‘Is there a place for the poor?’ Artists and activists try to revive Johannesburg, crumbling City of Gold | South Africa

Bethabile Mavis Manqele, a 64-year-old resident of Johannesburg’s Berea district, faces dire living conditions in a dilapidated home with no utilities and overcrowding, reflecting the city’s decline since the 1980s. While efforts like the Jozi My Jozi coalition aim to revitalize downtown through community-supported projects, concerns about gentrification and displacement of low-income residents persist amid growing dissatisfaction with basic services. Following a tragic fire in 2023 that killed 77 people in an overcrowded building, the city is implementing strategies to address issues related to neglected and hijacked properties.