Economist.com Cities Guide: Johannesburg Briefing - October 2005

News this month

Encouraging signs

Many South Africans believe crime is getting worse. But the latest annual statistics, published in September, show the opposite to be true: murders, attempted murders, burglaries and car-jacking were all reported to be in decline.

The province of Gauteng, of which Johannesburg is the capital, had the second highest number of murders after KwaZulu-Natal, with more than 3,600 last year—including just under 700 in Johannesburg itself. But on a per-capita basis, Gauteng ranks the fifth most dangerous of the country’s nine provinces, and has experienced a sharp drop in the number of murders (down by 24.4% since 2001). Although Gauteng recorded the highest number of rapes (almost 12,000, including more than 1,500 in Johannesburg), it ranks fourth most dangerous on a per-capita basis and is the only province to have recorded a decline every year since 2001.

Thumbs up

South Africa received a nod of approval in September from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its sound economic management. In its annual review, the IMF praised the government for stabilising the economy over the past decade and for making structural reforms. GDP grew by 3.7% last year (and could grow faster this year), inflation is under control and foreign exchange reserves are high. The rand has recovered from its low point in 2001 and last year the budget deficit fell to 1.5% of GDP. But despite the impressive record, unemployment remains stubbornly high.

Hot off the press

A new English-language newspaper is targeting young, upwardly mobile blacks in Johannesburg and the Gauteng suburbs. Nova, a daily tabloid, is the latest product of Deon du Plessis's Naspers media group, publisher of the Daily Sun, South Africa's most popular newspaper. With its mix of local news and business stories, and a generous helping of sports coverage, Nova is aiming for a circulation of 50,000 in its first five months.

Mr du Plessis says he has set his sights once again on an audience that does not traditionally read newspapers. The Sun, which he launched in 2002, targeted blacks living in South Africa's townships, and now claims a circulation of 2m. Whether Nova will replicate its success remains to be seen. It will have to compete with six daily newspapers already circulating in Gauteng province.

Murky waters

Typhoid broke out in Delmas, a town 70km east of Johannesburg, in September. Health officials reported that four people died and hundreds more fell ill; pressure groups claimed the death toll was higher. The outbreak, which provoked street protests, was traced to a contaminated borehole that supplied water to residents.

Ripples of panic were felt in Johannesburg, where opposition politicians claimed the disease could spread to the city. Rand Water, which supplies about one-quarter of South Africans (including Johannesburgers), is in talks with the Delmas municipality to take over its water supply.

Catch if you can

October 2005

“Hoot”

October 3rd—November 20th 2005

Following its success at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, this one-man show comes to Johannesburg for a longer run. “Hoot” is the story of a white businessman who falls on hard times and loses his lavish villa and high-maintenance wife as a result. To make ends meet, he gets a job as a minibus driver, moves to a poorer part of town and starts to come to terms with a different way of life.

The talented Matthew Ribnick portrays a gallery of colourful characters in this clever satire on multi-racial, post-apartheid South Africa. From the Indian landlord, black taxi-driver and coloured tenants of his block of flats, no one is spared a ribbing. The result is a witty, touching portrait of life in modern South Africa.

Market Theatre, 56 Wolhuter St, Newtown. Tel: +27 (011) 832-1641. Tickets can be booked online. See also the theatre's website.

More from the Johannesburg cultural calendar