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Like most South Africans who have lived in Johannesburg, I have a love-hate relationship with the churning, ruthless, vibrant and culturally rich metropolis that was founded on gold mining and is driven by industry and crime. I ended up leaving the city after decades of pursuing my dreams in Joburg, but every few months I’m drawn back and it’s as if I’d never left. Some cities one might visit for their museums and buildings and galleries. But Johannesburg I tour for its monumental people. Beneath the skyline, in abandoned buildings - and even underground - there are people leading extraordinary lives. Among them are waste recyclers, informal butchers, illegal miners, good samaritans, hawkers
and dreamers. They are the stars of an astonishing new book of photos by Mark Lewis and text by urban planner Tanya Zack called Wake Up, This is Joburg. We asked Zack to choose six of Lewis’s photos and reveal the human stories behind them.
No matter how long ago you left school you probably remember your favourite teachers. Or maybe you’re at the stage of your life when your children share stories each day about the teacher they like best. Teachers, after all, are a central part of our lives - and truly excellent educators can make all the difference in what aspects of school you enjoy and benefit from most. Zayd Waghid explores five qualities he believes are present in all great teachers.
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Tanya Zack, University of the Witwatersrand
From butchers to hawkers, and shelters to miners, this book reveals the informal economy and texture of the city.
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Zayd Waghid, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Exceptional teachers can leave a lasting impression on more than just their learners.
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Benedict Weobong, University of Ghana; Irene Botchway, University of Ghana
Mental health still carries significant stigma in Ghana.
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Jane Duncan, University of Glasgow
Having an intelligence service that is not fit for purpose means the country is vulnerable to security threats from within and outside the country.
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From our international editions
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Jay Silverstein, Nottingham Trent University
We uncovered evidence of a rebellion so significant, that events such as Cleopatra’s affairs and the rise of Christianity may not have come to pass without it.
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Tadas Nikonovas, Swansea University; Stefan H Doerr, Swansea University
New research shows boreal forests comprised 23% of global wildfire emissions in 2021, up from 10% in a typical year.
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Rosario Aguilar, Newcastle University
Many Mexicans fear that the democratic safeguards set up after decades of authoritarian rule are being undermined.
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Christopher Gordon De Pree, National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Christopher R. Anderson, United States Naval Academy; Mariya Zheleva, University at Albany, State University of New York
Many telescopes use the radio spectrum to learn about the cosmos. Just as human development leads to more light pollution, increasing numbers of satellites are leading to more radio interference.
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