General Information
Johannesburg is the most populous city in South Africa. The City of Johannesburg itself has a population of 5,538,596, while the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality has a population of 6,599,190, making it one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, and seat of the country's highest court, the Constitutional Court. Situated on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand hills, the city has long been at the epicentre of the international mineral and gold trade. The richest city in Africa by GDP and private wealth, Johannesburg functions as the economic capital of South Africa and is home to the continent's largest stock exchange, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
- Population: 5,900,000+ (Metro Area)
- Area: 1,645 km²
- Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
- Coordinates: Latitude: -26.204444885254, Longitude: 28.045555114746
- Timezone: Timezone info not available
- Current Local Time: ailab
Sandton
Business towers, upscale malls, Nelson Mandela Square, and city nightlife.
Johannesburg CBD
Downtown streets, Commissioner Street, Gandhi Square, and real urban life.
Soweto
Township streets, Maponya Mall, Protea North, and cultural walking tours.
Rosebank & Melrose Arch
Shopping areas, nightlife, and modern mixed-use districts.
Johannesburg Latest News
IOL
Proteas hit by another injury as Simelane called as replacement
South Africa fast bowler Lutho Sipamla has been ruled out of the ongoing T20I tri-series featuring Namibia and Zimbabwe after sustaining a left hamstring injury, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Sunday.
IOL
Six women killed every day: SA’s deadly war on women continues
The brutal Women's Month murder of Amanda Kosani comes as new police statistics show six women are killed every day across South Africa.
The Citizen
Metres from disaster? Flyover at Cape Town Stadium sparks safety debate
South Africa made international headlines on Saturday before the second Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry between the Springboks and the All Blacks, when there was a daring double jet flyover above Cape Town Stadium. Two Airlink Embraer 190 passenger jets, branded and featuring green-and-gold livery representing South Africa and an all-black livery representing New Zealand’s All Blacks, performed what many critics described as one of the lowest flyovers yet recorded – just 12m above the stadium’s roof. But not everyone enjoyed the stunt as much as the spectators in the stadium, with various international websites, publications and news channels reporting on the flyover, after videos of the moment went viral on social media. Many South Africans responded to the criticism from abroad. Flights approved and rehearsed Airlink on Sunday said it noted the concerns expressed on social media and online forums regarding Saturday’s formation flyby over Cape Town Stadium. “The flight demanded careful planning and rehearsal, as it required navigating at low altitude, at around 150 knots. The South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Navigation Services provided valuable guidance, approval and support to ensure a safe flyby,” said the airline. “The two aircraft were flown by highly experienced crews, with each comprised of three senior captains operating in the roles of commander, copilot and safety/technical officer. “The flight data recorded by both aircraft confirms that the flights were performed within the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s [Sacaa] approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast.” Sacaa was sent questions but had not replied by the time of going to publication. While aviation experts question the altitude, Airlink insists all rules were followed during a flyover by two of its jets over Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images The Civil Aviation regulations specify a minimum of 1 000 feet over built-up areas and a minimum of 3 000 feet (900m) over “open-air assemblies”. In a formal air show display, all aircraft and performances are controlled by an “air boss” on the ground who regulates all traffic and displays. There is normally a clearly marked “show line” or “display line” parallel to, but some distance away, from an audience and no aircraft is allowed to cross this line. International criticism of flyover While news channels such as Fox News and Sky Sports suggested that the flyover was dangerously low and made headlines for the wrong reasons, there was some grudging admiration. Australia’s Channel 7 said: “As sporting stunts go, what you’re about to see will be hard to top.” South Africans responded in true South African spirit by making fun of the situation and flooding comment sections defending Airlink and the country’s honour. “Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie [They don’t know what we know]”, “Our pilots learned to fly by driving Quantum taxis” and “No DNA, just RSA”, were just some comments by South Africans on social media. Ministers defend Airlink Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, who was at the stadium during the flyover, also backed Airlink. He said it was laughable to see aviation experts going on about the Airlink flyover. “You don’t see headlines about our pilots being drunk and disorderly like you do in other countries,” he said. “We are just fine here in South Africa.” Macpherson said he caught an incredible view of the Airlink flyover at Cape Town Stadium and added that South Africa had the best and most skilled pilots in the world. “Looking forward to seeing what they have in store for us next Saturday over FNB Stadium,” he said. “I really hope Airlink does a flyover with their entire fleet at FNB Stadium. That would be amazing and drive the internet even crazier,” he said. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie joined in, posting on X: “It’s a well-known fact that we have the best pilots in the world, that was spectacular. Next time, I will ask the pilots to land on the field. Prepare to be amazed further.”
The Citizen
Cowboy culture pushes boundaries
Archbishop Desmond Tutu described South Africa as the “Rainbow Nation” because of our society’s multiplicity of colours. But, are we in danger of getting a reputation around the world as the “Cowboy Nation”, where we get our kicks out of pushing boundaries – of physics, of the law, even of good taste? That’s a debate we need to have in the wake of the spectacular flyover of Cape Town Stadium on Saturday by two Embraer passenger jets of Airlink airline. Risky flyover? Spectators on the ground were stunned – as were millions on social media – by how close the planes came to the top of the structure just before the kick-off of the Springbok-All Black Test. There is some debate about how close they came, but consensus is that it was less than 15 metres. And, it goes without saying that, in two aircraft, each weighing upwards of 30 tons travelling at just under 300km/h, that leaves no margin for even the slightest error. Questions over safety While we accept Airlink’s assurances that the stunt was only carried out after careful planning and practice and with six of its most senior pilots on the planes, the height clearance far exceeded the legislated minimum of 1 000 feet laid down in civil aviation regulations. If special permission was granted for such a low flypast, especially seeing as the “show line” was right over almost 60 000 people in the stadium, the SA Civil Aviation Authority will have to explain itself. After the first time this manoeuvre stunned the world, at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in Johannesburg, when an SAA Boeing 747 jumbo jet roared over Ellis Park Stadium, we wonder if aviation companies might be pushing the envelope. South Africans think it’s clever to be rebellious; the rest of the world doesn’t – especially when lives are at risk.
The South African
Deon Fourie’s wife praises his humility after making history
Deon Fourie, South Africa’s oldest-playing Springbok, has been praised by his wife for the humility and tenacity he has shown throughout his rugby career. The 39-year-old was named in the starting line-up in the squad’s clash against the All Blacks at Ellis Park over the weekend. South Africa beat their Greatest Rivalry opponents 33-26. DEON FOURIE PRAISED BY WIFE In a touching tribute posted on her Instagram account, Deon Fourie’s wife, Jean-Marie, praised her husband, who has made history as the Springboks’ oldest player. She shared about her spouse: “You’ve never been one for records or attention. You always shy away from the limelight. Yet you keep on setting new heights, raising standards and silencing critics. Quietly claiming your place in the history books. She continued: “You can be so proud. We are so proud! You are and always will be our biggest hero”. On Saturday, 29 August, Deon Fourie made history as the oldest man to represent the Springboks in a test match. SIYA KOLISI PRAISES OLDEST SPRINGBOK Deon Fourie will turn 40 years old in just a few weeks. In 2022, he became the oldest Springbok to make his debut at the age of 35. He was part of the squad that won the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023. The Pretoria-born player was hailed as a rugby hero for his instrumental performances, which helped the squad win back-to-back titles. In the final between the Boks and New Zealand’s All Blacks, Fourie substituted an injured Bongi Mbonambi and played for a grand total of 77 minutes! Ahead of his historical performance over the weekend, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said of Fourie: “Brannas – we call him Grandpa now! We’re very happy for him as a group. He’s shown that age is nothing but a number. “He’s got the hunger and the fight in him, and the guys believe in him.”
The South African
No comparison? US stadium flyover gets South Africans talking
A clip of a US aircraft performing a stadium flyover has elicited a strong reaction from South Africans. This comes a day after Airlink was criticised over its “dangerous” stunt performed at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town. South Africa’s first flyover took place at Ellis Park at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final between the Springboks and the All Blacks. US STADIUM FLYOVER HAS SOUTH AFRICANS TALKING In the wake of the Springboks 33-26 defeat of the All Blacks 33-26, all eyes have been on Airlink’s flyover of the DHL Stadium in Cape Town. While local publications have notably praised the stunt, international media houses have criticised the pilots’ actions. Some social media users have even accused South Africa of attempting to “copy” the US, despite South Africa’s long-running pre-match rugby tradition. Another social media user shared a clip of a stadium flyover in the US. @ZizinjaAbelungu tweeted: “Now I understand why America is so jealous of our jet flyover. What is this?” In the comments section, others agreed… @TshegoKgoedi_: “You need binoculars to see it.” @King_Konde: “That’s not a flyover, that’s a plane just flying by.😂” @suurman012: “Is that a kite?” Now I understand why America is so jealous of our jet flyover. What is this? Ayikho lento! 😭 pic.twitter.com/sQj0EDaLpO— Msunu ka Johann Rupert (@ZizinjaAbelungu) August 30, 2026 SAFETY FIRST Meanwhile, Airlink has set the record straight on the backlash to the DHL Stadium flyover, revealing that the stunt had come with “careful planning and rehearsal” and “experienced pilots”. The official account of Globa Statistics Wire also shared: “The South African Civil Aviation Authority reports 40 years of zero commercial airline fatal accidents. With an ICAO safety compliance score of 95.12%, SA ranks 1st in Africa and 8th globally, ahead of the USA, proving its airline infrastructure rivals the world’s most advanced networks”.
TechCentral
Nvidia’s best customers are becoming its biggest threat
Buying open-source AI hub Hugging Face is less about revenue than about defending Nvidia’s chip empire from within.
TechCentral
Nasa launches telescope that will map two billion galaxies
One month of Roman telescope observations would take Hubble about a century, its project scientist says.