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Trivia Question❓Johannesburg is famously known as a city built on gold, but what is the name of the massive ridge of gold-bearing rock that runs east to west for about 56 kilometers directly beneath the city, making it the richest gold deposit ever discovered on Earth and the very reason Johannesburg exists at all? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
For generations, the green barcoded ID book has been woven into the fabric of South African life, marking milestones from job applications to marriages and elections.
This iconic document is now approaching retirement as the Department of Home Affairs prepares to phase it out in favor of the more secure Smart ID card.
Officials cite increased risks of fraud and identity theft with the old system, while Smart ID cards offer biometric checks and enhanced protection.
The switch aligns with broader national efforts to modernise identity systems and strengthen the National Population Register.
Although no final cutoff date is set, Smart IDs are quickly becoming the standard, helped by partnerships between Home Affairs and major banks that make applications more accessible nationwide.
The green ID book remains valid for now, but for many, its gradual replacement marks the end of an era in South Africa’s journey toward digital identity. Read More... |
Interesting Facts |
Johannesburg is one of the world's most surprising cities. Here are a few things most people never learn about it:
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More South Africans are discovering that buying smarter, not buying more, can help stretch their grocery budget. Here's how stockpiling works, the common mistakes to avoid, and simple tips to help you save on everyday essentials. Read More... |
If you're planning an international trip, there's one more item to add to your travel checklist. From 1 July 2026, most travellers entering or leaving South Africa are required to complete a digital traveller declaration before travelling. Introduced by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the new system replaces the traditional paper customs declaration for most travellers and forms part of the country's ongoing efforts to modernise border processes. If you've travelled internationally before, this is one of the biggest changes you'll notice at customs. Read More... |
Tip of The Day |
Smart Shopping: Stop Paying Full Price at the Till Most South Africans swipe their loyalty cards after the cashier totals everything, but loading your Checkers Xtra Savings or Pick n Pay Smart Shopper app before you walk in unlocks personalised specials that never appear on the shelves. Take action today: Open your store app right now, tap "My Specials" or "Personalised Deals," and screenshot the offers before you head out. You'll save a few rands without changing a single thing about what you buy. |
The Gauntlet brings its giant inflatable obstacle course indoors at Fourways Mall these school holidays. Climb, crawl, bounce and conquer the course, then make a day of it with movies, food and other activities at the mall. Perfect for families with kids aged 4 and up. Tickets from R50. Read More... |
Gold Reef City stands on the actual Witwatersrand gold fields that sparked Johannesburg’s birth in the late 1800s.
This popular theme park isn’t a mere re-creation; much of the original mining infrastructure and Victorian-style architecture remains, with preserved mine headgear and real underground shafts infusing the site with authentic history.
Families discover a unique rhythm here, cycling between roller coaster thrills, splashy water rides, gentle junior zones, and shady walkways perfect for a break.
The day’s pace slows during the heritage mine tour, where expert guides lead visitors underground, vividly revealing how Johannesburg was built from gold.
Located in Ormonde, 8 -10km south of Johannesburg’s CBD, Gold Reef City is open Tuesday to Sunday, with combo ticket deals and a variety of food outlets available.
It’s a destination designed to keep all ages engaged, where lively fun and powerful history meet for a truly memorable outing. Read More... |
Q/A Questions |
Q: Why does time seem to pass faster as we get older? A: Researchers believe it comes down to the ratio effect, when you are five years old, one year represents a full twenty percent of your life, making it feel long. At fifty, that same year is just two percent of your experience. Our brains also form fewer new memories as routines solidify, and since memory density shapes our sense of duration, familiar days blur together and years compress subjectively. Q: Can humans actually sense changes in air pressure before a storm? A: Yes, and it is more biological than folklore. Many people have pressure-sensitive mechanoreceptors in their joints and sinuses. When barometric pressure drops ahead of a storm front, these tissues expand slightly, triggering discomfort or headaches. Some studies also suggest the inner ear, which governs balance, is sensitive enough to detect subtle atmospheric shifts before any clouds appear on the horizon. Q: Why is it so hard to remember your dreams just minutes after waking up? A: During REM sleep, the brain has very low levels of norepinephrine, a chemical essential for encoding memories. The moment you wake, norepinephrine surges back, but by then the dream content has never been properly consolidated. Any fragment that does survive waking tends to vanish within ten minutes unless you actively rehearse it, which is why dream journals kept right at the bedside are surprisingly effective at preserving recall. |
You've Got to See This |
More Than Just a Pretty Seasoning |
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Lebone Applegreen, 22, founded Lumos Coffee Creations in Alexandra to create an alcohol-free social space for young people. Her waffle burgers and coffee are gaining attention, and she dreams of building South Africas biggest township cafe brand. Read More... |
The Maslow Sandton's Lacuna Bistro hosts Plated: A Chef's Table on one Saturday each month. The experience accommodates 30 guests with a five course menu paired with wines. Cost is R650 per person. Upcoming dates include 18 July, 29 August, 26 September, 31 October and 28 November. Read More... |
Secret Little Hack |
The Trick for Remembering Anything You Read Stop highlighting passages to remember them. Instead, write a single sentence in your own words at the end of each chapter, as if explaining it to someone else. Producing language encodes information deeper than merely receiving it, triggering a psychological phenomenon known as the generation effect. The real hack: summarise the text before looking back at your highlights. Forced recall forces your brain to solidify the material, turning future review sessions into quick confirmation rather than repeated exposure. |
Very few coaches leave a lasting mark on a national team. Even fewer help redefine an era. This weekend, Rassie Erasmus will do exactly that when he takes charge of his 55th Test as Springbok head coach, becoming the most capped head coach in South African rugby history. The milestone sees him move past Jake White's long-standing record of 54 Tests and adds another achievement to a career that has transformed the Springboks into one of the world's most respected rugby teams. For Erasmus, however, records have never been the objective. Since returning as head coach in 2018, his focus has been on building a squad capable of competing with the very best while ensuring South African rugby remains strong for years to come. Read More... |
Johannesburg is about to add another remarkable attraction to its winter calendar.
From 18 to 30 July 2026, Hyde Park Corner will host what is believed to be the world's largest handmade scarf chandelier, transforming the Centre Court into a colourful display of creativity, generosity and community spirit.
The spectacular installation celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Secret Scarves Shh... campaign, an initiative by 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day that has spent the past decade warming both hearts and lives across South Africa.
Read More... |
Every neighbourhood has that one café everyone seems to recommend. In Northcliff, MV Café has earned that reputation.
Tucked inside Mountain View Shopping Centre, it's the kind of place where conversations linger long after the coffee arrives. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the espresso is consistently excellent, and the menu brings together Mediterranean-inspired favourites and comforting café classics, making it difficult to order just one thing.
Whether you're meeting friends for breakfast, escaping the office for lunch, catching up over coffee or treating the family to dinner, MV Café has a relaxed, unhurried feel that makes you want to stay a little longer.
The Quick Breakdown
📍 Where: Corner of 14th Avenue & Weltevreden Road, Mountain View Shopping Centre, Northcliff 📞 Call: (011) 476 2720
Trading Hours:
One Last Thing... If someone asks where you discovered your new favourite café... we'd appreciate a little credit. 😉☕
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: The Witwatersrand Reef (also called the Main Reef or simply the Rand) |