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Articles by Neo Phashe
From an unexpected school audition to the royal stage
From an unexpected school audition to the royal stage A chance opportunity at eight years old sparked a lifelong love of performing. Now, after more than 15 years in the arts, Donae Brazer is bringing …
Joburg Theatre reveals cast for Janice Honeyman’s Alice in Wonderland
The poster for Janice Honeyman’s Pantomime Alice in Wonderland. Image: Supplied Theatregoers can look forward to a whimsical journey this festive season as Joburg Theatre confirms the ensemble for the 2026 Janice Honeyman Pantomime Alice in Wonderland, running from October 28 to December 24.
Election day: Voting delays and power outages reported in wards 87, 98 and 99
Kerry’s Brigid Dennehy wins the Auckland marathon for an incredible third year in a row It was an incredible three-peat for Cahersiveen native Brigid Dennehy over the weekend as she claimed her third Auckland marathon win in a row. She …
Front row seat to the lives of wild owls in a Fairland garden
Front row seat to the lives of wild owls in a Fairland garden Three spotted eagle-owl chicks, each about three weeks old, were ringed by EcoSolutions during a visit to a Fairland garden, highlighting the role …
What happens during an owl ringing? Inside the process in Fairland
1 hour ago Learn when it’s okay and when cleanup makes it safer. Having a fruit tree on your property is a wonderful thing, but it comes with responsibility. After waiting all year for the fruit to ripen, a mature tree will offer its bounty all at once, leaving you to reap the harvest. Add another tree to your …
Johannesburg Water cites infrastructure decay and theft for Melville dry taps
Melville residents take to the streets following weeks without reliable water supply. Photo: Neo Phashe Johannesburg Water has blamed ageing infrastructure, financial constraints and social factors for recurring supply interruptions, after residents’ frustrations boiled over in Melville on October 28.
Johannesburg Water cites infrastructure decay and theft for Melville dry taps
Cameco 1 hour ago Cameco Reports Third Quarter Results: Year-to-Date Performance as Expected; Nuclear Industry Fundamentals Continue to Strengthen; Disciplined Strategy and Integrated Nuclear Exposure Support Long-term Value Creation; Annual Dividend Declared AOL • 1h SASKATOON, Saskatchewan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 30, 2026-- Cameco (TSX: CCO; NYSE: CCJ) today reported its consolidated financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, in accordance with...
From an unexpected school audition to the royal stage
Doanae Brazer will play the Queen in the theatre production of Sleeping Beauty The Musical. Photo: Supplied Sometimes, one unexpected opportunity is all it takes to change the course of a life. For Donae Brazer, it happened when she was eight years old. Growing up in a relatively underprivileged area, she attended a school without an arts programme. That changed when the school began planning a production and brought in musician Franz Geldenhuys to oversee the music.
Melville actor Gamelihle Bovana takes the crown in Sleeping Beauty The Musical
Gamelihle 'Game' Bovana stars as King Henry in Sleeping Beauty The Musical. Photo: Supplied. A childhood speech and drama class, an iconic line from Arnold Schwarzenegger and a starring role as Bilbo Baggins in a landmark South African theatre production have all played a part in shaping Gamelihle ‘Game’ Bovana’s journey to the stage. Now, the Melville resident is preparing to transport audiences to the Kingdom of Australis as King Henry in Sleeping Beauty The Musical.
Jozi’s goat mayoral race is no baaa’d joke
Hazel and Greta with Johannes Mokgadi of the Johannesburg SPCA. Photo: Supplied If the city’s political promises have left you feeling a little sheepish, perhaps it is time to give a goat a chance. Meet Hazel and Greta, the goats at the centre of the Johannesburg SPCA’s very own mayoral election. Their manifestos feature everything from biscuit-filled potholes to bunny chow for every kennel – but their real mission is to encourage the community to support vulnerable animals.
Two cyclists, one big fence and a community worth fighting for
Alison Blair and Craig Vandeleur hold their bikes up. Photo: Neo Phashe Some cyclists chase personal bests while others chase the peloton, but Alison Blair and Craig Vandeleur are chasing R30 000 to help fund a Clear Vu fence around the recently demolished Smit Street dump.
Anger over dry taps boils over as Melville residents take to the streets
Africa 2 hours ago Sidney Hill’s hijacking shootout reignites gun debate The Citizen - Editorial staff • 2h Sidney Hill is being hailed as a hero by many after he pulled out his gun to protect his young daughter from armed hijackers trying to take his … South Africa Now South Africa vs Australia live updates: Batters look to respond on day two at Cape Town after Mitchell Starc blitz abc.net.au - Chris De Silva, By Simon Smale • 17m Good evening and welcome to ABC Sport's live coverage from...
University of Johannesburg Academy high tea brings local women together for inspiration and fundraising
Women attend the inaugural high tea at UJ Academy. Photo: Neo Phashe Laughter, delicious food and inspiring stories filled University of Johannesburg (UJ) Academy as local mothers, daughters, aunts and friends came together for the school’s inaugural high tea on October 10. An attendee dressed in a statement green outfit.
Coco Senekal claims double national title at climbing championships
Coco Senekal competes at the South African National Climbing Championships. Photo: Surefooted Photography De La Salle Holy Cross College Grade 7 learner Coco Senekal (13) kept her focus with 23 seconds remaining on her final attempt to secure a double victory at the South African National Climbing Championships. She claimed two national titles in the U13 girls’ category, winning both lead climbing and bouldering after four days of competition from September 24 to 27.
Community Cleaners cyclists race to protect Fairland park
New England Now E-bikes now rival motorcycles for speed. State and city laws haven’t caught up.
Wits Social Good Hackathon participants build tech to tackle water leaks and service failures
Neliswa Jones, Marvellous Sambo, Njabulo Ndlozi and Njabulo Khuzwayo. Photo: Supplied A burst pipe wasting water, a pothole damaging cars or a blocked drain left unattended can leave residents feeling powerless. Technology, however, developed by students at the seventh Wits Social Good Hackathon, could soon help communities decide which problems need attention first, and connect them with people who can fix them.
De La Salle Holy Cross College cellist Dilara Yilmaz tunes into national competition success
Dilara Yimlaz plays with an ensemble. Photo: Supplied For 16-year-old Dilara Yilmaz, music is more than mastering notes and perfecting technique. It is about finding the emotion behind a composition and sharing it with an audience.
Grade 8 gymnast Addison Fenner shines with national gold and bronze
Addison Fenner on the floor during a competition. Photo: Supplied When 14-year-old Addison Fenner heard her name called at the South African National Championships, she could hardly believe it. After months of training, moments of self-doubt and a competition that had left her feeling nervous, the learner had secured bronze overall in her age group – and gold on the balance beam.
Pinnacle College Linden learner Rachel Mathi earns Gauteng colours and platinum ratings
Rachel Saskia Mathi stands by a microphone. Photo: Supplied Rachel Saskia Mathi has been singing for as long as she can remember, with her mother, Keshnie, saying the music started before she could talk. Today, the Grade 9 learner at Pinnacle College Linden is turning that early love into impressive achievements, including Gauteng colours through the Performing Arts Association of South Africa and platinum ratings, the highest available, in three sections.
Sewage pollution and litter threaten Westdene Spruit ecosystem
Rubbish is taken from the Melville Koppies by a volunteer. Photo: Neo Phashe Sewage pollution and tonnes of litter are threatening the ecological health of the Westdene Spruit, even as conservationists and freshwater ecologists work to understand the damage and restore the stream. Beneath roads, past sports fields and through the ancient forest of Melville Koppies, the Westdene Spruit quietly connects some of Johannesburg’s important green spaces.
Cape Town artist Busta Boltoon brings Mysterious Island exhibition to Melville
Busta Boltoon with one of his art pieces. Photo: Neo Phashe A mysterious island filled with imagined worlds, vibrant artwork and a tropical-inspired atmosphere took shape at Stokvel Gallery in Melville, where Cape Town artist Busta Boltoon brought six artists together for Mysterious Island. The group exhibition opened to the public on October 17, following a VIP viewing on October 16, and ran until October 18, at 27 Boxes.
Cape Town artist Busta Boltoon brings Mysterious Island exhibition to Melville
Culture Now The Dark Story Behind Edgar Allan Poe’s Most Famous Photograph, Taken Four Days After a Laudanum Overdose openculture.com - Colin Marshall • 34m In the Halloween season, one American writer comes to mind more often than any other: Edgar Allan Poe. That owes in large part to his famously … 1 hour ago What London’s Sales Tell Us About the Market artnet.com - Sonia Manalili • 1h Plus, Francois Pinault plans a permanent collection at Venice's Palazzo Grassi.
Never paddled before? Try canoe polo at Dabulamanzi Canoe Club
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Could canoe polo be the next sport for Johannesburg teens?
3 hours ago Andrews died in France on Friday while on tour with the Johannesburg Lions during the Champions Cup rugby tournament. Players have stood with their heads bowed, some crying, during a minute’s silence for South African rugby player Hyron Andrews before a Champions Cup game between French side La …
Water lovers discover canoe polo at Dabulamanzi open day
Community members had an opportunity to swap dry land for the water on October 17, when Dabulamanzi Canoe Club hosted a canoe polo open day aimed at …
Preparing children for future
Relebogile Mabotja leads the panel discussion. Photo: Neo Phashe Preparing children for the future requires building confidence, independence and resilience alongside managing educational costs, says a mother following a financial education event. Khanyisile Tsiane said she wants her daughter to grow into someone who is confident, independent and resilient – a child who can choose her own path and have the opportunities to pursue it.
‘I wish I’d absorbed it more’: De La Salle Holy Cross learner reflects
Cassidy Carsten plays with two Grade R learners. Photo: Neo Phashe The playground was one of the first things that captured Cassidy Carsten’s imagination when she visited De La Salle Holy Cross College as a little girl. She remembers the excitement of seeing a place where she could play, meet friends and begin a new adventure.
A zoo trip, a chipped tooth and lifelong friends: Morgan Dreyer reminisces
Morgan Dreyer carries a Grade 1 learner. Photo: Neo Phashe When Morgan Dreyer looks back on her first years at De La Salle Holy Cross College, one memory stands out: falling asleep on the bus after a Grade R trip to the zoo. Rather than wake her, her teacher carried her into the classroom, settled her on a beanbag and let her sleep for the rest of the day. It is a small moment, but one that captures the warmth Morgan remembers about the school she is preparing to leave behind.
Deidre Hendricks turns life’s hardest chapters into a message of hope
Deidre Hendriks speaks to the audience at UJ Academy. Photo: Neo Phashe Some of life’s hardest experiences leave questions that take years to answer. For Deidre Hendricks, surviving a childhood car crash, walking away from an abusive marriage and facing breast cancer became defining moments in a journey shaped by faith, courage and hope.
From rural beginnings to chartered accountant: Ayanda Ndlovu urges girls to dream big
Ayanda Ndlovu at UJ Academy as she holds flowers she was gifted. Photo: Neo Phashe What happens when you step onto a netball court with no goalposts? You run around, tire yourself out and have nothing to show for your efforts. It was this simple but powerful analogy that chartered accountant Ayanda Ndlovu used to capture the attention of her audience at UJ Academy’s inaugural high tea, reminding women and girls that success begins with knowing what you want to achieve.
RMMCH makes room for future
Nurses and doctors that work in the emergency room. Photo: Neo Phashe For a mother arriving at hospital with a sick child, the last thing she should have to worry about is whether there is a place to sit, whether the toilet works or whether the room is too hot or cold.
Smart kids on smart roads
Young library users at Smart Roads, Smart Kids event at Linden Library. Photo: Neo Phashe A holiday programme at Linden Library taught children that staying safe on the road is about more than knowing when to cross; it is about understanding that every road user has a responsibility to keep one another safe.
Westpark Cemetery flower seller reflects on 40 years at the gate
Collen Padayachee at his flower stall. Photo: Neo Phashe For more than four decades, Collen Padayachee has stood near the gates of Westpark Cemetery with flowers at his side and generations of Johannesburg families passing before him. His stall has become more than a place to buy flowers. It has been a familiar stopping point for people arriving to mourn loved ones, remember those who have passed and, sometimes years later, return to a place they have not forgotten.
Linden Library helps seniors overcome the fear of technology
Some of the elderly in attendance at the cellphone workshop. Photo: Neo Phashe A cellphone may fit into the palm of a hand, but for some older residents, using it confidently can feel like navigating an entirely new world. Thankfully, Linden Library is helping to make that world a little less intimidating.
UJ fun run gets Johannesburg moving for a good cause
Some walked while others enjoy a good run. Photo: Neo Mantoro Around 1 000 participants gathered at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on September 26 for a day of running, walking, dressing up and socialising, combining an active lifestyle with supporting students in need. The UJ fun run attracted a diverse crowd of students, staff, alumni, families, surrounding residents and members of the public.
Ancient Melville Koppies iron smelter offers glimpse into Joburg history before gold
Chairperson of the Friends of Melville Koppies Jenny Grice speaks to guests. Photo: Neo Phashe Johannesburg may be known as eGoli, the City of Gold, but the story of the city stretches back centuries before the discovery of gold – and an ancient iron smelter at Melville Koppies offers a glimpse into that largely overlooked past.
Emmarentia Botanical Gardens welcomes spring edition of Linden Market
Guests enjoy the music. Photo: Neo Phashe The Emmarentia Botanical Gardens took on a different rhythm over the weekend as the Linden Market Spring Edition brought colour, movement and plenty of people into the space on September 26 and 27. From shoppers browsing the stalls to friends catching up, children exploring and dogs taking in the sights and smells, the gardens became a lively meeting point where there was something happening in every direction.
Pinnacle College Linden learners show what leadership really means
Imaan Osmany, Siphesihle Ngubeni and Bianca van Rheede van Outdshoorn. Photo: Neo Phashe At Pinnacle College Linden, leadership is about more than standing on a stage or wearing a badge. For the school’s student representative council (SRC), it means giving back, creating community, making school enjoyable and ensuring that every learner feels seen. The SRC is divided into different portfolios, allowing learners to use their individual strengths while working towards the same goal.
FNB research shows South African parents struggle with children’s education costs
Relebogile Mabotja leads the panel discussion. Photo: Neo Phashe Nearly nine in 10 South African parents say they plan for their children’s education, but new research suggests there is a significant gap between having a plan and being financially prepared. The findings come from FNB’s inaugural education insights 2026 research, which surveyed 444 parents and caregivers earning more than R20 000 a month, supported by qualitative interviews and an online community involving another 50 participants.
Volunteers trade litter bags for pickleball paddles at Fairland fundraiser
Margerith Marais and Debbie Fitzgibbon are in the Recycled Teenagers team. Photo: Neo Phashe Community Cleaners volunteers and supporters swapped litter bags for pickleball paddles when the organisation hosted its inaugural doubles tournament, turning a day of sport into an opportunity to strengthen community connections and raise funds. René and Rainer Prüter are in The Spring Chickens team.
Friends of Melville Koppies calls on community to help protect Johannesburg’s grasslands
Guests listen to Jenny Grice speak about the Melville Koppies. Photo: Neo Phashe Protecting the natural environment of Melville Koppies takes more than conservation work on the ground – it requires a community willing to give its time, energy and resources. This was highlighted at the Friends of Melville Koppies annual general meeting on September 19, where chairperson Jenny Grice spoke about the organisation’s ongoing conservation priorities and the importance of community involvement.
60 Jeppe High School boys clean-up historic Brixton Cemetery
Some of the learners who took part in the Brixton Cemetery clean-up. Photo: Neo Phashe About 60 Jeppe High School for Boys learners spent September 23 clearing and cleaning Brixton Cemetery, transforming community service into an opportunity to engage with Johannesburg’s history. The boys joined Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries (FoJC) for a clean-up at the cemetery, working among graves and headstones that record generations of the city’s past.
Campus Square donates stationery to Hotel Hope children
Oliver Quambusch, Rachel Mabena and Augustine Emmanuel Mwakayoka hold some of the donated stationery. Photo: Neo Phashe A large bakkie load of stationery has arrived at Hotel Hope, but for the children who will use it, the donation represents far more than pens, books and school supplies. The stationery was donated by Campus Square as part of its commitment to supporting the community, with centre manager Rachel Mabena visiting Hotel Hope to see how the items would benefit the children.
Westpark Cemetery flower seller Collen Padayachee marks 40 years of service in Randburg
Collen Padayachee with flowers outside Westpark Cemetery. Photo: Neo Phashe Generations of families returning to Westpark Cemetery continue to find the same familiar face waiting with flowers outside the gates. For more than four decades, Lenasia resident Collen Padayachee has arrived at the cemetery around 06:30 and usually leaves at 16:00. In between, visitors pass his stall on their way to remember, visit or say goodbye to loved ones.
Friends of Melville Koppies calls on community to help protect Johannesburg’s grasslands
Jenny Grice next to a lily at the Melville Koppies. Photo: Neo Phashe Protecting the natural environment of Melville Koppies takes more than conservation work on the ground – it requires a community willing to give its time, energy and resources. This was highlighted at the Friends of Melville Koppies annual general meeting on September 19, where chairperson Jenny Grice spoke about the organisation’s ongoing conservation priorities and the importance of community involvement.
Professor highlights crucial role of African grasslands at Melville Koppies meeting
Professor Sally Archibald speaks on the grasslands of Africa. Photo: Neo Phashe What might appear to be an ordinary patch of dry grass can, on closer inspection, reveal an ecosystem essential to South Africa’s water, wildlife and biodiversity.
Melville resident finds purpose in preserving local nature reserve
Sarah Charlton is a member of the Friends of Melville Koppies. Photo: Neo Phashe Every Sunday, Sarah Charlton joins other volunteers of Friends of Melville Koppies, learning about the plants and grasses that make the landscape unique while helping to remove invasive species that threaten its delicate ecosystem. Charlton, who has lived in Melville for 22 years, first developed her connection with the Koppies through walks with her dogs on Melville Koppies East.
Volunteers trade litter bags for pickleball paddles at Fairland fundraiser
Jan and Irena Du Plessis in the Two Aces team. Photo: Neo Phashe Community Cleaners volunteers and supporters swapped litter bags for pickleball paddles when the organisation hosted its inaugural doubles tournament, turning a day of sport into an opportunity to strengthen community connections and raise funds. Read more: Young tennis player plans to top his rankings by years end Jade Nel with Philippe Chapat in the Like Father Like Daughter team.
Community Cleaners transform Fairland parks
Some of the volunteer members of Community Cleaners at King and Wilson Park. Photo: Neo Phashe A park can be more than a patch of grass. For residents living in complexes without gardens, it can be a place for children to play, families to gather and neighbours to connect. Read more: Community takes action to clean up illegal dumping in Sophiatown André Swanepoel kneels down at Union Jack Park to pick up small bits of litter.
A recipe for greatness
Team Masahkane in the kitchen. Photo: Neo Phashe For Team Masakhane, the road to the Culinary World Cup is paved with long hours, relentless repetition and a simple ambition: to make South Africa proud. The national junior culinary team will head to Luxembourg in November, where their young chefs will compete against some of the best teams in the world.
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