Joburg’s visions for 2020

The good, the bad and the ugly would be one of the best ways to describe 2019 in Mzansi. With 2020 off to a blissful start, we felt it was best to reflect on the highs, lows and lessons learnt from the past year and some future plans.

We spoke to precinct experts Josef Talotta of South Point Student accommodation and Bheki Dube, ‘Mayor’ of tourism in Maboneng. We also heard what their 2019 was like and to see what’s in store for their vision for 2020.

With South Point as one of South Africa’s largest private providers of student accommodation, you can rest assured that there will never be a dull day. Executive head for precinct development, Josef Talotta, gave us his experience of 2019.

“This year’s ‘high’ was the development of our Reserve Street cultural node, which is full of beautiful and carefully considered spaces,” Talotta said.

The Reserve Street cultural node is home to some of the best places in the city – from bookstores to cafés – you can get a bit of everything.

“There’s a great bookstore, The Commune; a large state-of-the-art cultural centre, The Forge (which you’ll be hearing a lot more about – think exhibitions, screenings, lectures and performances); The Artivist, a destination gallery-dine-bar with its complementary secret back-alley underground space, Untitled; Dasslers Café, also located in a sexy little courtyard off an alley; Amazi spa and nail-bar, a sexily designed women’s training academy – and, last but not least, Relay, which is a brilliantly designed denim gallery.”

And while he does not dwell on the lows, his 2019 lesson is a keeper.

“Stick to your plan, even if it takes a little bit longer than you anticipated – it’s always worth it in the end!” said Talotta.

Mayor of tourism in Maboneng, Bheki Dube, reflects on some of the changes he has seen this year.

“In the entire country I have seen a shift in terms of how people are consuming. There was like a 10 per cent drop in the number of international visitors coming into the area, however, what that has done is that we have seen a huge increase in domestic visitors but obviously with some retailers taking strain and the food and beverage component having a rise,” Dube said.

Although the rise in local visitors to the precinct has increased the closing of the M2 highway had a negative impact on businesses.

“With the M2 being open again there is now access into the city so the domestic market that comes from places like Soweto or the northern suburbs can come into the Maboneng area free and safely,” said Dube

Looking towards the future, the 2020 vision for both precincts is hip and happening. Braamies residents can look forward to innovative product development with the new student residential tower, The Odyssey, and some beautiful art in the alleyways of Braamfontein.

“We also have some very interesting plans to regenerate Braamfontein alleyways, creating walk-through art galleries, the reinterpret public space – we’re seeing a clever mix of public art and street-art installations, interesting landscaping and design solutions, appropriate cultural activations and improved functionality – watch this space!” Tolatta said

And for the Maboneng movers there will also be some new resident units, new businesses and one of the safest walkways in Jozi.

“Fox Street which is the spine of the neighbourhood and an anchor for Joburg will be the longest and safest street in Joburg CBD. Starting from Curiocity Backpackers at number 302 down to 1 Fox. This was the initial vision of Maboneng and now it is finally materialising. There will also be 4 000 new residential units, new businesses and fresh activity. All these improvements and innovations allow for international and local travellers to engage with the space as it grows,” Dube added.

This is what some Joburgers had to say about their 2020 visions: