While Johannesburg’s inner city grapples with crumbling infrastructure and neglect, a creative revolution is quietly taking root there. Artists, designers, and musicians are transforming the inner city’s abandoned spaces into thriving creative hubs, thereby breathing new life into the city’s core. With 21 hubs mapped in the last year alone, these vibrant spaces are fostering entrepreneurship, social upliftment, and cultural exchange among Johannesburg’s youth. Yet despite the growing impact of these hubs, the city’s long-term plans barely acknowledge the sector’s potential. As cities worldwide scramble to retain creative talent, Johannesburg already has a head start. However, it will require the political will to invest in and support the sector. If harnessed properly, its creative economy could effectively be the new “gold” in the City of Gold’s future.
The Conversation
