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
Moosa Kaprey remembered as a mentor and organiser of young anti-apartheid activists
Moosa Kaprey is remembered for supporting young activists, mobilising resources during the anti-apartheid struggle and serving the democratic movement across generations.
IOL
Hill-Lewis urges Cape Town voters to back DA for outright majority
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says the party wants an outright majority in Cape Town, where recent polls have produced differing estimates of its support ahead of the 4 November local government election.
The Citizen
Soweto storm rips roofs off Regina Mundi Church and school as emergency services on high alert
A severe storm tore through parts of Soweto, ripping sections of roofs off a church and a secondary school and placing Johannesburg’s emergency services on high alert overnight. The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services attended to both scenes in Soweto on Monday. The severe storm ripped sections of roofs off the prominent Regina Mundi Church and Reutlwile Secondary School, which is a public no-fee school. Roofs blown off City of Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said firefighters responded to the incidents in the afternoon. “The first incident was at the Regina Mundi Church, where the roof was partially blown away, with no injuries reported in the area. “The second incident was reported in Molapo, Reutlwile Secondary School, where also the roof of the school was partially blown away due to a severe storm, which was experienced in Soweto and the surrounding areas,” Mulaudzi said. Picture: Joburg EMS No injuries Mulaudzi said no injuries were reported in both incidents. “Our specialised teams remain on high alert, which includes our search and rescue units, and also our swift water rescue unit remains on high alert to respond to any emergencies which might occur overnight.” Mulaudzi encouraged residents to call the city’s emergency management services command and control centre on 011 375-5911 for any life-threatening emergencies. Picture: Joburg EMS Tuesday weather Meanwhile, rough seas and damaging interior and coastal winds are expected to disrupt beachfront activities and cause problems for high-sided vehicles in parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Tuesday, 20 October, while certain areas in the Northern Cape, Western Cape and North West face high fire danger conditions. The South African Weather Service (Saws) has issued a yellow level 2 warning for damaging wind and waves resulting in localised disruption of beachfront activities, harbours and/or ports along the north coast of KZN, mainly during the morning. Warnings A yellow level 2 warning has also been issued for damaging interior winds, which may cause localised damage to settlements, make high-sided vehicles vulnerable on prone routes, and increase the risk of runaway fires in the extreme northeastern parts of KZN, mainly during the morning. Expect extremely high fire danger conditions over the Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality in the Northern Cape, Central Karoo District Municipality in the Western Cape and Moretele Local Municipality in the North West. Gauteng It will be a fine day in Gauteng, becoming partly cloudy and warm in the afternoon. The region’s expected UVB sunburn index is “high”. Residents should take the necessary precautions against prolonged sun exposure.
The Citizen
Madlanga Commission to hear bid for secret intelligence testimony
The Madlanga Commission is set to hear arguments in an application seeking to have the testimony of Dr Ntandazo Sifolo, the Acting Coordinator of the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC), heard in-camera. The application was brought by the commission’s evidence leaders on 12 October 2026 and is opposed by the amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, Daily Maverick and Media24. In-camera Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on Monday directed that the in-camera application relating to Sifolo’s evidence will be heard in an open session at the commission’s venue in Pretoria on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, from 9am. According to the directive, the applicants will be allocated 45 minutes to move and argue their application. The respondents opposing the application will also be given 45 minutes to present their arguments and respond to the applicants’ submissions. The applicants will then have 15 minutes to reply. Written submissions Dr Sifolo serves as the Acting Coordinator of NICOC, the body responsible for coordinating South Africa’s intelligence structures. The commission said the parties’ written submissions relating to the application will be published on its website. Testimony Dr Sifolo was originally scheduled to begin testifying on 13 October 2026. However, in a late-night update, Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels confirmed that his appearance had been postponed. The Citizen last week reported that an attorney representing the Commission supported the in-camera application with an affidavit describing the anticipated evidence as highly sensitive. “His evidence relates to classified material which has been declassified for use by the Commission but not for public dissemination,” the affidavit stated. Intelligence According to the affidavit, Dr Sifolo is expected to testify about the relationship between NICOC and other intelligence and security structures, as well as the identification, assessment and reporting of threats linked to organised crime and criminal syndicate infiltration of the criminal justice system. The Commission argued that the confidential information is so deeply embedded in Dr Sifolo’s evidence that it cannot realistically be separated from the rest of his testimony.
The South African
CAS reveals date to rule on legitimate AFCON 2025 winners
Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has revealed a date to rule on who the legitimate winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). In January 2026, Senegal were crowned AFCON champions after beating Morocco 1-0 in a final filled with controversies. On the night, a number of Senegal players walked out of the pitch in protest for a dubious penalty which was awarded to Morocco. They then returned to pitch after the game had stopped for almost 15 minutes, and Edouard Andy denied Brahim Diaz from the spot. Pape Gueye then scored the winner for Senegal, much to the delight of many African football fans. Morocco lost the game but they later protested the result with CAF who ruled in their favour, and Senegal appealed the ruling with CAS. Now, in a statement released on Monday, CAS revealed that its panel has begun its work and continues to deliberate on the matter. CAS said the final ruling on who the legitimate AFCON 2025 winners will be released at the end of November 2026. CAS TO DETERMINE LEGITIMATE AFCON 2025 WINNERS IN NOVEMBER “This is a procedural update regarding the decision for the appeal by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF, in French) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF, in French),” reads the statement. “The hearing took place behind closed doors at CAS headquarters, in Lausanne, on Thursday 8 October 2026.” “The Panel have begun and continue their deliberations.” “The CAS arbitrators have decided to issue a complete ruling which includes legal grounds, known as a CAS Award. This process will require several weeks, with the CAS Award expected at the end of November 2026.” “Only information provided through CAS channels is considered official and any announcement concerning this case will be published on the CAS website,” concluded the statement. WHO ARE LEGITIMATE AFRICAN CHAMPIONS? Let us know in the comment section below…
The South African
Jerry Sikhosana feels sidelined and neglected by Orlando Pirates
Legendary striker Jerry Sikhosana has expressed his frustrations at how his former club Orlando Pirates treat him. Sikhosana cemented his legendary status in the mid-1990s, and helped Pirates win the CAF Champions League in 1995. The now 57-year-old scored the only goal of the game in the second leg of that final against ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan. Sikhosana was signed by Pirates from Witbank Aces in 1993, and he left the Soweto giants in 1998. However, he returned for a second stint between 2000 and 2001. At the time he left, Sikhosana had scored 44 goals in 125 official games for the Sea Robbers, and he’s never been part of the club’s setup in any capacity. Now, speaking on Chillers Punch podcast, Sikhosana expressed how painful it has been for him to not even be treated as a legend he is by Pirates. He recalled how he once had to queue for a match ticket with the rest of the fans, and also being given a VIP ticket by Kaizer Chiefs Marketing Director Jessica Motaung. JERRY SIKHOSANA FEELS UNWANTED BY ORLANDO PIRATES “You look at the Pirates jersey with a star, and the first impression should be, ‘thank you Jerry Sikhosana, you gave us a star’,” said Sikhosana. “But you’d go to the stadium, fold my arms and queue with the supporters to go and buy a match ticket. I swear to God that’s what is happening. “I was once in Durban with Brian (Baloyi). We moved to a suite, I bumped into Thandi (Merafe), and she looked down. “I then saw Eddie (Edward Motale) and Lucky (Lekgwathi), and they wearing these new Pirates tracksuits, and you could see that these are the two legends that were picked for that game. “And they were like, ‘and what about the uniform?’, and asked them ‘what uniform? I’m not a Pirates legend. I’m just wearing my clothes’. “Chiefs legends wore their own uniform. I wouldn’t wear the Pirates merchandise. All I wanted there was to ask for a ticket as a Pirates legend but I was deprived and Chiefs gave me.” WATCH THE SNIPPET OF THE INTERVIEW BELOW… Jerry Skosana says he’s sidelined at Orlando Pirates as a legend. pic.twitter.com/ffffgVHXUQ— Meshack Bevhula (@MeshackBevhulas) October 19, 2026
TechCentral
Post Office wants R2.2-billion from government as it braces for another loss
A previously committed amount of R3.8-billion for modernisation and for creditors still owed money was never released.
TechCentral
AI music is here and the South African rulebook is blank
Samro now requires members to disclose AI use in songs but sets no minimum human contribution.