Heritage

Constitutional Court: a 'shining beacon of hope'

THE official opening of the Constitutional Court on Human Rights Day, 21 March, was as much a tribute to South Africa's maturing democracy as a celebration of Joburg's ambitious regeneration process.

Incentives to boost inner city growth

FROM July, developers who invest in the Joburg inner city will get a special tax incentive as part of government's new intervention to regenerate inner cities across the country.

SA's history tied to the story of a fort

WHEN Joe Slovo was held at Johannesburg's Old Fort prison, now part of Constitution Hill, warders queued to seek legal advice from him in his "Chambers". In the prison setting this was the toilet - the only private place for white males. Black males had no such privileges - their toilets were located in the middle of their cells.

Letting opportunities on Constitution Hill

CALLING all potential developers or tenants keen to take up occupancy on Constitution Hill and become part of one of the most exciting developments the city has yet seen!

Constitutional Court, an artwork through and through

THE soon-to-open Constitutional Court was abuzz with activity this week as various choreographers steered workmen here and there, hurrying to get the premises perfect for its grand opening on Human Rights Day, 21 March. Several frowning judges paced around the entrance in deep discussion with organisers. Relocating is said to be one of life's most stressful experiences, so now was clearly not the time to ask them how they were feeling.

Constitutional Court opens for business

THE first sitting of the country's highest court, the Constitutional Court, in its brand-new building in Johannesburg, took place on a rainy February morning amid construction vehicles, muddy puddles and hardhatted workers.

Recollecting the past brings the Old Fort alive

A PROJECT to document memories of former prisoners of the Fort, a historic prison which gained notoriety for its brutal treatment of prisoners for almost a century, promises to shed light on the experiences of its inmates and to bring that past alive to present day visitors to the new Constitution Hill Precinct.

Ex-inmates recall Joburg's Old Fort

THE stories of Johannesburg's Old Fort - the grim and sinister jail that for over 80 years saw the incarceration of countless prisoners, including many anti-apartheid activists - are legion.

Luring investors back to the CBD

A NEW tax relief measure for inner city property owners will help to woo investors back to Johannesburg's CBD - and ensure they stay there, say property analysts.

A jail becomes a celebration of women

JOYCE Seroke is sitting in the courtyard of the old Women's jail, enjoying the sunshine. Behind her is the solitary confinement cell that kept her a cold and lonely political prisoner for two months in 1976.

Building the 'Robben Island of Joburg'

JOHANNESBURG, the city of commerce, lacks the powerful public architecture of Cape Town or Pretoria. But that's about to change. Three major public buildings are under construction in the city, each an attempt to capture the multi-cultural ethos of the country, and each a powerful demonstration of the best in modern South African architecture.