Johannesburg Botanical Gardens. The city’s beautiful green spaces come to life. Image: Lorne Philpot
Johannesburg: A broken city full of beauty [photos]
Here is a reminder of the reasons why SA’s largest city, Johannesburg, is still a beautiful city to live in right now.
Johannesburg Botanical Gardens. The city’s beautiful green spaces come to life. Image: Lorne Philpot
Johannesburg is often in the news for all its failings. It might feel like South Africa’s largest city is just a shadow of its former self with all of its issues.
A BROKEN CITY
More often than not, the City of Gold receives negative publicity for its numerous failings, including water shortages, power cuts, impaired roads, criminal activity and a number of other shortcomings that plague the city.
Though there appears to be little maintenance and upkeep in several aspects of Joburg’s once world-class infrastructure, the city still holds a beauty of its own – especially at this time of year.
BEAUTY OF JOHANNESBURG
Despite its shortcomings, Joburg is a very pretty place at the moment. The blossoms and blooms of spring are in the air.
The sights and sounds of the new season are everywhere. Bare tree branches are beginning to brandish new leaves. The colourful shoots of new life are visible everywhere on the plants and trees.
There is a definite change of mood. The change has brought with it, renewed energy and zest. People are active outdoors and enjoy the outdoor living that South Africa offers.
ALSO READ: Johannesburg: City of beautiful autumn colours [photos]
AN URBAN FOREST
Johannesburg is home to an exceptionally large number of trees. The city is often said to be located in a forest.
Thanks to its millions of trees, Johannesburg can claim to be one of the most wooded cities in the world.
Writer Nechama Brodie who has completed extensive research about the city argues that while Johannesburg may not be the “largest man-made forest in the world” it can claim to be the “largest man-made urban forest”, according to 702.
BEST CLIMATE
Johannesburg has a very favourable climate. The city’s climate is often considered to be among the best in the world.
The climate in SA’s largest city is subtropical, with mild, sunny winters and pleasantly warm summers, usually sunny, but with some afternoon thunderstorms.
April, September and October are probably the best months in the city since temperatures are mild. Days are not as rainy as in summer and not as cold as in winter.
Johannesburg boasts clear skies and sunny days for most of the year. September enjoys low levels of humidity, making it the perfect month for getting outdoors after the winter.
