by Ed Nechama Brodie

 

 

Johannesburg, they will tell you is "the most powerful commercial centre on the African continent". Despite making up just 1.4 percent of South Africa's land area, it employs 12 percent of the national workforce and is home to over 20 percent of the population. It hosts every form of commercial activity under the African sun, and generates 16 percent of the country's GDP. It is the lifeblood of this country.

To an outsider, it is a bustling, busy and unforgiving city. A city of lights and action, pollution and noise, people constantly on the move - in beaten and scarred taxis, brilliantly shining BMWs and, more often than not, battle-weary business suits.

But to those of us who live here, Joburg - or Jozi as we affectionately call her - is so much more. Despite the city's reputation as the commercial hub of South Africa, those who make their lives here do so for more than the kerr-ching of the cash register.

There is a passion in Joburg that gets under your skin and in your blood, and once you've experienced it, it's something that you can't easily live without. It is hard to define and equally hard to find elsewhere, and the reason is simply this - it is the passion of the people of this city. Some were born and bred here, most have made their way here from the many corners of our country (and others besides), but all have in common the fact that, despite its drawbacks, there is no other place where they would rather be, and no place in the world they would rather call home.

This book is the story of a city on the verge of something great, but more importantly, it is the story of the people and organizations that are making this something great possible. It is not a complete reference to everything that has been accomplished over the past 12 years, that would require ten books.

What we have done is provide highlights, telling as many stories as we can about the positive changes that are taking place, in a bid to challenge the prevailing views of Joburg and spread a message of hope, optimism and pride about a great city and its future.