Joburg story through the eyes of young video artists

A new generation of storytellers is shining a light on the spirit of Johannesburg, documenting a city defined as much by its systemic failures as by its community-driven resilience

Under the banner of Joburg Speaks, twenty young video journalists have successfully captured the essence of the city through their own lived experiences.

Supported by the Henry Nxumalo Foundation and mentored by award-winning filmmaker Kofi Zwana, these storytellers ventured into their neighbourhoods to showcase the creative ways residents are coming together to build a better Johannesburg.

“When you unleash a team of young video journalists onto the streets of Joburg, you get an incredible array of perspectives that only they could bring.

“It has been incredible guiding these passionate young people from such diverse backgrounds and to watch them capture their own slices of Johannesburg in its struggles and successes, has been a powerful reminder of how vital the voices of young people are in this bold tapestry that is our city,” said Zwana.

While the city faces undeniable challenges, the films produced by these journalists focus on the "fixers"—the individuals and neighbourhoods taking proactive steps to safeguard their future. From grassroots safety initiatives to social reform, these stories provide a window into the soul of Johannesburg.

Here is a short description of the films:

Residents Tackle Cable Theft - By Tendani Selai

As City Power and the SAPS struggle to contain a rampant cable theft crisis, the burden of security has shifted onto the public. In suburbs like Greenside and Parktown North, the response is increasingly privatised. City Power has formalised this shift through the Community Partnership Programme, signing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) that allow residents' associations and private security firms to act as first responders. However, the film highlights a stark "security divide," where a community’s ability to keep the lights on is often determined by its access to money.

Changing The Lives and Fortunes of Car Guards - By Unathi Ndlovu

Everyone in Johannesburg has a relationship – good or bad – with car guards. Often these men are seen as nuisances who just want money for waving at you to exit the parking lot. Then there is Sipho Mazomba. His quest to rid his Diepkloof community of drugs and turn around the lives of addicts. Mazomba, founder of the NPO Ngaphandle Kokukholwa Akathokozi (NKA), identified shopping hubs as "hustling centers" for those battling substance abuse.

By partnering with mall management, Mazomba has professionalised the role, enforcing set hours and standards.

The initiative has successfully converted survivalism into stable, dignified work for men previously written off by society.

E-hailing Drivers Fear For Their Lives - By Sizo Mtshali

Johannesburg’s e-hailing drivers report they are fighting a two-front war: one against violent hijackers and another against restrictive government regulations. As the Department of Transport moves to regulate the industry by limiting drivers to specific routes—mirroring the traditional taxi industry—drivers warn of financial ruin. Combined with threats from taxi patrollers at major shopping malls, the film exposes the high personal cost paid by those keeping the city’s workforce mobile.

No Time To Heal After An Emergency C-Section: There Is No Water - By Mokgosi Mokgosi

Perhaps the most harrowing account comes from Claremont, where some residents have lacked a regular water supply for over a decade. The film follows Jillian Singh, a mother of four, who was forced to haul heavy water containers immediately after undergoing an emergency C-section. Singh’s story serves as a scathing indictment of service delivery failures, highlighting the plight of "forgotten" suburbs that remain invisible to local government despite years of broken promises.