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Joburg Set To Get The Recognition It Deserves In 2015

The City of Gold is making its mark in 2015…

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South Africa is fortunate enough to have some of the most interesting, diverse and beautiful cities and locales in the world, but the more unassuming places often don’t get the praise they’re definitely worthy of.

Johannesburg is an example of this, often falling into the shadow of Cape Town’s international recognition, awards and accolades for its natural beauty, but Joburg is starting to turn heads for a variety of different reasons.

In a new column on the Daily Maverick, Simon Allison writes that Johannesburg is drawing the attention of international travel publications thanks to its layered qualities and cultural density.

“Take this from the Rough Guide, which crowned Joburg as its top city to visit in 2015: ‘Joburg has a reputation problem. But South Africa’s biggest city is finally beginning to break free from the chains of its troubled past, and parts – like the arty Maboneng quarter – have rooted themselves as exciting cultural hubs. New clusters of forward-thinking museums, galleries and shops are set to emerge in 2015, though better-known attractions like Constitution Hill and the poignant Apartheid Museum should still be on the to-do list of any first-time visitor.'”

Allison also adds that the BBC has given Joburg some love, placing it on its shortlist for 2015’s hottest cities. BBC’s article states: “South Africa’s largest metropolis [has reinvented] itself out of its apartheid and crime-riddled past. While residents and visitors once eschewed downtown for safer gated suburbs, a dropping inner city crime rate has meant that locals are venturing out again – and bringing with them a spate of new boutiques, museums and galleries.”

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The Times of London, meanwhile, described the city as “the latest hip city break” in a feature length paean that waxed lyrical about its cool bars, boutique hotels, trendy shops and foodie markets. Maboneng gets a mention, as does 44 Stanley, Braamfontein and a bicycle tour of Soweto. “Jozi and Soweto have an undeniable, and often tiring, energy. There’s something thrilling about it all: yes, it still has an air of the perilous, but it also feels like a city on the verge, a city emerging from a sombre past into the vibrant, multicultural nucleus of South Africa.

“This is not the place for tourists looking for beautiful architecture and city walks; it’s for people prepared to uncover the diamonds in the rough — and when they do, they’ll find a city that is alive and kicking.”

Allison concluded that Joburg is finally being appreciated and merited for its strong attributes, rather than constantly being compared to its sibling cities.

“There is something reassuring about all this, something validating. Our Jozi love is more than just glossy spin; it’s not just propaganda to make ourselves feel better about living in a big, busy metropolis where everything’s expensive and everyone works hard and the robots are always broken. Others are feeling the love too.”

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4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Avatar

    Robobo

    February 2, 2015 at 12:02

    Great to see JHB getting some praise!

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      Jeremy Proome

      February 2, 2015 at 12:07

      It’s awesome to see. Neill Blomkamp had a great quote, saying: “Johannesburg represents the future. My version of what I think the world is going to become looks like Johannesburg”. Very interesting.

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        James

        February 2, 2015 at 16:24

        Completely, a lot of Architecture students at Wits have been drawing on the inspiration of Johannesburg and its Dystopian qualities. It’s gritty but intelligent at the same time.

        There are so many great designers and entrepreneurs in Joburg making a huge change. Adding to this is that it’s being featured in so many movies at the moment. Things can only get more exciting!

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    Stixx

    February 2, 2015 at 16:25

    Great stuff

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