings”.

“It is not the case at all,” he sighs.

The residents of San Jose are at pains to curb criminals from inhabiting or operating in the building, according to Khetani, who functions as the chairman of the residents association. A set of strict house rules were drawn up by the inhabitants of San Jose to ensure that a “bad” element cannot flourish in the building.

One such rule stipulates that no resident may park a car in the garage on the ground floor.

“If we allow that then we have a problem because people could be bringing stolen cars and we don’t want that here.”

San Jose may not have been maintained since the managing agents of the building stopped reicieving remittances from the owners of the building to pay rates and services since the early nineties but the residents of the bulding seem determined to do what little they can to maintain the building.

At 4.30am on Sunday mornings San Jose’s residents wake each other up so that by six am they can begin their weekly clean up of the building, , according to Khetani.

Though they mop up the sewerage that fills ground floor, which is responsible for the stomach churning stench of urine that permeates the air, it has been a losing battle since the municipality cut services to the building.

If regeneration programmes had a positive impact on any of Khetani’s acquaintances at San Jose or in the environs, it would restore his faith in the regeneration of the inner city.

“I would like to see changes in my life and the lives of other like me. Even if it (regeneration of the city) doesn’t make my life better, if I came across someone I know that has struggled and I see that things have got better for him that would give me hope.”

For now, however, Khetani believes that revitalisation plans are profiting the rich.

“The poor are getting poorer and the rich richer.”

Khetani and the residents of San Jose will not be living in the building for much longer, Wilson has helped negotiate with the municipality to secure a new home for all of them in Hillbrow. Although their flats will be half the size, their new abode has electricity and running water.

San Jose will then fall into the hands of the property developers and be assimilated into the new vision of Johannesburg. No one is sure, when the new improved city centre will finally emerge. It is a work in progress.

Welcome Lefa, I remember you sent me a pm and I thought you vanished.

^^ Thanks Lefa - really interesting article! Gives a nice well-balanced view of where we have come and where we are still to go. Also good news of the Vida. ;)

Top court stops Jo'burg evictions

Johannesburg, South Africa

19 February 2008 03:48

The City of Johannesburg cannot evict inner-city tenants living in central Johannesburg unless adequate alternative accommodation is provided, the Constitutional Court ruled on Tuesday.

"Potential homelessness must be considered by a city when it decides whether to evict people from buildings," said the court in a statement after the ruling.

In a unanimous judgement by Judge Zak Yacoob, it was decided that while a municipality has an obligation to eliminate unsafe and unhealthy buildings, it also has a constitutional duty to provide access to adequate housing.

The court said meaningful engagement, in which tenants are treated as "human beings", has to take place between municipalities and people potentially being evicted.

In the future, courts will have to take into account whether there was meaningful engagement before they can grant an order evicting people from their homes.

The court also found the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act to be unconstitutional. This Act makes it a crime for people to remain in buildings after a municipality has issued an eviction notice, but before any court has ordered an eviction.

The court ordered that a proviso be included that will only make it a crime for people to occupy a building if a court order for eviction has already been issued. The proviso will not apply to cases in which people have already been convicted of contravening the section.

The city was ordered to pay the costs of the applicants.

Eviction battle
The case involving tenants of the San Jose building in Berea -- and those of a disused panel-beating workshop on Main Street in the city centre -- began when the city applied to the Johannesburg High Court for the eviction of more than 400 occupiers of inner-city buildings, because the buildings were apparently unsafe and unhealthy.

The high court refused to evict the tenants. It ordered the city to remedy its housing programme, which was considered inadequate.

The city appealed to the Supreme Court of Appeals, which granted the eviction, on condition that alternative accommodation be provided to those left homeless.

Before the Constitutional Court gave judgement, it ordered the parties to engage meaningfully with each other. The court hoped the parties will find at least short-term solutions to improve living conditions and find alternative accommodation.

The parties reached consensus that the city will not eject the occupiers, that it will upgrade the buildings and that it will provide temporary accommodation. They also agreed to meet and discuss permanent housing solutions. The Constitutional Court made the agreement reached by the parties an order of the court.

Reacting to the judgement on Tuesday, tenants' spokesperson Cherice Sibanda told South African Broadcasting Corporation news that she was very happy with the ruling. "I'm so glad. I don't know what to do. I'm very much happy. I think it sends a message to our government that really, what they were doing, it was totally unfair to the poor people," she said.

A senior researcher at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, Jackie Dugard, welcomed the ruling. "For the applicants, as well as for poor occupiers more generally, the judgement represents a victory," she said. -- Sapa

"inner-city tenants " <-- does this mean these are rent paying people as opposed to squatters?

If so it sounds like the city should absolutely provide alternative housing.

"inner-city tenants " <-- does this mean these are rent paying people as opposed to squatters?


Not necessarily. Certainly I think in San Jose (the disputed block of flats) the 'tenants' were in fact squatters. However, according to them, they were bona fide tenants who paid rent to a landland. The landlord however had hijacked the building, and so when the Red Ants came along, it was a nasty surprise to the tenants because they thought they were legally entitled to be there.

there are also landlord collecting rents when they are not landlords but simply imply they are

These people pay rent for their rooms or flats - disproportianate in many cases. Unfortunately they do not know their rights - and they are intimidated by the slumlords. It is a travesty to push these people out into the street, while the slumlords move on to another building. Slumlords make millions, and those whom they prey on are the poorest of the poor. The police should do a crackdown on these slumlords, instead of preying on the poor. By letting slumlords get away, the problem spreads. Now hillbrow is cleaning up, but slumlords are moving into doornfontein, and other areas.

it makes me angry.

A city should treat its residents as resources. They should not be treated as a drain on resources.

Not necessarily. Certainly I think in San Jose (the disputed block of flats) the 'tenants' were in fact squatters. However, according to them, they were bona fide tenants who paid rent to a landland. The landlord however had hijacked the building, and so when the Red Ants came along, it was a nasty surprise to the tenants because they thought they were legally entitled to be there.

Four new SA hotels to open
2008/02/22

A hotel group announced on Thursday that it has four new hotels in or about to commence development, at a cost of R622m, in Cape Town, Pretoria, Sandton and Umhlanga.

ISO Leisure chief executive Gavin Watson said the group's first new property - in Cape Town - would open on March 1.

ISO Leisure has an exclusive agreement with the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) to develop Holiday Inn Express hotels in South Africa.

"Developed at a cost of R130m, the 175-room Holiday Inn Express in St George's Mall, in the heart of Cape Town's revived and vibrant CBD, will be the first to open," he said.

This will be followed by the R112m Sandton Woodmead in mid-June, Pretoria Sunnypark, R180m, in March 2009 and the R200m Umhlanga property in 2010.

"These projects total R622m in new investment, and are indicative of our confidence going forward in the country's economy, especially its leisure and tourism sector".

Watson said that the group planned to develop 25 new hotels in South Africa over the next ten years, and was assessing opportunities elsewhere in Africa.

"Our four new properties will add 900 keys to the country's stock of quality hotel rooms. We have three further projects in the immediate pipeline with a probable cost of R595m, adding a further 680 rooms to our inventory. We expect to be able to make an announcement soon regarding these hotels," he added. – I-Net Bridge

Courtesy Property24.com

PS:Pule if Im not mistaken Ive already seem a render for one of these hotels (I think its Sandton) will look up OK?

Cheers

Marco


He then later sent me this pic, the hotel will be in woodmead.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/hotels_holiday_inn_woodmead_jpg.jpg

Another unknown building is being constructed in the CBD. This building is located next to Park Station.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1070817.jpg

This is a little ridiculous...

Tempers flare in Newtown eatery row
25 Feb 2008 - Inet Bridge -

By Gabisile Ndebele

The Joburg Development Agency has had to intervene in a catfight between two restaurants.

Ziggy Thabethe, owner of the sophisticated Sophiatown restaurant on Jeppe Street, opposite Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, is angry with Capello next door, which he says is operating as a nightclub.

At night Capello, a franchised restaurant with outlets from Lonehill to Soweto, has speakers blasting house music onto the pavement side of its sliding doors.

Thabethe said the noise was driving away his customers.

“If I knew that I was moving next to a nightclub, I don’t think I would have moved here at all,” he said.

“Friday nights, they have a club scene, DJs, big speakers outside, people dancing. Some people get rowdy and end up p*****g on my kitchen window and assaulting my bouncers,” he said.

Thabethe said that at Sophiatown’s anniversary party on February 8, singer Tu Nokwe’s performance was drowned out by the loud noise from next door and she was forced to stop her show.

The dispute came to a head last Friday when a fight broke out between two men at Capello, leaving blood splatters and bloodied tissues scattered in the restaurants’ shared courtyard.

At the same time, a bouncer employed by Sophiatown, who Thabethe declined to name, was, he said, hit with a brick on the head, allegedly by four Capello patrons.

The Newtown Capello, which was previously owned by soccer star Brian Baloyi and SABC radio boss Bob Mabena, is now owned by Sylvester Ratlabala, who this week denied that the restaurant was operating as a club. He also said he was responsible only for what happened inside his restaurant.

He said Thabethe was “just being childish and fearing competition”.

Thabethe has sent four e- mails of complaint to the JDA, his landlord .

He said he “feels they are not doing anything about the situation” .

Said Ratlabala : “It’s really sad that he can go all the way to JDA when I am just next door to him to tell his problems to, face to face.

“He has never come to me or even greeted me and I really don’t know what is his problem.”

JDA spokesman Sammy Mafu said the agency wanted to encourage Thabethe to “resolve matters through dialogue and structured follow-up rather than creating unhelpful media hype”.

He said the JDA had written to Capello and asked the restaurant “to desist from conducting itself like a nightclub and stick to the Capello franchise brand of being an exclusive, upmarket, relaxed restaurant”.

“Failure to adhere to this might result in us tabling the matter with the franchise principals,” he said.

Source: Sunday Times

Haha..

Reminds me of the fights that Rosebank News Cafe had with it's neighbours when it opened. It was reported in the Sunday times years back...

Capello is a nice place as a coffee shop I must say.

i don't really like that one in Newtown. the only Capello i like is the one on Gandhi Square. but they certainly have made their presence felt in Joburg!

I only know the one in Cavendish lol

i don't really like that one in Newtown. the only Capello i like is the one on Gandhi Square. but they certainly have made their presence felt in Joburg!

There's another one in Prichard Street in the same building as Pitje chambers. Its a low laid back one but I think the owners need to do more of marketing.

oh yah i've seen that one, probably quite popular with advocates and attorneys. never been to it though.

Read this... http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/2213/58/

It seems the Gauteng Gov Precinct is still going ahead. And a 15-floor building is proposed too. Pule... any chance of getting Neil Fraser to come to the Picasso Party?

Read this... http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/2213/58/

It seems the Gauteng Gov Precinct is still going ahead. And a 15-floor building is proposed too. Pule... any chance of getting Neil Fraser to come to the Picasso Party?


I will try to get him to come over, Jakes please also talk to him if you can.

This si the building that Neil is refering to here as the worst building that is facing the proposed location of 15-floor building. Renovations are currently taking place in this building.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1070845.jpg

Gents, today on Radio 702 John Robby spoke about the developments that are gonna take place around the Gautrain Station and he said that there's an article about that in one of today's newspaper. He spoke about high rises and I don't remeber high rises being mentioned for Zonke'zizwe. Have you guys heard anything about that?

I think it's one of the most gorgeous buildings in the city! Glad to hear they're renovating it! Do you know anything more about the renovations?

I think it's one of the most gorgeous buildings in the city! Glad to hear they're renovating it! Do you know anything more about the renovations?


Sorry Tom, that's as far as I know. There's no boards or any other information about that building.

what a beaut indeed. I will try to get a hold on neil... He is a busy man, and I doubt whether he will be able to share more information. I had a meeting with him only a few weeks ago - and there are a lot of things that he does not know about - or that he is not allowed to share... (don't know why.)

Got these 2 projects from paragon's website, Glyn do you perhaps have details. Is this destined for Jozi or any other city in SA?

http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/tower%20render%201.jpg

http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/Armidillo%201.jpg

http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/Armidillo%202.jpg

http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/Armidillo%203.jpg

=OOO I hope so! That second building is crazy! I love it!

... Futuristic

Try to recall KomSakkie, the reason I'm asking these is that all other projects on their website are in Jozi and I thought that may be Jozi's gonna get something sleek.

Got these 2 projects from paragon's website, Glyn do you perhaps have details. Is this destined for Jozi or any other city in SA?

http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/tower%20render%201.jpg

http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/Armidillo%201.jpg

http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/Armidillo%202.jpg

http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/Armidillo%203.jpg

Wow these are amazing! I'm secretely hoping they'll end up being the new (and completely fictional) Joburg Museum of Modern Art. One could call it.. erm... JoMoMA.

R60-Million Renewal Project For Jewel City
27 Feb 2008 - eProp - ApexHi

ApexHi recently purchased three additional properties for R11-million in the area surrounding the 30 000m2 Jewel City, and plans are underway to enlarge the precinct and provide more space to the industry.

ApexHi’s asset manager, Grant Elliott, says although the redevelopment is subject to pre-letting 70% of the space, there is a waiting list of tenants who have indicated they would benefit from being accommodated in the complex.

“Apart from housing South Africa’s only diamond exchange centre and the statutory bodies, Jewel City already accommodates both Gauteng’s diamond grading companies, 66% of the province’s diamond cutters, 54% of the polished diamond dealers, 48% of the rough diamond dealers, and both specialised diamond courier companies,” he says.

The renewal project will expand Jewel City by approximately 5 000m2, and provide an additional 220 parking bays, as well as new retail space to allow tourists to shop for conflict-free diamonds within this secure precinct.

Elliott says ApexHi is committed to the City of Johannesburg’s efforts to rejuvenate the Urban Development Zone (UDZ) within the city and is supportive of the view that the diamond industry should operate from this area. “ApexHi has contributed R2-million towards the JDA for its project, and has invested R14-million in upgrading Jewel City in the last four years,” he says.

JDA CEO Lael Bethlehem says the City of Johannesburg has been intent on the potential for Jewel City to contribute towards broader regeneration efforts underway in Johannesburg. “The potential to expand this in line with national expectations for beneficiation in South Africa are significant, and the city has already committed R4-million capital investment in this financial year towards the regeneration of the Jewel City area based on this potential,” she says.

In addition, ApexHi has further demonstrated its commitment to the diamond industry by providing free space within Jewel City to the Velhani Hive – a “business incubator” scheme for previously disadvantaged people who graduate from training school. These people are given space, equipment and administrative structures to develop their own businesses.

Notice the news regarding the new hotel in Hyde Park - the 4 star Southern Sun Hyde Park hotel. It seems like it's going to be a part of the existing centre - perhaps they're redoing that hideous 60s-style office block?

We should see if we can get hold of some renders and create a thread.

Madison Development increases current portfolio to R3 billion
27 Feb 2008 - eProp - Madison

Reeling off a list of figures, Flax revealed that Madison now has:

• just over 30 projects under construction;
• these have a combined value in excess of R3 billion; and
• R1,6 billion construction work will be completed this year.

Flax added that:

• Madison work is generating employment for over 50 independent professional firms; and
• will earn R40 million in development management fees to Madison this year.

The average fee, said Flax, is around 2,5% of the total construction cost and this represents “exceptionally good value” for the various managed funds for which Madison is working. I has also enabled Madison to sign arrangements with external clients such as the New York based Lehman Real Estate which is partnering Madison in their expansion into Africa.

The latest breakdown, said Flax, shows that 49% of the company’s projects are in retail, 32% in office and 19% in industrial, hotel and mixed-use projects. Not surprisingly, perhaps, all the current projects are in Gauteng and the Western Cape, but Flax revealed that in the not-too-distant future he would be announcing new projects in Namibia, Angola and certain other South African provinces.

As was planned from the start, Madison provides development services to its listed property funds under management: Hyprop Investments Limited, ApexHi Properties Limited and Redefine Income Fund.

Heading the Hyprop list right now, said Flax, is the new R 200 million Southern Sun 4 star Hyde Park Hotel in the Hyde Park Shopping Centre and a 20,000m2 expansion to Canal Walk.

Apex-Hi, said Flax, is sticking to its retail base, with the result that Madison is now, on its behalf, handling major refurbishments, and in some cases extensions, on The Village in Horizon retail centre (West Rand), the Maynard Mall retail centre (Wynberg, Cape Town), Kempton Square (Kempton Park), Golden Walk (Germiston), Moreleta Plaza (Pretoria) and Ermelo Mall (Ermelo).

Redefine’s current projects include phase two of the CTX Business Park and Golf Air Park, both near Cape Town International Airport, phase two of Upper East Side mixed use development in Woodstock, a mixed-use scheme in Annandale, the third and last phase of the A-grade Knowledge Park office complex at Century City and the new R350 million Kempton Park shopping centre in Gauteng.

The leadership roles on Madison developments, said Flax, are now split amongst six senior development managers, the latest recruit being Rob Horsfield who, like many South African development managers, has returned to South Africa from Saudi Arabia, where he acquired in-depth experience on mega-retail and mixed-use centres. The Madison senior development team, said Flax, is now particularly well rounded and well skilled as it employs two architects, an engineer, a lawyer, a quantity surveyor and a chartered accountant.

Flax said that he was particularly pleased with the relationships that had been established with leading property developers in joint venture deals. Among those he named were Giancarlo Lanfranchi (of Swish Properties), Mark Ruffley (Ruffley and Assoc.) and Joe Davidowitz (of Polydev).

So where is the Madison development team now heading?

Flax said that the office and industrial market still has “good legs” and he sees rental growth in these sectors remaining strong for at least four years.

“The fact that Redefine’s newly completed Convention Tower on the Foreshore in Cape Town will be give an 11,5% return in its first year despite building cost rises of almost 1,5% per month throughout the construction period is a fair indicator of the strength of the current commercial market,” said Flax.

At the same time, however, he predicted that cutbacks in residential and other developments by the less well-resourced smaller developers could now put downward pressure on building costs and provide welcome relief from the ongoing building cost price rises. On the other side of the coin, he said, the increased cost of capital employed by the listed property companies (caused by the recent drop in their share values) will make it essential to continue to watch costs carefully if projects are to remain viable.

Wrapping up his talk, Flax said that with a record volume of work currently on the go and in the pipeline, Madison will be able to provide ongoing construction opportunities into 2010 – and beyond.

whats going on with the gautain high-rises = zonke'zizwe?? sounds as if it would be a highrise building

I think most of you who haven't seen the inside of many of the recent conventions in the CBD will be interested in this video. My apologies for it being in French but the commentary is not why I posted it.

You get to see the interior of some Brammies apartments and a glimpse of what they are doing in Ponty. If you understand French please elaborate for us (there is some comment from Niel Frasier) and again my apologies for those who don't understand.

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/johannesburg/video/x4ig7h_grand-monopoly-dans-le-centre-ville_news

Could any of you explain how to post videos directly, not links to the videos, please? I think more of you guys will watch it if you could see it!

that's a kewl video! thanks for posting it KomSakkie. Those apartments in the Stratosphere look really nice... lots of natural light. The residential revolution is certainly taking root. The retail revolution needs to gather more momentum now.

And i don't think one can post videos directly into the forums unfortunately.

Nice video indeed, thanks Komsakkie.

Awesome to see!

I spoke to Mr Henning from Paragon Architects and he told me that the following building will be buit next to Standard Bank in Sandton. They gonna on it in may.

http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/tower%20render%201.jpg

GOOD NEWS

This BUILDING is destined for Johannesburg

Mr Henning from Paragon Architects said the development should start next year. He said it will be outside Sandton and Johannesburg CBD.


http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/Armidillo%201.jpg

http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/Armidillo%202.jpg

http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/Armidillo%203.jpg

By the way this building will be for call center.

http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/Armidillo%201.jpg

I spoke to Mr Henning from Paragon Architects and he told me that the following building will be buit next to Standard Bank in Sandton. They gonna on it in may.

http://www.paragon.co.za/img/prtflio/2Towers_Armidillo/images_lg/tower%20render%201.jpg

Pule, Pule, Pule, you are The One!!!

Does anyone know where Standard Bank in Sandton is, though? It must be a division of the bank because HQs are in Joburg CBD. And also - I wonder if who it is going to house?

Rate we create a thread so we can keep track of it. We just a name for the building... ;)

Pule, Pule, Pule, you are The One!!!

Does anyone know where Standard Bank in Sandton is, though? It must be a division of the bank because HQs are in Joburg CBD. And also - I wonder if who it is going to house?

Rate we create a thread so we can keep track of it. We just a name for the building... ;)

Thanks Tom, I know where that Standank is but I don't know the street names. It is not the HQ as the HQ are based in Joburg CBD. Check your pm please.

You guys are awsome! this is going to be amazing! But where will they be situated?

Can you guys please contact paragon for more info. Ask for Mr Henning, he's a good guy. But this need a guy who's able to convince ;) -

(T)+27 [11] 482 2021
(F)+27 [11] 482 3784
henningr@paragon.co.za

Physical address
1st Floor ‘The Atrium’
41 Stanley Avenue
Milpark
2092

Postal address
PO Box 2621
Houghton
2041

If you do contact him its probably best not to call him Mr Henning, thats his first name, his surname is Rasmuss.

great news indeed. I hope they built that call-centre building in downtown Joburg.
It would really help in the rejuvenation of the city.

agree with you there^^^ Hope these are destine for joburg cbd..

Sorry Kuls and Luf, Paragon says its not gonna be in the CBD. I guess it will be something like that FNB's new Fairlands Building.

ah ok Pule, its a pitty, those would look awsome in the cbd and would of really added to the rejuv of the area. Looking forward to these!

thats it aint going to be in the cbd

The sad thing is that the iconic building will probably be built in some closed-off office park that is impossible for a visitor to access. Of course I don't know for sure if that will be the case, but if it is, it'll be such a pity and would reveal such short-sightedness on behalf of the city who I think should entice developers to build such iconic buildings in locations that can maximise tourism potential.

JDA moves in on Bertrams
Written by Lucille Davie
Monday, 03 March 2008


http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/feb/bertramsupgrade000.jpg
The Johannesburg Development Agency has bought the 24 properties on the "priority block" it identified in Bertrams. It believes that developing and upgrading this block will be a catalyst for improvement in the rest of the suburb.


http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/feb/bertramsupgrade001.jpg
A modern block in Gordon Road, now empty ONE block is all it is going to take - the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) hopes that buying and revamping one block in Bertrams will be the necessary catalyst for the development of the whole suburb.

So says Lael Bethlehem, the agency's chief executive, pointing out that this has been done in Braamfontein, Newtown and the fashion district. Once a section of a suburb is refurbished, owners of other properties usually take the cue and renovate their buildings too.

Bethlehem says that hundreds of squatters had made the Bus Factory and Turbine Hall in Newtown their homes - now these two buildings have been transformed into creative office space, and Newtown is undergoing major development.

"We want to catalyse development in Bertrams."

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/feb/bertramsupgrade002.jpg
The two-storey Luxor block, in art eeco style The JDA has bought a city block in Bertrams, bordered by Liddle Street and Bertrams, Berea and Gordon roads. It is a mix of two-storey blocks of flats, some of them in the art deco style of the 1930s and '40s, single storey houses dating back to the 1920s, a modern face-brick structure and three vacant plots. This means that some eight properties have heritage value, and the JDA will be applying for demolition permits. Seven properties were expropriated.

Mature plane trees along Berea Road and mature oaks along Gordon Road are evidence of the suburb's age - it was laid out in 1889, a portion of the farm Doornfontein. However, the area has fallen into serious decay over the past 20 years, Bethlehem says.

It is an important suburb from a housing point of view because it is sufficiently close to the CBD to walk to work.

It is across the road from the Ellis Park sports complex, to be used in the 2010 Fifa World Cup™. The JDA is overseeing the revamp of the precinct, as well as the immediate area. This includes the laying of the Bus Rapid Transit system along Saratoga Avenue; in some sections this is already complete, with islands planted with trees and shrubs.

A priority block
The JDA has labelled the area of development in Bertrams the "priority block". It undertook a survey of the suburb, and decided that this block was the most suitable for development.

Some of the buildings will be demolished, while others will be incorporated into the new development. Permission to demolish will be sought from the South African Heritage Resources Agency.

Bethlehem admits that there is "enormous heritage value" in Bertrams. "The main threat to heritage is a lack of development, but it must be the right kind of development."

The goal is to create decent rent and bonded accommodation in the area, she says. Development will be undertaken by the JDA and the Johannesburg Housing Company.

Rights of people
The main obstacle to development is the rights of the people living there. There are some 82 families living on the block, in very poor conditions. Bethlehem is sensitive to their rights, and ongoing meetings have been held with them. They will have to be moved to alternative accommodation and have been offered places in the BJ Alexander building in Smit Street, Hillbrow, about a kilometre away.

"We are mindful of the rights of these people," Bethlehem explains.

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/feb/bertramsupgrade003.jpg
A 1920s house with charming veranda The JDA will pay for the costs of moving, the deposit, which is double the rent of R540, and the costs of the lease agreement fee. "We are doing this in the most socially responsible and respectable way."

In Hillbrow they will be given a room and will share a communal bathroom and kitchen. The JDA is busy renovating the BJ Alexander building, formally a nurses' home, which belongs to the provincial government.

So far more than half the people from the priority block have agreed to voluntarily relocate. Consultations with the rest of the residents are continuing; eventually a court order will be obtained to remove those unwilling to move.

Several of the buildings in Bertrams have already been cleared and security has been put in place to ensure squatters don't move in again. Construction is due to start in about 18 months. Bethlehem has made it clear that the project will not necessarily be ready in time for the World Cup, explaining that it is a long-term initiative.

The JDA has spent some R26-million on buying the 24 properties on the block.

GOOD! Bertrams really is the worst area of Joburg! And really all that I think is needed are touch-ups here and there. Even Hillbrow looks better dear old Bertrams.

GOOD! Bertrams really is the worst area of Joburg! And really all that I think is needed are touch-ups here and there. Even Hillbrow looks better dear old Bertrams.

The worst thing is that its located next to Eliis Park precinct. I hope that JDA would have renovated a couple of them before 2010 and attact investors to invest there so as to accelerate renewal of that place.

On the other note I wouldn't say that its too bad, only a small portion of it looks terrible but as you pass a couple of blocks then it it changes into a totally different place.

By Ella Smook

South Africa is experiencing a wave of north-south migration last seen in the mid-1990s, property industry experts say.

Estate agents say their phones are ringing off the hook as Gautengers leave in droves to relocate to the Cape, citing rampant crime and more severe load-shedding there.

Recently, "a clear crisis of confidence" has caused an "upsurge in interest to relocate to the Cape", says Ian Slot of Seeff.

Rael Levitt, CEO of Alliance Group, agrees that there seems to be "a lot of negativity" in the Gauteng area.

Various offices in the group have found that "a lot of people in Johannesburg (are) selling" their properties, he says.

Their primary destination seemed to be Cape Town and, after that, the Southern Cape, says Levitt.

Both Slot and Levitt say their companies have been inundated with relocation inquiries, and Slot added that these queries were not limited to a particular population or income group.

While Johannesburg power distribution company, City Power, last week announced a new load-shedding plan which could see consumers there facing up to four hours of blackouts at a time, Cape Town on Monday indicated that electricity usage was under control and that power cuts were unlikely in the Western Cape this month.

In fact, should the province continue on its current savings path, it could make a case for being "ring-fenced" out of Eskom's load-shedding schedule entirely.

Slot told the Cape Argus last week that clients had also expressed concern about a run of high-profile "horrific deaths" in Johannesburg, which made them lose confidence in "the ability of the state to deal with crime".

The latest police executive summary of crime statistics confirms that car-jackings and house robberies "most frequently occur in the more affluent suburbs of Gauteng" and that this increased "the chances of somebody well-known being targeted and even killed".

However, because these "5 percent of South Africa's contact crime" were selectively reported, the perception was created that these areas were more dangerous.

But Slot adds that "perception is reality" and statistics meant little to those who lived "behind locked doors" because they considered themselves not to be safe.

"In Cape Town there is not that same perception, people don't live the same way," he says.

Levitt says the mid-90s saw a similar wave of relocations or "semigrations" as they are now called in property circles to Cape Town, which later slowed down and reversed, with people packing up to move back to Gauteng.

"But the trend seems definitely to be reversed again," Levitt says.

Homecoming Revolution, a non-profit organisation which encourages and assists South Africans abroad on their return, said returnees who were not Capetonians were also increasingly choosing the city as their new base in South Africa.

"It is now a lifestyle choice and they opt for Cape Town instead of Johannesburg," said spokesperson Megan Woods.

Employment agencies partnering the Homecoming Revolution had also reported "a lot more interest" in and "significant growth" of the job sector in Cape Town, Woods said.

While many relocators set up their families in the Cape and commuted to Johannesburg for business, many businesses were also opening shop in Cape Town.

Cape Town property guru Theodore Yach said office space vacancies in the CBD currently at 4 percent were at "record lows".

Yach said the reasons for Cape Town being a popular choice to live and work in were self-evident, as the Cape Town Metropole was "generally better managed than elsewhere in South Africa" and offered a "better lifestyle" along with "world-class business infrastructure in all the major office nodes".

Echoing the sentiments of Cape Town Partnership CEO Andrew Boraine, Yach said he would like to believe that the influx into Cape Town was as a result of "pull" and not "push" factors.

This article was originally published on page 6 of Cape Argus on March 04, 2008

Extending the hand of kindness


March 4, 2007

By Emily Visser

LEAP year may come only once every four years, but from now on inner city residents can expect to see their environment nipped and tucked on a more regular basis. Workers were hard at work throughout 29 February in the biggest clean-up operation ever to be undertaken by the City of Johannesburg.

Over a non-stop 24-hour period, municipal-owned entities, urban inspectors and five specially appointed contractors cleared builders' and green rubble, issued by-law enforcement warnings and provided infrastructure support where needed.

And Region F's director, Nkosinathi Mtetwa, says residents should prepare themselves for more efforts like this. "This is not a once-off thing. It is going beyond 2010."


Restore self-respect
More than simply a big sweep, the emphasis of the operation is on restoring human dignity, especially in areas where daily health risks and environmental degradation are the only certainties.
Speaking before setting off, the stakeholder manager for Region F, Shaun O'Shea, says that throughout the clean-up, and those to follow in future, those enforcing the law should not lose sight of the fact that people are struggling and often do not have a choice when they contravene many of the by-laws.

The informal taxi rank next to the formal one in Bree Street is one such hotspot, where by-law contravention is the order of the day. Illegal trading and unhygienic handling and cooking of food are common and concern City officials greatly.


Health hazard
The only movement in the hot February air is the occasional stir from the fly squadron, lifting with precision from the carcasses when people approach too closely. But they soon settle back on to the meat. At another "stall" a man in tacky overalls and with bloody hands is slicing a big cow's liver into fat strips. From time to time he swipes leisurely at the thick black cloud of flies with his long butcher's knife.
The fire spits with delight as each piece of liver is dropped on to the grid for a quick burn. Despite the serious health hazards, people greedily wait for this delicacy - they are hungry and it is very affordable.


O'Shea says it would be of little consequence to take away people's equipment and stock; tomorrow they will be back. So the City is employing the only strategy that makes a change in the long run.

"It is not about being inhumane to people, taking away their [only] income." Instead, officials will focus on educating people, teaching them that it is better for the good of all to operate within the parameters of the law.

In the meantime, the City will not stop the clean-up. It is just one activity in a multi-faceted, long-term programme. "It is about gradually educating people to respect other people's rights too," Mtetwa explains.


Good news stories
It is not all doom and gloom; there is also a host of good news stories taking place in the inner city.
Region F recently appointed more than 30 urban inspectors in six inner city quadrants to strengthen law enforcement. These men and women can be seen daily, trawling the streets in their orange shirts, on the lookout for by-law infringements, nuisance issues and service breakdowns.

Other City work is also clearly visible: seven buildings are being revamped in the inner city to provide temporary accommodation for transients. One, the Old Perm building in Kotze Street, Hillbrow, is all but ready and will provide 200 beds. Not far away is the charming little Chelsea Hotel, also being upgraded. It will provide 150 beds.

Driving around Yeoville, Hillbrow and Berea, it is clear that the City has started to upgrade the five public parks in these areas. In Rockey, Kotze and Pretoria streets the old paving is being lifted to make way for the new high street design.

And private sector investment is keeping pace. A large banking concern recently agreed to invest even more in the inner city, especially in the areas bordering the banking district; in March a brand-new four star hotel will open in Main Street.


School
Moving down to the bottom end of down-town Johannesburg, investment seems less prominent. Yet, surrounded by huge warehouses, dilapidated structures and rough factory walls, there is a quaint little primary school in Mooi Street. It opened its doors for the first time this year.
Afhco Holdings, a social housing institution, revamped the buildings in record time and will continue to help by funding any operational shortfalls over the next three years. The school is appropriately called CityKidz Pre- and Primary School and it can accommodate about 220 children.

It is these and many other activities that give a sense of vibrancy and the realisation that there is much hope for the inner city. But, Mtetwa cautions, it is critical that all users and residents take ownership.

"If the inner city fails, the whole city will fail."

Anyone have a bike they can lend me??

Critical Mass is back!

If you didn't catch our article about the city's premier fun urban cyclethon, then here's a bit of background info: In cities around the world people have been wheeling together under the banner of Critical Mass to reclaim the streets of their home towns. If street cycling or wheeling appeals to you, with a range of people (not just fitness fanatics and Lance Armstrong's), then get your bikes, rollerblades, skateboards and unicycles out of the garage and start cleaning them up. Anyone can attend. Critical Mass is going to hit the Johannesburg CBD in early March and show the streets what they were really made for.

Traditionally the Critical Mass movement is about an unofficial, unsanctioned rally on all forms of self-propelled wheeled transport that brings into focus things like safety, car-free social time on city streets and re-using the inner city's facilities for social interaction.

The next Mass is on 7 March at 7:30pm. It's also a chance to see your city in a new light, and Jozi-by-night for those who don't venture into town, is nothing short of spectacular. The movement will meet at the corner of Carr and Quinn Street Newtown just before 7:30pm. It's also a great chance to meet new people, mingle and sight see on bike!