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
Kaizer Chiefs receive defensive boost ahead of Siwelele clash
Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz says Paseka Mako, Bradley Cross, Kabelo Nkgwesa and Reeve Frosler have returned to training, but are not yet fully match-fit.
IOL
Manchester City, Chelsea fuel record-breaking Premier League transfer window
Manchester City launched a new era by setting a Premier League transfer window record, while Chelsea made Morgan Rogers the most expensive British player in history.
The Citizen
TikTok’s STEM surge highlights learning shift as SA battles declining maths and science scores
TikTok says more young people across Sub‑Saharan Africa are using the platform to learn and explore subjects that traditionally feel intimidating, with creators increasingly turning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into short, accessible and relatable content. The platform’s dedicated STEM Feed and the wider #LearnOnTikTok community are helping make educational videos easier to discover, reflecting a growing appetite for learning beyond the classroom. STEM crisis South Africa faces a growing crisis in STEM education despite record-high overall matric pass rates. A 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science study revealed that South African Grade 5 students scored an average of 362 points in mathematics. They lagged behind countries such as Morocco, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia. This marks a decline from the 374 points achieved in 2019. In science, the country fared even worse, scoring an average of 308 points also for Grade 5s, below nations like Morocco, Kuwait, and Jordan. This is a drop from the 324 points recorded in 2019. Video According to TikTok, creators across the region are using short‑form video to simplify complex topics and share practical knowledge. “Whether it’s a teacher breaking down a difficult subject or a professional explaining how to navigate the workplace, TikTok is becoming a space where knowledge can be shared in short, engaging and easy‑to‑understand formats,” the platform said. Research cited by TikTok shows strong interest in technology and science among users. In South Africa, 61% of TikTok users are interested in technology, while 35% express interest in science. In Nigeria, 72% of users are interested in technology and 31% in science, while in Kenya, 56% are interested in technology and 31% in science. Engagement The company said this interest is reflected in growing engagement with STEM content on the app. TikTok’s STEM Feed aims to make these subjects easier to access by surfacing videos that break down concepts visually and in a conversational tone. The platform says this helps students explore topics that can feel difficult or inaccessible in traditional classroom settings. Growing interest TikTok says creators are helping turn STEM into something audiences can understand and engage with. “Education is key for these creators, and TikTok provides an opportunity to move beyond simply delivering information to actively imparting knowledge,” the platform said. TikTok said the growing interest in online learning is part of a broader shift in how young people access information, with short‑form video offering a more visual and relatable way to explore complex subjects.
The Citizen
Actuary’s winning formula for SA’s best boerewors
Boerewors and actuarial science may seem about as closely related as a spreadsheet and a braai grid, but for Johannesburg investment actuary Dean De Sousa, getting either right depends on finding the right balance. After a few unsuccessful entries, the 33-year-old from Bryanston was crowned South Africa’s 2026 Championship Boerewors winner last month, beating nine other finalists in Shoprite Checker’s annual competition. “I tried to keep it simple,” De Sousa said. “In previous years I tried to include a few herbs and things, and that didn’t seem to work with the judges. This year I thought I’d go back to basics and rather focus on the balance of the flavours and the texture of the meat.” Because he’s an experienced competitor, it took him only two or three attempts this year to reach his winning recipe. He said understanding what had gone wrong proved useful when he returned this year after a hiatus since the pandemic. Less is more in a boerie De Sousa said that he built his recipe around the quality and cuts of meat, the correct fat content and restraint when it came to seasoning. “Certain cuts of meat are going to give you something that’s more juicy than others,” he said. “Then from a spice perspective, it’s really about not going too overbearing on one thing or the other. Things like nutmeg and cloves, if you get it wrong and use too much, you get a bitter or overpowering taste. The same with coriander. You want the flavours balanced so one specific flavour doesn’t overpower everything else.” Hard at work over the coals. Picture: Supplied And while meat is not exactly the way that De Sousa takes home the bacon, he grew up with protein all-round. His father Tony has worked in the meat industry for almost four decades and joined Shoprite in 1998. He later became one of South Africa’s first Master Butchers after obtaining the accreditation from Britain’s Institute of Meat in 2020 and today works in the retailer’s meat and spice operations. “I grew up around the butchery with my dad, so although it’s nothing to do with my day job, it has always been an interest of mine and a family interest,” De Sousa said. “We used to attend this competition when I was a kid. I’ve got the best teacher one could ask for in the country. There’s obviously a little bit of pressure because you want to make him proud, but it’s certainly an advantage.” South Africans will get to judge the result themselves from this month when De Sousa’s recipe becomes the official 2026 Championship Boerewors and goes on sale at Shoprite and Checkers stores nationwide. Don’t make the fire too hot But even the country’s champion recipe can be burnt to a crisp on the fire. De Sousa said the biggest mistake was putting boerewors over coals that were too hot, bursting the casing and losing the juices. “If you can hold your hand over the fire for about five to seven seconds before it becomes uncomfortable, that’s about right,” he said. “Give it about five minutes on the first side to get that nice golden crust, then flip it for another four. You don’t want to overcook it.” Also, once braaied, don’t kill the boerie by drowning it in sauces. “A little bit can enhance the flavour profile, but it should never dominate. You want to taste the boerewors first and foremost,” he said.
The South African
Mosimane wants to give this Bafana Bafana player a chance to play
Mosimane was officially unveiled as the new Bafana Bafana coach at SAFA House this week. He made it clear that players will get better chances. Mosimane pointed those that didn’t play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. PITSO MOSIMANE WANTS TO SEE KABINI The new coach specifically highlighted Kabini. He was with the South Africa squad but didn’t play. “Kabini has never been given a chance to play, so we have to see them also,” Mosimane said. “They were in the World Cup, they didn’t get a chance to play, but they are also part of the team.” The comments represent an opportunity for Kabini. He was part of the World Cup group but did not get the chance to showcase his abilities on the international stage. The Kagiso-born coach won’t discard fringe players. Mosimane wants his technical team to properly assess them before making decisions on their international futures. BAFANA BAFANA FACE IMMEDIATE TEST Mosimane’s approach could prove particularly important with South Africa facing upcoming 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea. There are several key players currently dealing with injuries. Mosimane may have little choice but to explore alternative options within his squad. Mosimane has indicated that he does not intend to completely overhaul the team. However an upcoming friendly could provide the perfect opportunity to introduce players. For Kabini, the message from one of South Africa’s most decorated coaches is clear: the door to Bafana Bafana is now open.
The South African
Cape Town to implement 10-hour power outage in over 30 areas
The City of Cape Town has announced a planned ten-hour power outage to allow for essential maintenance and upgrades to its electricity infrastructure. According to the metropolitan municipality, the scheduled outage will be carried out from 22:00 on Saturday, 19 September, until 08:00 the next day, 20 September, if all goes according to plan. Alternatively, the work will be carried out from 22:00 on Saturday, 26 September 2026, to 08:00 on Sunday, 27 September 2026. CAPE TOWN AREAS AFFECTED BY THE PLANNED POWER OUTAGE The planned electricity interruption forms part of the City’s ongoing infrastructure maintenance programme aimed at improving the reliability and resilience of the electricity network. The following areas will be affected due to the scheduled critical electricity upgrades: Muizenberg Clovelly Sun Valley Kalk Bay Fish Hoek Glencairn Glen Marine Glencairn Heights Glen Ridge Welcome Glen Woodlands Da Gama Park Dido Valley Bay View Village Bayview Heights Simon’s Town Simon’s Kloof Seaforth Red Hill Boulders Middle Beach Bellvue Winford Murdock Valley Smitswinkel Bay Cape Point Noordhoek Long beach Ocean View Soetwater Kommetjie POWER COULD BE RESTORED EARLIER The City of Cape Town said electricity supply could be restored at any time, and customers must please treat all electrical installations as live for the full duration of the planned maintenance work. Residents are advised to switch off appliances as a precaution to avoid damage from power surges when power comes back on. The municipality apologised for any inconvenience caused and thanked residents for their cooperation. Planned outages form part of the City’s ongoing preventative maintenance programme, which is designed to upgrade ageing infrastructure, improve network performance and reduce the likelihood of unexpected power failures in future.
TechCentral
FSCA debars CEO of JSE-listed bitcoin treasury company
South Africa's financial services sector regulator has debarred Africa Bitcoin Corporation CEO Warren Wheatley.
TechCentral
Report shows big shifts in online spending in South Africa
South Africans will spend R159-billion online this year, but the growth rate is set to fall from 35.4% to 22.5%.