Joyce Levinsohn
For more than three decades, Joyce Levinsohn has been the leading light in children's theatre, putting on fantastical productions and bringing some magic to the lives of young Joburgers. Read More
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Stompie Manana
Although a founder member of the famous African Jazz Pioneers, Stompie Manana has been described as one of the country's most overlooked trumpeters. Read More
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Gus Malgas
In the 1960s he defied his peers and spent his days learning to swim. Today, "they all come to me for training", says Gus Malgas. Read More
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Sara Gon
WITH a lawyer and former judge at the helm, the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra has gone from strength to strength, and Sara Gon is not resting on her laurels just yet. There is much work still to be done, she says. Read more
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Italo Bernicchi
ITALO Bernicchi is mad about movies. After the Victory Theatre closed in the 1980s, he set up a cinema in his home. Read more
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Penelope Thloloe
PENELOPE Thloloe devotes her time to teaching Joburg's young school children to dance. Read more
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Pastor Thabile Mnisi-Msibi
PASTOR Mnisi-Msibi has devoted her life to helping others, but her heart is in Orange Farm. Read more
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Dr Carol-Ann Benn
DR Carol-Ann Benn is hard to pin down. The breast disease expert is rather busy healing women, running a foundation and a home, teaching and saving stray animals, among other things. Read more
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Taddy Blecher
HIS feet are firmly on the ground, but Taddy Blecher, the founder of CIDA City Campus university, steers by the stars. Read more
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Paul Verryn
The Methodist Bishop of Johannesburg has found some peace, though no calm, in his busy life. He is a grass roots activist who needs little sleep, packing as much work into his day tending to his flock as he can. Read more
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Gerald Olitzki
Call him Mr Joburg, or just a citizen who really cares about the city he lives in. Either way, Gerald Olitzki is deeply committed to Joburg's future - and he won't rest until the city regains its former glory. Read more
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Chris van Wyk
Skinder and the use of a wicked sense of humour as an anti-apartheid weapon are the secrets of his success, says Chris Van Wyk, author of the sparkling 'Shirley, Goodness and Mercy' Read more
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Artist William Kentridge
ARTIST William Kentridge is one of Johannesburg's most famous residents. His art, now selling at prices few can afford, commands respect around the globe. Read more
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Dr Nthato Motlana
Having lived in Joburg for almost 70 years, Dr Nthato Motlana has seen enormous changes taking place - from the city's "difficult" past to the "thrilling" developments taking place today Read more
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Jurgen Schadeberg
One of the country's top photographers, Jurgen Schadeberg, has been taking pictures of Joburgers for the past 50 years. Now in his 70s, he is still capturing Joburgers in dramatic black and white images Read more
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Reverend Sam Buti
The Reverend Sam Buti saved Alexandra from apartheid's bulldozers. Then he became mayor of Alex and his troubles started. But he's come full circle, and is again sought after by Alexandrans. Read more
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Len Sak
Cartoon character Jojo is much loved by readers of the Sowetan. He's a person who demonstrates ubuntu to others, giving his opinion and advice on all sorts of issues in the warmest way. His creator, Len Sak, speaks about Jojo's conception
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"Baby Jake" Matlala
One of Joburg's most famous celebrities, he is very involved in the Soweto community where he was born, making a tangible difference to its residents Read more
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David Koloane
Artist David Koloane has always been aware that black artists have had to work harder to get their art recognised. He has actively worked to improve their work conditions and help them to broaden their artistic perspectives Read more
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Aggrey Klaaste
Former editor of the Sowetan, Aggrey Klaaste, is acknowledged across the country for the Nation Building initiative he introduced when he took over leadership of the newspaper in 1988. The programme still goes strong, as does the Sowetan. Read more
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Richard Hall: 'Mr Melville Koppies'
AT 82, Richard Hall, also known as "Mr Melville Koppies", still spends two mornings a week tramping around his beloved hills, organising one of the city's great natural attractions Read more
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'Mr Kapitan': curry chef to the kings
Madanjit Ranchod, a sprightly 76-year-old, is the chef at the legendary Kapitan's, one of the city's oldest restaurants, best known as the place where the young Nelson Mandela lunched each day Read more
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Flo Bird - Jo'burg's diminutive dynamite
"Don't ask me dates," says Flo Bird, amateur historian and fiery five foot tall (156cm) campaigner for preserving old Johannesburg Read more
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Don Mattera: poet of compassion
Poet and journalist, gangster turned community activist, Don Mattera, voice of compassion, has personified his community for decades Read more
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Neil Fraser - passionate city man
He's got a full white beard and moustache to match his white hair, he smiles often, and he's passionate about cities, particularly Johannesburg . . . he's Neil Fraser, executive director of the Central Johannesburg Partnership (CJP), an inner city renewal initiative Read more
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Winnie Mabaso
Winnie Mabaso cares for Aids sufferers, runs a soup kitchen, helps her neighbours obtain ID documents, finds foster homes for orphans. Why? It has to start somewhere, she says Read more
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