Johannesburg
📑 NSFAS 2027 Openings, SA’s 2036 Olympic Bid 🇿🇦 & Local Medicine Breakthroughs 💊
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📑 NSFAS 2027 Openings, SA’s 2036 Olympic Bid 🇿🇦 & Local Medicine Breakthroughs 💊
🐦 From backyard bird surprises to critical breast health resources 🎀 and the 2026 PURCO SA higher education conference highlights 🎓.
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Trivia Question❓

What is the name of the historic precinct in Johannesburg that serves as the seat of the Constitutional Court of South Africa and was once a notorious prison complex?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

NSFAS applications are open for next year’s studies. Find out who may qualify, what to prepare and where to apply free. With different closing dates appearing in official information, work towards the earlier October deadline and remember to apply separately for your university or college place.


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The 2026 PURCO SA Conference & Exhibition runs from 13–15 October at Sandton Convention Centre, bringing together more than 500 higher education procurement and finance leaders for three days of sessions and exhibitions.


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Interesting Facts
  • The Massive Subterranean Lakes: Deep beneath the Cradle of Humankind's rolling hills, the John Nash Nature Reserve cave network (which includes the Gladysvale and Malapa systems) houses an immense, largely unmapped underground water system. Cave divers are still actively exploring its completely submerged lakes hidden hundreds of metres below the surface.

 

  • Pretoria's Hidden Volcanic Activity: Unlike Johannesburg's sedimentary gold fields, South Africa's administrative capital sits right on an ancient, dormant volcanic network. The Pretoria volcanic complex left behind rare, specialised carbonatite and volcanic rock formations (like those at Derdepoort) directly underneath the city's foundations.

 

  • A Historic Demolition Record: On 6 November 1983, Johannesburg drew global attention for a masterclass in precision physics. The city successfully imploded Van Eck House (originally Escom House), a 21-storey Art Deco skyscraper in the central business district. It dropped perfectly into its own footprint without shattering the glass of the surrounding skyscrapers.

South Africa imports most of the active ingredients used in its medicines. A new Pretoria facility aims to help researchers and businesses develop local production. The potential benefits include stronger supplies and better preparation for health emergencies, while lower prices remain a goal rather than an immediate promise.


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South Africa is among seven countries interested in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics. Johannesburg could be part of a proposal involving several cities, although venues are not confirmed. A successful campaign would bring the Games to Africa for the first time.


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Tip of The Day
Go outside and enjoy Gauteng's spectacular purple canopy.
We are currently at the peak of Jacaranda season across the province. While Pretoria is famously known as the "Jacaranda City," Johannesburg has even more, with over 75,000 Jacaranda trees compared to Pretoria's 70,000. Take a drive up to Northcliff Ridge or Westcliff today to see the massive, vibrant purple carpet covering the suburbs before the heavy summer rains wash the blossoms away!

Curious about jollof rice, suya or egusi? Start with local menus at Jollof Café in Gallo Manor and Mama Putt in Sunninghill. This guide explains a few dishes, suggests useful questions before ordering and introduces Ozoz Sokoh’s award-winning cookbook for anyone keen to explore further.


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Melville Koppies’ grasslands contain a variety of indigenous plants, but invasive growth, erosion and litter require ongoing attention. A recent community meeting highlighted the people behind that work. Discover why the reserve matters, what to notice on a walk and the practical details for visiting Central.


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Q/A Questions
  • Question: Outside of Miami, which Gauteng town unexpectedly holds one of the world's largest collections of Art Deco style architecture?
    • Answer: Springs (located in Ekurhuleni, Deco-style its 1930s gold boom created a massive concentration of geometric Art Deco buildings).

 

  • Question: Why does it technically take longer to boil an egg in Johannesburg than it does in coastal cities like Cape Town?
    • Answer: Because of Johannesburg’s high altitude (1,753m). Lower atmospheric pressure causes water to boil at 94°C instead of 100°C, meaning food cooks more slowly.

 

  • Question: Which two historical figures are officially recognised by the city council as the namesakes behind the naming of Johannesburg?
    • Answer: Johann Rissik and Christiaan Johannes Joubert (the two government officials sent to survey the goldfields in 1886).

You've Got to See This

Beginner-Friendly Repair Hacks That Actually Work 🛠️⛏️

Johannesburg Water plans protective steel covers at a Jan Smuts Avenue site where repeated pipe repairs have left roadwork unfinished. Contractor quotations and approval are still needed. Here is what the utility has said, plus the details to include when reporting a leak or an incomplete repair.


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Tayla Kavanagh ran 10km in 30:50 in Romania, beating the South African women’s road record by 22 seconds. Coming just 15 days after her national 5km breakthrough, the performance adds another achievement to her season. Her average pace makes the result even easier to appreciate.


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Secret Little Hack

The 3cm Window Rule: When driving through high-risk smash-and-grab zones in Johannesburg, keep your car windows rolled up almost completely, leaving a tiny 3cm gap at the top.  A slight gap absorbs shock and lets the window glass flex or crack instead of shattering inward instantly. This delays an intruder, protects your face from flying glass, and buys you crucial seconds to drive away. 

A breast change can be worrying, but you do not have to work out its cause yourself. Know which signs need attention, what to ask at an appointment and when to discuss mammograms. Find trusted information and CANSA support to help you take the next step.


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Hadedas can detect prey underground, weavers build to attract a mate, and Cape robin-chats imitate other birds. Discover three familiar garden visitors through surprising facts, videos and a sound recording, then try a ten-minute birdwatching activity with the family.


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Tucked inside Mountain View Shopping Centre, MV Café is your go-to neighbourhood spot for killer breakfasts, easy family dinners, and everything in between.
 
We serve up a warm vibe, perfectly pulled espresso, and a menu that effortlessly flips from Mediterranean-inspired favourites to your absolute café classics. It’s the ultimate space whether you're downing a quick morning flat white, settling in for a massive catch-up with friends, or feeding the whole crew.
 
 

One last thing: Don't blame us when your quick morning coffee run instantly turns into a two-hour lunch date!🍴🍔☕💞

 

AddressCorner of 14th Avenue & Weltevreden Road, Mountain, View Shopping Centre, Northcliff
Days OpenMonday to Sunday
HoursMonday: 7:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesday to Saturday: 7:00 am to 9:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Phone(011) 476 2720
Book Now
💡 Answer to Trivia Question:
Constitution Hill
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