News
Who was the World Cup really for?
 Adopted from Dale T McKinley’s on myths and realities surrounding the world cup and Let them eat cake - the ugly backdrop to the beautiful game by Sheri Hamilton, Weizmann Hamilton and Liv Shange … and other sources. Much gratitude to the kagablog; visit http://kaganof.com/kagablog
Myths always need to be separated from realities. In the case of the ‘greatest show on earth’, leaving aside the very real beauty and enjoyment of the game of soccer, the myth-making has created a situation akin to inhaling tik – a short-lived high/euphoria that obscures all reality, followed by a rapid, depressing ‘come down’ back to that reality.
The starting point for the mythology that has been built up around the World Cup is the misplaced assumption that mega-events (in this case a sporting one) are vehicles for economic, social and political development that will benefit everyone. Most of the things that our government and FIFA have been telling/selling us about the benefits of the World Cup, since the time when South Africa first bid for hosting rights, are grounded within that assumption.
Photo: Did the man in the street benefit from the World Cup or not? Read on and make up your own mind …
Xenophobia is alive and well
 The results of a survey measuring the quality of life in the Gauteng City-Region among 6,639 Gauteng residents were recently released by the Gauteng City Region Observatory, of which Wits is a key partner.
The survey, which measured a variety of social, economic and developmental indicators, found that a shocking 69% of Gauteng city-region residents held xenophobic attitudes.
Photo: Unfortunately there are many indications that a fresh wave of xenophobic violence might envelope South Africa once again
Chalumbira takes a risk
 This story was derived from FT Magazine
Urban pioneer Isaac Chalumbira, chief executive of Lionshare Holdings, has negotiated a favourable deal to buy an entire city block.
City officials were eager to inspire private investors to help turn the Doornfontein neighbourhood into a vibrant living and working community for the 15 000 students that attend the area’s two colleges.
Photo: Isaac Chalumbira is one of the most exciting figures in Joburg development at present
End Street Park looking good
 End Street Park is a newly-completed JDA project. The site is abutted by End Street to the east, Noord Street to the north, Nugget Street to the west and Bree Street to the South.
The site boasts the following features: two artificial turf soccer fields, two rubberized play areas, (one for pre-school kids and another for primary school kids and above), on-site ablution facilities, 24 hour surveillance, and on-site cleaning and maintenance.
Photo: Kids love to use the amenities at End Street Park
Affordable housing in the inner city
.jpg) Adapted from Romaana Naidoo’s article on www.joburg.org.za
Middle income earners can rent affordable apartments close to work in the inner city at the award-winning Cavendish Chambers.
The recently renovated 16-storey building in the inner city was awarded with Joburg's most prominent accolade, the Halala Awards, under the Living Joburg category, for its regeneration efforts.
Photo: Cavendish Chambers has been extensively renovated
Joburg owed R8.4 billion
This story was derived from The Star
Gauteng's municipalities are owed R24 billion in unpaid accounts, which would be enough money to build seven more Soccer City stadiums at a cost of R3.2bn each.
According to the Provincial Gazette, Joburg is owed the most, with R8.4bn in unpaid accounts. Last year, the municipality had to write off R2.8bn in debt, generated by 323 074 unpaid municipal accounts.
The council said it followed up on unpaid accounts by sending defaulters letters of demand, and meeting with the heads of department if the debtor was a government institution. Debtors would also be served with final notices before having their services cut.
Property owners obtain certainty
 This press release comes from the DA
In a landmark judgment handed down by the Constitutional Court last month, the constitutional legal standing of the Spatial Planning Policies of the City of Johannesburg and town planning policies of city councils across the country have been secured.
This will provide certainty to property owners who may be worried that neighbouring properties can be rezoned contrary to the local planning policy of the Council.
Photo: Not just any kind of building can be built anywhere anymore, and this is good news, says DA Councillor Christo Botes
Independent cinema at The Bioscope
 What once started as a small screening project in the depths of the Wits Television Department in 2007, grew into a thesis on the viability of setting up an independent cinema in Johannesburg.
The chance to screen alternative films at Arts on Main saw the birth of The Bioscope.
Photo: The Bioscope is all about promoting independent cinema
Deep Play at JAG
.jpg) Deep Play, a multi-media installation by Harun Farocki within the framework of Football meets Culture, is currently on exhibition at the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG).
Farocki has erected 12 screens which all show images from the final of the last World Cup. These images from different cameras are all shown simultaneously, along with digitally processed pictures which offer a mathematical analysis of the game. The net effect destroys the intended perfection of the broadcast - and makes the fetish that is football obvious.
Photo: The soccer exhibition Deep Play is at the Johannesburg Art Gallery this month. Click on the 'read more' button to see what else is on offer at this space in July
Vuvuzela players disappointed
.jpg) Members of the South Africa Vuvuzela Philharmonic Orchestra, widely considered to be among the best large-scale monotonic wind instrument ensembles in the world, have told reporters they were furious over the recent outbreaks of international soccer matches during their traditional outdoor concerts.
Photo: It appears that the tradition of blowing vuvuzelas stretches far back into our history
World Cup celebrations
World cup event celebration in the Inner City; feel it, it is here!
Click the 'read more' tag for more images
Part of Stanley Road closed
Please be advised that the Westbound lane of Stanley in Braamfontein Werf, between Menton and Annet roads will be completely closed for BRT construction. The closure will be effective from 7 June until end August 2010.
The Eastbound lane will remain open for Eastbound traffic (travelling towards Barry Hertzog and the M1). Motorists travelling Westward on Stanley (from Empire Road towards Stanley) will be required to turn left onto Owl Street, Barry Hertzog or Menton Road, turn right onto Annet Road and continue to Kingsway.
Motorists will be allowed to turn right onto Menton Road from Stanley and also cross the Menton Road /Stanley intersection from Menton Road. The barrier kerb from the median of Annet Road has been lifted to allow access into Engen, Tom Campher Volvo Motors and the Steers and Debonairs Fast Food outlets. (Refer to map below).
New borders!
On 22 June the Johannesburg Art Gallery in partnership with Culturesfrance, the Ministry of Culture of Mali and the French Institute of South Africa invite the public to the opening of Borders, an exhibition from the 8th Bamako Encounters, The African Photographic Biennale.
For more details, write to tinym.jag@gmail.com
Halala Awards - an overview
 This article by David Lewis of the JDA appeared in the Business Day
An unusual, possibly unique, evening was held in Johannesburg recently. These were the annual Halala Awards presented by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA).
These are presented to diverse individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to Johannesburg and its residents.
The event is unusual because it's focused on good news about Johannesburg. It's unique because of the diverse range of Johannesburg's citizenry represented there.
Photo: The Halala Awards were held in the spectacular Turbine Hall in Newtown
Halala Awards - the winners
 This was derived from Romaana Naidoo’s article on www.joburg.org.za
Living Joburg, with the sub-theme "Not houses but homes", recognises residential projects that provide innovative, progressive and inclusive housing for inner city residents' needs and that support community development.
This category was divided into two sub-categories, recognising individual investors and corporate investors. Two shortlisted finalists were chosen for the individual investors sub-category - Ekuphumuleni Village by Moonsilk and 9 Saratoga by Harmony Galz, which won the award.
There was also strong competition in the corporate investor sub-category with Afhco being shortlisted for two of its buildings, Greatmans and Cavendish Chambers. It won for the latter.
Photo: Halala award short-listed finalists received makarapas done out in unique Jozi style!
One-way on Fox Street
 The movement of vehicle traffic on Fox Street between Rissik Street to Eloff Street has changed.
It is now a one-way system entering Fox street from Rissik Street, direction east to west, up to Eloff Street.
Photo: Parts of Fox Street have also been converted to walkways
Park's momentum grows
Written by the Media Man
 There’s plenty of activity going on at the six-month-old eKhaya Park in Hillbrow, which appears to be a success story that is able to maintain itself beyond the initial rush of enthusiasm often associated with new developments in the City.
Over 30 five-a-side soccer teams have been drawn up by the eKhaya StreetSports Group, from children who live and attend school in the area. Two soccer tournaments have been held since the park was opened at the end of last year. Recently, BidvestWits has seconded a retired soccer pro to support the coaching.
Photo: eKhaya Park Caption: Tim Rees-Gibbs (young adult sports leader), Josie Adler (Co-ordinator, eKhaya Neighbourhood), Carol Morris (Manager), Patricia Msebele (Trainee), Onetime Lungani Dlamini (eKhaya Security guard)
Barbican restoration continues
 Derived from Anna Cox’s story in The Star
The Barbican, a 1931 architectural masterpiece, has been undergoing restoration by the Old Mutual Investment Group to the tune of 19 million rands since 2008.
The renovations are now almost complete, but unfortunately there are no prospective tenants, because of a parking shortage. The nearby parking area is being converted to retail and office space.
Photo: The Barbican in 1937
Programme for kids during the World Cup
 FairPlay is a creative response to the events planned during the 2010 Football World Cup engaging children, youth and adults from the inner city of Johannesburg and beyond.
A collective of creative arts organisations concerned with and dedicated to the promotion of the arts and cultural development in the inner city have come together to work on the project. This initiative forms part of the Club of Good Hope Project based in Germany and is in association with Assitej South Africa.
The collective includes the Boitumelo Project, Hillbrow Theatre Project, Kids Week, the Oasis Youth Centre and the Hillbrow Community Music Centre, all projects of the Lutheran Community Outreach Foundation, and Democracy Begins in Conversation, Creative Voices, Wits School of the Arts, Leselo Project and the Drill Hall.
Photo: The Lutheran Church in Hillbrow is the base for a number of cultural groups such as the Hillbrow Theatre Project
Bafana Bafana at Gandhi Square
.jpg) Derived from Shain Germaner and Vuyo Mkize’s article on 2010 Shoot
On 12 May, South Africans marked 30 days before the World Cup with a celebratory procession including the ‘People's Bus’, which meandered from Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown to Gandhi Square in the CBD en route to Maponya Mall in Soweto.
In Mary Fitzgerald Square, Minister of Arts and Culture Lulu Xingwana introduced the 'flash mobs' that travelled around the country to promote South African culture. The mob was made up of 120 students and several local celebrities.
Photo: The People’s Bus with celebrity singers and flash mob came to Gandhi Square one month before the World Cup.
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