You might think you know Hillbrow… but after listening to Tebza’s story on this week’s podcast, you’ll realise there’s so much more to see.

Johannesburg, South Africa (08 April 2026) – We talk a lot about changing narratives… and this week’s podcast does exactly that.

In the latest episode of ‘Good Things with Brent Lindeque‘, Tebogo Mabye, or Tebza as he prefers to be called, sits down for a conversation that feels like an invitation into his world. It’s honest, and layered, and it’s deeply rooted in Hillbrow… a place he still calls home and one that continues to shape everything he does.

Tebza’s journey didn’t start with opportunity laid out in front of him. Growing up in Hillbrow, he faced real challenges, including time spent in shelters, navigating an environment that demanded strength from a young age. But what comes through so clearly in our conversation is not the difficulty, it’s the perspective he’s chosen to carry forward. He speaks about his upbringing with pride, about the people who shaped him and about the belief that where you come from can be the very thing that drives you forward.

That belief turned into action when he launched Hillbrewed Coffee Co., a business he built without formal training, relying on instinct, curiosity and a deep desire to create something meaningful in his community. The coffee shop became a space that created opportunities for others and showed that something special could exist right in the heart of the inner city. Even after losing it during COVID, Tebza didn’t step away from the dream, he evolved it, leaning further into food and the passion that had always been part of his story. That passion would take him onto MasterChef South Africa, where he brought his self-taught skills and personal story into kitchens watched by the entire country. But that was never the final destination. Tebza has continued to grow, stepping into modelling, pursuing sport as a kickboxer and building a life that reflects every part of who he is.

Today, he is also part of Jozi My Jozi, where he leads a Walking Tour, guiding people through Hillbrow in a way that challenges perceptions and opens eyes. It’s not about painting a perfect picture, it’s about showing the real one… the culture, the energy, the people and the stories that often go unseen.

If you’ve ever needed a reason to believe in the good things again, this poddie will give you that… and so much more.

Watch and listen to the episode on all our social platforms (like all of them).
New episodes drop weekly.
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Stories that matter. Conversations that count.

Sources: Good Things with Brent Lindeque

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

The post From Hillbrow to Headlines: Tebza’s Story is Changing How We See Joburg appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Joburg’s inner city has a reputation. Crime, decay, broken buildings and abandoned dreams. That’s the story most of us believe. On Monday, I discovered another one.

Johannesburg, South Africa (07 March 2026) – I stood in a kitchen, in the middle of the inner city of Joburg, where everything is “broken”. Crying. I was trying to hold it back. But it wasn’t working. Hope is contagious.

In the middle of a conversation with Chef Anthony, standing in a massive what-used-to-be corporate kitchen, listening to what they do. I cried. Robbie Brozin (who was standing next to me) hugged me. Ja, the co-founder of ‘Nando’s’ and the founder of ‘Jozi My Jozi’ could see (and feel) what was going on. And he comforted me.

The work that I do takes me to places that move me. Often. Our emails overflow with good news, but in equal measure, we receive daily messages from people in need. We connect them with the people who can help them. That’s exactly why we created ‘The Helpers’. Our “sister” platform. A place that connects South Africans with the help they need. And connects the helpers with South Africans (so that we can help them). And it’s working. The platform is busy. It’s connecting people. ‘The Helpers’ is helping.

But the work I do also takes me to places, physically.

Robbie has been trying to get me to come see what they are doing at ‘Jozi My Jozi’. He is so passionate about fixing the inner city. If you haven’t watched my poddie with him, please do. It’s such an important conversation.

And even though I sat in a room with him, talking about the work he is doing, I didn’t fully understand it.

I do now.

Hope is contagious.

So, we set a date. “Meet me at 44 Main, Marshalltown, on Monday”. This Monday. Last Monday. It’s taken me a while to process. But sitting here this morning, after MCing a three-day conference, watching the sunrise on a Saturday, I’m ready to tell you a story.

I wrapped up at eNCA on Monday morning and made my way to 44 Stanley. Ja, that wasn’t a typo. I instinctively thought I was going to that beautiful little shopping centre in Braams. Like, we were going “for lunch”, so it made sense. I had my birthday there a couple of years ago. At the brewery. It’s the cutest. You must go. But I was wrong. 44 Main is in the middle of the CBD.

I HATE the middle of Joburg. It scares me. It’s filled with crime. And you have to be on super-alert all the time. It’s dirty. And falling apart. Nothing works there. Everything is broken.

But when Robbie asks you to go to lunch, you go where he tells you.

I changed the address and followed my WAZE. It took me to a multi-storey parking. A massive plaque said “Anglo American Only”. I explained that I was there for ‘Jozi My Jozi’ and the security guard, with the biggest smile, welcomed me. I parked, and he explained that I needed to cross the road, walk down a block, then turn left to see the entrance.

WALK?!?! IN THE MIDDLE OF THE JOBURG CBD?!?!?

Verkeerde WhatsApp-groepie, Maritjie.

But it wasn’t. And I had to.

I took a deep breath. Shoved my phone deep into my pocket. And started walking.

There were security guards on every corner. And it was clean. And the gardens were so beautiful. There were people everywhere. Walking around. Corporates, students, tourists, and everything in between. At one point, I saw a ballerina, in full garb, drinking an iced coffee, walking like she was in the middle of New York.

I wish I had taken a picture.

A young lady, dressed in her ballet kit, walking in the inner city without a care in the world. Her hair looked like it had been glued back, with the most perfect bun I have ever seen. With one hand, she was sipping her coffee; on the other, she had a bag loosely hanging over her shoulder. Not clutching it in fear of anything. Confident as all hell. Walking in the middle of Joburg’s inner city.

This is not the Joburg I carry in my mind. This is not the Joburg anyone would imagine. But it is real. And it is true.

The entrance to the building was unreal. No, the entire building is unreal. Anglo American built it in the 1930s. It was, and still is, an absolute marvel. It was their headquarters for almost 100 years. But they left seven years ago. The building sat empty. They were trying to sell it. To leave the city, like so many have. “No one wants to be in the Joburg CBD.”

Robbie stepped in a couple of years ago and suggested that they don’t. His belief is that the Anglo building was one of the first in the city, and it needed to be steadfast. It needed to stay. And become something else. It needed to be the thing that helps rebuild the city.

Mal, I know. This guy is nuts. But it’s the “crazy” ones that get things done.

They trusted him and in just two short years, the plan started to take shape.

I met Robbie in his office. Right next to the original Oppenheimer office. Every corner of this building carries history. You can see it. You can feel it. The wooden panels, the windows, the thick carpets, the furniture, the art. Every single surface holds a story. I told Robbie, while looking out his window, “you would swear you were in New York. Or London. Or Paris.” It’s unreal.

We chatted for a while and then Robbie took me on a tour of the building. The Dr John Kani Performing Arts Academy has moved in. And the Joburg Ballet school (hence the ballerina walking the streets like she owns the place).

He took me to a floor to meet an organisation that is changing the way we address homelessness in the city. We went deep into a conversation about how they are breaking the cycle with real, sustainable tools. There are no “real” stats on the homelessness crisis in Joburg. The numbers sit anywhere between 8,000 to 30,000, depending on who you ask. But this organisation is physically changing that. They are getting people off the streets. And helping them restart their lives. They aren’t just talking about what they do. They are doing it.

It was at this point that I could start to see what Robbie is creating. The vision. The mission. The action. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. One of the buildings. One of the projects.

Robbie then told me that we had to visit the building across the road. On the way there, he pointed out other buildings. And what was going on behind the facades. Wits Business School is moving in there. All seven storeys. “MIT” is moving in there. Ja, a play on the words of the famous MIT. A school for information and technology. And that building is where the new clinic and pharmacy are going.

This all feels so hopeful. So… not broken.

The Maharishi Invincibility Institute (MII) is where we eventually landed up. A school and university that has around 3,000 students. Kids from the hardest backgrounds. All getting an education thanks to Dr Taddy Blecher.

The MII gets its name from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Indian teacher who founded Transcendental Meditation. The “Maharishi” part is simply a nod to him and the philosophy that inspired the school, while “Invincibility” comes from his idea that education should help people develop such strong inner confidence, clarity of thinking and personal capability that they become “invincible” in life. It’s not about being physically unbeatable, but rather about building the kind of mindset, skills and self-belief that help someone overcome obstacles and succeed. The institute adopted the name because its model blends academic learning with personal development and meditation, with the belief that when students strengthen both their education and their inner resilience, they’re far better equipped to navigate the real world.

We walked through the halls and classrooms. State-of-the-art facilities. Computer labs. And meditation rooms. And classrooms that look like they should be in a private school. There’s even a “tinker room”… a place filled with LEGO and motors, and connections to teach the kids about robotics. Robbie tells me that they are entering the Robotics Olympics this year.

One of the many, many floors is dedicated to “security”. Kids getting the skills to become professional security guards. It’s a three-year course. And all the third-year students have to do “practical”. Most of the security around the area are these kids. Even the person who signed us into the school is part of the programme.

Robbie explained that MII identifies gaps in the employment sector and then provides kids with the education they need to get jobs. They even have contracts with massive corporates to upskill these kids, and then give them guaranteed employment. 95% of their students leave MII and get jobs.

This is goosebump stuff. Life-changing.

Robbie tells me that the kids come from terrible circumstances. But this is giving them an opportunity. It’s hope in action. Before leaving, we walked through a massive quad in the middle of the building. It felt like I was in Stellies. Students sitting around. Chatting. Singing. Eating lunch. Being students.

The quad led to a huge canteen. And behind it, a kitchen that used to feed all the Anglo employees. It’s now the heart of this incredible space.

We chatted with a student from the culinary school, doing their “practical” in the kitchen. Lunch is over. And the kids have all been fed. His smile is contagious. His love for this school is infectious.

He tells us that he is enjoying what he is learning but it’s the sport he loves the most. I would later learn (after meeting Kristen Scott) about Maharishi Park. A modern sports clubhouse and multi-purpose fields for basketball and soccer that work together with MII’s top-tier fitness centre, all designed to support physical well-being, academic success, and personal growth. Kristen tells me most of these kids have only played on dirt fields. Now they get to experience world-class facilities. Changing their “normal”.

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”

Kristen and the team at MII understand this.

Robbie asked the student to call the head chef. Anthony Morris. We waited a minute and a man dressed in his double-breasted chef’s jacket popped out the back. He gave me a hug, then explained that the kitchen feeds all the students. Every day. The passion in his words made me so happy. And so sad. They have a lunch programme. And a breakfast programme. And a dinner programme. They allow the students to bring Tupperware, in case they need to take food home for their families.

I need you to read that again.

Chef Antony tells me that the school holidays are the hardest for him. Because he knows that many of the kids would go hungry. And so would their families.

I was completely overwhelmed.

You see, it’s not just about the food. Or the love that Chef Antony has. Or what the school is doing. Or how this part of the city is coming back to life. Or the fact that there are plans to do more. Or that it is actually happening.

It’s that it is also helping.

Jozi My Jozi’s plan is working. It is changing the inner city.

And that’s when Robbie hugged me.

I get it now my friend. I understand what you have been working on.

Hope… is contagious.

We left the building and walked down Main Street. Passed more buildings with more plans. Passed more people walking around. Carrying their laptops. Drinking their coffees. Chatting to friends and colleagues. Eventually we landed up at Sadie’s Bistro. A beautiful restaurant. In the heart of the city. With tables in the street.

It feels like this little gem should be in Sandton, or the Parks… or even Paris. But here it is, in the middle of Jozi.

The owner, Julian Ribeiro, tells me that he left his very fancy corporate job, went to culinary school and opened Sadie’s Bistro in 2022. He knew that he wanted to open a restaurant. And he knew that he wanted it to be in the middle of the city.

He believes that is how we fix Joburg… by leaning in.

The restaurant, named after his grandmother, who gave him his passion for cooking, sits right next to the old JSE building. Julian took us into the reception where old photos hang on the walls, showing traders “back in the day”. The “Closing Prices” dated the 7th of December 1978 is still there, all written on a massive chalkboard.

Back at the restaurant, there is a buzz. It’s packed. People having meetings. People having lunch. And it was one of the best meals I have ever eaten. We sat chatting about the private tour Robbie just gave me. The insight into how this little part of the city is changing. And how that change is contagious.

When I walked back to my car, I felt less scared. My phone wasn’t as deep in my pocket. I looked around at how life is returning here. At how “not broken” this place is. At how this could possibly be the thing that turns Joburg around.

And yes, it’s just a small part of the city. And it’s absolutely crazy to think that this may be the start of a revolution.

But there is hope here.

And hope… is contagious.

Sources: Brent Lindeque OpEd 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

The post Hope is Contagious! The Joburg CBD Story We’re Missing! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Once homeless and growing up in a neighbourhood often written off for its dangers, Tebogo Mabye now wears many hats to highlight the potential of Hillbrow.

Johannesburg, South Africa (05 February 2026) – Tebogo Mabye grew up in Hillbrow, a neighbourhood often written off for its hardships and danger. Yet for him, it is home.

“I call it home because that’s where I was born and raised, and that’s the community that I feel closest to.”

It all boils down to perspective.

“The same people that some might call dangerous are the same people that shaped me, who protected me, and who continue to protect the community.”

Life was never easy. Tebogo experienced homelessness and spent years in a shelter, but those early struggles never defined him. Today, he is a chef, barista, part-time model, kickboxing champion, and 2024 MasterChef SA contestant. More importantly, he is a voice for the young people of Hillbrow.

“The one I feel closest to is the one I am now. Still inspired not to let my circumstances take over, trying to run my own businesses and give back to my community in whatever way I can.”

His work with Jozi My Jozi Walks, a community-led walking festival, showcases the heart of his mission. Tebogo’s tour through Hillbrow won the prize for capturing the area’s complexity. Everything from the good, the bad, and the ugly.

“I took people around landmarks that shaped the community, including places I grew up in, showing that there are ways to exist positively here and to preserve the neighbourhood.”

Tebogo is careful not to position himself as the hero. Instead, he emphasises on the collective effort. During the walk, a young woman, Pinky, he had mentored prepared a meal that was shared on the rooftop.

“One of the meals was a recipe I taught her when she was younger.”

For Tebogo food is more than a means of sustenance, it is connection.

“Nutrition and food are one of the best ways to impact a person.”

Through cooking, mentoring, and connecting people with one another, he fosters relationships and resources that strengthen the community.

Looking ahead, Tebogo hopes to see Hillbrow continue evolving through the efforts of its residents.

For a man who has lived through the hardship and is now shaping the lives of others, Tebogo sees a future where the neighbourhood he grew up in becomes a place of opportunity for those who live there.

Sources: GTG Interview 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

The post Homegrown in Hillbrow, Tebogo Mabye Turns Life Lessons Into Community Impact appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Recognising the urgent need for child safety in the city, Joburg Child Welfare is stepping up this weekend to provide a solution:  the Play Café – a fully supervised and creative space where children and their families can enjoy secure playtime.

Johannesburg, South Africa (05 December 2025) – This weekend, the heart of Johannesburg gets a much-needed haven! Joburg Child Welfare (JCW), in partnership with the Johannesburg Artist Market (JAM), is thrilled to launch the Play Café!

This isn’t just any play area; it’s a safe, fully supervised, and creative space designed to give Joburg families peace of mind, especially at a time when child safety concerns in the city are at a critically urgent level.

The initiative is also supported by Play Africa and Jozi My Jozi, a movement championing sustainable, citizen-driven transformation in Johannesburg’s inner city.

Abubakr Hattas, CEO of Joburg Child Welfare, says the Play Café is not a luxury;  it is a necessary intervention.

“It provides an inclusive, safe play space that brings together children supported by JCW and others in the broader Johannesburg community, to ensure that every child has the opportunity to lead a normal and healthy life.”

“We cannot ignore the reality that many children in our city are simply not safe,” Hattas cautions.

This space deliberately integrates children supported by JCW with children from all Johannesburg communities to promote inclusion while prioritising safety. It also provides people with an opportunity to experience firsthand the work of JCW and its beneficiaries and introduces opportunities for them to positively contribute to this work.

A purpose-built, fully supervised play space

From hemed sensory zones to quiet rooms for children with special needs, the Play Café introduces a range of carefully designed, child-focused features. It also includes imaginative playhouses, building zones and problem-solving stations.

Other creative play activities include creative corners for art, music, drama and storytelling as well as active play areas for physical development and a café-style lounge for parents to work, relax and connect while their children play under full supervision.

JAM’s revitalisation of the centre through markets, exhibitions, workshops and performances now contributes directly to sustaining the Play Café and JCW’s broader programmes.

The unique space operates on a self-funding model driven through affordable per-child tickets and flexible passes for the public. The JCW provides free access for all JCW beneficiaries, and all proceeds are reinvested into JCW’s essential services and programmes linked to the Play Café.

As schools close for the end-of-year holidays, JCW expects a surge in demand from parents seeking a safe, supervised alternative for their children.

Dean Weil, Team Lead, Social Engagement Pillar of Jozi My Jozi says initiatives like the Play Café show what is possible when committed organisations come together to prioritise child safety and wellbeing.

“Jozi My Jozi is proud to support JCW in this vital work, and we remain committed to building a city where every child can realise their full potential in an environment that protects and empowers them.”

“Jozi My Jozi deeply values the critical work Joburg Child Welfare is doing in our city. Their teams are not only creating safe, nurturing spaces for children to learn, play and grow, but are actively shaping the next generation of Johannesburg’s leaders by instilling confidence, resilience and strong values,” Weil adds.

A call for partners to strengthen child safety across the city

Corporations, foundations and civic partners are invited to support the Play Café and its programmes through sponsorships, in-kind contributions, volunteer engagement, or funding of special projects.

“Every contribution directly protects a child,” Hattas says.

“We have launched the Play Café to meet an urgent need, and we invite partners to help us expand safe spaces like this across Johannesburg.”

Play Café is open to the public this weekend, and families and children are invited.

Event bookings for special use of Play Café can be made via info@joburgchildwelfare.co.za. All proceeds made from Play Café bookings will go towards JCW’s programmes.

Sources: Supplied

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post New Play Café Offers Supervised Fun for Joburg Children appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A new space in the heart of Johannesburg, Field of Dreams offers the city’s youth an opportunity to build confidence and flourish.

Johannesburg, South Africa (27 November 2025) – For many young people in the Johannesburg CBD, sport has lived on pavements and in alleyways until now. The launch of the Field of Dreams marks a turning point for the inner city, finally giving the youth a safe, full-sized, world-class space to play, grow and belong.

Situated near the M1 Selby offramp, the brand-new precinct includes the first full-size football field built in the CBD in 100 years, along with spectator stands, netball and basketball courts, change rooms and a clubhouse. It’s designed to be more than just a sports venue; it’s a space for community and mentorship.

The project is led by the Maharishi Invincibility Institute (MII) and Standard Bank, with valuable support from Jozi My Jozi, Italtile, and the BW Cares Foundation, and was inspired by former national cricket captain Dr Ali Bacher, who helped spearhead the initiative.

For Dr Taddy Blecher, the Field of Dreams speaks directly to the potential of Johannesburg’s young people.

“This is more than just a football field, it is a solid investment in our youth. For decades, this city was known for its gold and industry. Today, we are digging deeper for something far more valuable: the genius, creativity, and infinite potential within our young people.

The Field of Dreams will be a place where they build confidence, learn teamwork, and discover that their futures are boundless. It is a symbol of pride being restored to our city.”

The development was championed by Dr Ali Bacher, who has long used sport as a tool for social change.

“Sport has always had the power to unify and uplift,” said Dr Bacher.

“The Field of Dreams is part of a broader movement to restore dignity, possibility, and safe spaces for young people across our city.”

Collaboration has played a major role in bringing the Field of Dreams to life. Civic organisations stepped in alongside corporate partners to make the project possible. One of the key contributors is Jozi My Jozi, a movement focused on reviving Johannesburg’s inner city and restoring pride through collective action.

Their involvement emphasises how joint efforts can create real change where it’s most needed.

The facility is expected to host leagues, training programmes, and youth-driven initiatives for communities in the CBD and nearby townships. It also reflects the belief that transformation only becomes sustainable when multiple sectors work together with a shared purpose.

Sources: GTG/Supplied 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Field of Dreams: Building a Sporting Future for Joburg CBD appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Through its Babize Bonke campaign, creative hubs, and Gateway Projects, Jozi My Jozi is bringing light, safety, and pride back to South Africa’s biggest city.

Johannesburg, South Africa (17 September 2025) – Johannesburg has always been considered a city of contrasts. Africa’s richest square mile in Sandton sits only a highway away from Alexandra, one of the country’s most challenged communities. The central business district, once alive with commerce and culture, has in some parts become associated with crime and neglect. Even while holding some of South Africa’s most important historical landmarks.

It is against this environment that Jozi My Jozi, a collaborative movement of citizens, creatives, businesses, and government, is working to reimagine and regenerate Johannesburg. Their approach is rooted in the belief that Joburg can once again be a safe, vibrant, and world-class African city.

Now, imagine you are on a guided tour of Johannesburg. Not the luxurious side, but the side where history, culture and community resilience shape the city’s character. Close your eyes (actually, don’t, because you need to read this) and picture yourself standing at Constitution Hill, a place that tells the story of South Africa’s past and democratic triumph. From there, the journey unfolds, stopping at sites that reveal both the city’s struggles and its renewal.

The route then takes us to Victoria Yards, a lively hub where creativity and community intersect. Once an industrial space, it now houses artisan studios, visual artists, and urban farming initiatives. It is also a space for skills development, with projects that empower local talent and transform the area into a thriving ecosystem of innovation. Many Johannesburg residents are still unaware of this hidden gem, yet it sits at the very heart of the city’s creative pulse.

The tour then continues through their Gateway Project, where Jozi My Jozi is revitalising key entry points into the city. Cleaner, safer, and more welcoming gateways offer a different first impression. One that matches Johannesburg’s ambition as it prepares to host the G20 Summit later this year.

In the Maboneng precinct, we see the cultural heartbeat of Joburg, with art, music, and entrepreneurship breathing life into the streets.

At the Anglo American building in Marshalltown, Jozi My Jozi launched its Babize Bonke campaign. Babize Bonke meaning ‘call everyone’ was illustrated through video and short film on eight ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Their stories embody the resilience and creativity that keep Johannesburg’s spirit alive.

And finally, the tour comes to an end with the Nelson Mandela Bridge lighting up once again. Long dark and neglected, the bridge now shines thanks to Jozi My Jozi, reconnecting the north and south of the city in a powerful symbol.

The creative force behind the Jozi My Jozi brand is Melusi Mhlungu and his agency We Are Bizarre. He left an award-winning advertising career in the US to return home two years ago to help fix Joburg.

“Working on this project was a great reminder to the team and me that we live in a city of truly remarkable people. Meeting them and hearing their stories was a privilege, and we knew these needed to be told in a beautifully crafted way with both care and heart. The finished product, crafted by the amazing film director, Justice Mukheli, working under extreme time pressures, makes me extremely proud. It is truly an honour to be able to share them with the people of Jozi, our country and the world.”

Through initiatives like Babize Bonke, creative spaces like Victoria Yards, and projects such as the Gateway upgrades, Jozi My Jozi is restoring pride in Johannesburg to reshape how the world and its own residents see the city. It is a movement that reminds us that Johannesburg is not just a city of contrasts but one of possibilities.

Sources: GTG/ Supplied 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Johannesburg in Focus: How Jozi My Jozi is Reimagining the City appeared first on Good Things Guy.

He helped make peri-peri global but now Robbie Brozin is turning his fire toward something even bigger… the soul of a city.

Johannesburg, South Africa (28 May 2025) – There’s something incredible that happens when you sit down with someone who not only dreams of a better South Africa… but rolls up their sleeves and actually gets stuck in to make it happen.

On this week’s episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque, I had the absolute privilege of chatting to Robbie Brozin (yes, that Robbie Brozin), the co-founder of Nando’s, the man behind Goodbye Malaria, and the driving force behind the growing movement that is Jozi My Jozi.

You might know him because of peri-peri chicken and those cheeky Nando’s ads but his purpose has always been deeper than spice. These days, his mission is clearer than ever: he wants to fix Johannesburg. Not for clout, not for likes, not for a quick win… but because he genuinely loves this city. And it’s that kind of passion that’s hard not to be inspired by.

“Joburg’s got soul,” he tells me. “We just have to clean it up a bit and show people how amazing it already is.”

Robbie’s story is a proudly South African one, from building an international food brand rooted in local flavour, to fighting malaria across Africa, and now investing his time, energy and heart into revitalising Jozi.

He’s not shouting from the sidelines; he’s hands-on, funding artists, cleaning up spaces, building bridges between business and community and lighting a fire under what could be possible if more people joined in.

What struck me most in our chat is how much he believes in us. In South Africans. In our creativity, our resilience, our humour and our ability to overcome.

“The answers aren’t somewhere else,” Robbie says. “They’re right here. In us. We just need to believe it.”

And that’s what this episode is about. It’s about possibility. About taking ownership. About finding your lane and doing something, anything, to make where you live better.

Robbie Brozin is one of those rare humans who makes you want to do more. Be more. He reminds us that it’s not about waiting for someone else to fix things. It’s about starting. It’s about showing up. It’s about finding the good and growing it.

And that, my friends, is a good thing. A really good thing.

Watch and listen to the episode on all our social platforms (like all of them).
New episodes drop weekly.
Powered by Nando’s. Filmed at FLAME Studios.
Stories that matter. Conversations that count.

Sources: Good Things with Brent Lindeque 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post From Chicken to Change: How Robbie Brozin Is Rebuilding Joburg appeared first on Good Things Guy.