Representah! Cosmopolitan Braamfontein.
Meet another gem in our crew of exciting Represent citizen journalists – Reuben Malema, who adores his buzzing and bustling suburb of Braamfontein and certainly loves to wax oh so lyrically. Read all about what’s happening in Braamies now and see some photos here: 4pm and a deafening roar of rush hour vehicles innumerably bustle through Braamfontein’s central motorway – Jorissen Street. How this well-preserved portion of a metropolitan – long engulfed by the stench of midden-ridden urban decay – has managed to emerge the city jewel that it is today has left an aura of perplexed expressions on the faces of many a benevolent resident – who’ve all lived through it’s at times beleaguering multifaceted socioeconomic dynamics. Maybe the vexed reactions are merely unfounded hyperboles, in that Braamfontein has long been viewed as the cornerstone of premier African intelligentsia and Superior Master Brewer`s capabilities, because as far as memory can serve many a historian, it has always played host to The University of the Witwatersrand (chief among African Universities – in my opinion!) and The Corporate Head Quarters of SAB (Before the former performed a spectacular coup de `ta on Miller Breweries of the USA and subsequently relocating its African Quarters to Sandton – in order to keep up with the Jones I guess!!). Modern day Braamfontein is categorized by a true lifestyle of laissez faire: the clean streets are indefinitely littered with students and bored security guards strolling around, but a surprisingly unbefitting and very alarming factor is the stone-cold lack of a decent place to dine at (not unless you regard take-away outlets as such place of cause). This anomaly is upsetting what is otherwise a well balanced neighborhood; perfectly conducive to a relaxed student and yuppie lifestyle and an ideal place to set-up shop for aspiring young entrepreneurs. Personally, I`m extremely bewildered by the so-called youth focused industry trend setters, vis-a-vis: YFM and Metro FM – Why are they so hypocritical and so distastefully target market focused, I mean why on earth is YFM based in Rosebank and Metro at the SABC when a considerable amount of their academic listenership and merchandise purchasers (which to me is their true target audience/ perpetual spending pockets) is domiciled or at least centered around Braamfontein? Go figure! Research has revealed that YFM was at one time pitted in Yeoville (Again, when the Jones move up, you better well make sure you move up too: Wa lala wa sala Mpya!!!). Interviews conducted around the precinct have revealed scathing details about the grassroots fundamentals of the ostensibly uncompromising -xenophobic pockets which prowl the streets of this “cosmopolitan” segment of the great metropolitan (Jozi). Emotions...
Representah! A Day in the Life… Jozi 2010
We’re really excited about our new crew of citizen journalists writing for Represent and giving us even more juicy content for you darling readers – here’s our debut submission from a very loyal Representah Linda Soga who took time out to attend the Inner City Summit last weekend – for anyone that’s interested in the plans for the city from now to the big bang in 2010, read all about it! Some very exciting moves – by the way, anyone know what’s happening with ConHill – seems to be moving a little slower than planned? i.e. Where is that Hyatt hotel? Sharpile Linda – uyarocka. A Day in the Life… Jozi 2010 I roll out of bed…growling at my alarm clock as I rub the sleep out of my eyes… I look at the time; “Yikes! Late again”. I take a quick shower, dress, grab my bag and set off at a trot down to the bus stop at the corner, pausing only to say hello to the doorman at the front of my apartment building. I’m just in time to catch the bus; one minute later and I would have had to walk the five blocks to the train station (in these heels, girlfriend? I don’t think so!) I get on the bus, sit down and start to breathe normally. In fifteen minutes, I’m at the office, and as the day goes by, I start planning what to do later on… it’s Friday. A few phone calls tell me that it’s all happening in Newtown tonight… Oh yes, I live in downtown Jozi, and the year is 2010, although you’d be forgiven for associating the scene I’ve just described with Manhattan, London or some other metropolis. Or picture this… I haven’t driven my car in over two weeks. Oh, there’s nothing wrong with it; I just have not needed to. I live downtown, a walking distance to work. There’s a shopping arcade across the road from me, for those quick after-work purchases. And for entertainment, I’m spoilt for choice – there’s the gallery around the corner, the movie house two blocks away and Joburg City Hall, always good for live music. This is the Joburg of the (not too distant) future. This urban landscape was painted by the City of Johannesburg at the Inner City Summit which I attended last weekend – of a city in which one will be able to live, work, and play. The Summit was held at the Braamfontein Recreation Centre, next door to the recently refurbished Parktonian Hotel. There was a large turnout, of people from all walks of life – property developers, business people, investors, and...
Represent Recommends: Sophiatown in Newtown
If you love Newtown like we do and want to know about what’s going down from entertainment to downtown rejuvenation, then visit the official Newtown website – subscribe to the newsletter which updates you on all the news. Click here to zoom there. Always loving Newtown! Check out the list of Newtown restaurants here. Visit the Sophiatown restaurant on the ground floor of the KAYA FM building on Mary Fitzgerald Square. Service is still getting there and the menu was still en route when we went but the decor is stunning and the vibe on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon is great. Chilling out in the city having a glass of great wine and watching people go by! Thanks to Lungi and Shereen for the intro and one of the best afternoons in Newtown. From the Newtown site: “Located at No. 1 central Place, Sophiatown is set to be another huge attraction in the Newtown Cultural Precinct. The atmosphere at Sophiatown is laid back and stylish, with Jazz and African marimba beats playing while people come together to enjoy a meal with great company or just have a few drinks in the cigar lounge. Sophiatown can seat up to 180 people and is available as a venue for functions.Sophiatown is open during the week from 10am-11.30pm, and on weekends until late. Contact (011) 836-5999 “PIC and words above: http://www.newtown.co.za/ PIC and words...
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