Hi everyone,

My phone was recently stolen while out with friends. I managed to do a SIM swap and got back into WhatsApp.

When I logged into WhatsApp, the thief used a different phone to message my contacts on WhatsApp asking for money.

I also saw contacts that weren’t mine (like “Baby Boy” and other random names).

There’s even a contact saved as “You” belonging to someone else with their full name + email address.

When I restore my backup, the strange contacts disappear, but if I log out and back in, they reappear.

I also tried tracking the phone:

With Samsung’s Find My Mobile, it was last seen in Hillbrow.

Two hours later, with Google Find My Device, it showed up again a block away, still in Hillbrow.

So far, I’ve got my number and WhatsApp back, but I’m still trying to figure out how I ended up seeing someone else’s contacts/data. Has anyone else experienced this? Could it help me track the thief, or is it some weird backup/sync issue? Should i even go to police, knowing how they are in this country. Any advice would be appreciated.

All of last week I found myself caught in gridlock traffic on the N1 and today I read new car sales are up 21% (Jan - Jun 2024 vs Jan - Jun 2025), this is just passenger car sales by the way, excluding commercial vehicles. Obviously this is not great from a traffic standpoint.

Now I'm sitting here thinking of leaving at 5 in the morning, but this means arriving at the office before six just to sit in the car for two hours before the day starts.

https://naamsa.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/20250701-Flash-Report-Standard.pdf

Hi guys. I’m really struggling right now. The amount of effort I need to exert to do the simplest of things is causing so much self-hatred. I just have this brain fog almost all the time. I feel like this has been going on my entire life but this year i’m juggling work and Uni and it’s just been really difficult. My patience at work is getting really low as I approach exams and colleagues joking say that I can be intimidating and/or angry sometimes. I don’t think I will be able to go any further in my life if I don’t get checked out and see what problems i may be having. I wanted to check if I possibly have ADHD but I don’t know where to start. If anyone is willing to shed some light i’d ge really grateful🙏 I live around Auckland park.

I am looking into using the Gautrain for the commute to work in Jet Park, but the closest bus stop is at Emporers Palace from Rhodesfield.

Has anyone successfully requested a new bus stop and how long did it take?

And what are your experiences with using Bus to Destination in terms of timing, is it long?

I'll be flying into Johannesberg and staying overnight at an airport hotel before renting a car and heading to Kruger. I noticed theres many dispensaries in Joberg but I am weary of driving into the city because I have heard nightmares regarding safety etc.

Is there reputable dispensary near the airport I can go to? Do dispensaries offer same day delivery to the hotel? What is the best way to navigate this? Am I being overly cautious by avoiding driving 15-20 mins into the city and just walk into a dispensary?

Thanks!

Hello Joburgers, i will be in Straton the coming week. Any recommendations for an affordable car rental within the central? Thank you

Anyone willing to sell or donate a ticket for comic con Sunday? Tried to buy 2 but unfortunately got scammed and still desperately want to go

Does anyone know of any affordable but good sewing classes around Northcliff or Sandton? I tried advertising for it on Facebook or asking but my post keeps getting deleted, despite being in the relevant group.

I know how to do embroidery and basics of a machine but would like to know how to sew dresses or kimonos please

So many escalators!

This post may come off to locals as a bit odd but I wanted to just share a note about the 10 nights and days I stayed in Joburg recently and how I came away feeling like it is one of the coolest cities I have been to. No, honestly.

I did spend a few days in CT and it is really amazing. The scenery there is so stunning, yes. It is truly one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. So going there first then coming to Joburg would seem like a colossal let down. And it was at first. I came with my sister and we went to the Eastgate Mall to get food because we were staying in the airbnb in Ponte. I had hoped to go on the N3 to the M2 but GPS rerouted us along Albertina Sisulu which was eye opening. When we got to Bertrams Rd. there were no lights... and I was a bit leery, I guess and my sister was like, "it's fine, it looks like Philadelphia" (we are from the US). And at the intersection, everyone was... taking turns, being courteous, not honking or road raging like I am used to.

The drive through Berea to Ponte was like... again somewhere in the US, maybe Baltimore or Philadelphia. The buildings have seen better days but there are satellite dishes and people living their lives. You'd be hard pressed to spot major differences between ungentrified Harlem and Hillbrow in some places.

The flat is amazing (on the 54th floor) and the views are spectacular. We did some tourist stuff from Ponte, a tour of Hillbrow, a bike tour of Soweto, a walk through The Wilds, etc. A day trip to Pilanesberg. Overall, I was not expecting Joburg to feel so familiar and look like Southern California as much as it does. Also, I was ready for machine gun toting guys to jump us at any moment when I arrived but was kind of surprised at how Joburg, even Hillbrow, is dead quiet late at night.

We went to Vic Falls and I came back alone (my sister went home), stayed one night in the CBD and then went to Namibia. After that I had planned to go to Athens but decided to come back to Joburg instead to relax and take a break from being on the go (back at the Ponte). The ride at night from the airport through the CBD in an uber was actually more scary than driving through Hillbrow/Berea. The uber driver had this look of terror and dread the whole time so that did not help. When I came back, I was able to meet up with a couple friends of friends and really just see Joburg. I drove around a lot and saw some interesting places. Yes, I was watching out for car hijackers and double checking the door after I locked it but that is unfortunately because I am used to doing that where I live now.

I was truly surprised at how many people I met who are quite terrified of Hillbrow/Ponte/Berea even though they have never been. I was actually more nervous driving in areas with really high walls because it is very difficult to see around the corners. Luckily I never lost power or water. The roads in Joburg would put the roads in many North American cities to shame and that is not hyperbolic. I did not go through Alexandra but we did drive into and then bike around Soweto which was not at all intimidating. But driving through areas like Orange Grove, the CBD, Braamfontein, Sophiatown, Rosettenville, Germiston, etc. (plus lots of Pretoria too). I was blown away at how much more "normal" everything seemed than I was expecting.

The biggest differences I really noticed were:

• Security everywhere: I guess that you just get used to having your license scanned every place you go and having security people even in garages.
• Warning of crime: Everyone is always talking about crime constantly. Yes, I know this is a major issue but I did not see any crimes nor did I feel unsafe at any point. Again, coming from high crime areas in the US, I was not naive and did my best not to put myself into dangerous situations but overall, it was a lot more like the US than I expected.
• Politeness: People are actually very nice and polite when you are in a store or retail establishment which is not the case here at all. When they found out I was a tourist, they wanted to know what I thought about South Africa and were even more polite.
• Traffic lights out: I was amazed that cars and even the minivan taxis are all pretty chill (here there would be lots of honking, jumping the queue, road raging) when they are in these intersections and how well it works.
• Random poverty: Although I have become used to tent cities here in the US but it was still shocking to see giant areas of shacks along the road
• Buildings sitting empty in the CBD: There are many iconic buildings in the CBD that have sat empty since the late 90's that should be redeveloped into housing or some use. As many of these are owned by the government, it is even more disheartening to see them rot away and not be put to use.
• Random police checks on the motorways: I was not expecting this to be as frequent or common but I want to say that almost every time I went out on the motorways, there was some line of police stopping everyone or spot checking people.
• Bright flashing billboards at night on the motorway: Especially on the M1, the bright flashing billboards that directly face drivers on the motorway seem like a safety hazard. Especially in stretches with poor lighting.
• Everyone's reaction when I told them I was staying in Ponte/Berea (not really Hillbrow but synonymous with it). The building itself is secure and you have to go through security turnstiles to get in. The security guards seemed a bit bemused but were also leery of why I would be going out after dark. There were tons of kids and families in the building. The flat is amazing and the views were to die for. It was definitely one of the coolest places I have ever stayed.

So yes, I loved CT a lot. But it is like the icing on the cake. It is easy to love and be amazed by. Joburg was rougher and more wild west and I really liked the vibe overall. It was just more like a NYC vibe in an LA setting. CT was like San Francisco in vibe and weather.

I really loved Joburg and I hope to return soon. Honestly one of my fav cities and I have been to many. I know it is a hard city at times and that I am seeing things from a different lens, but I do love the place.

A view from the City Sightseeing

We’ve finally realised our dream and got our hands on a well priced golden oldie fix-upper. Previous owners are old and basically had little to no security measures in place (insane we know), so obviously our first priority after transfer is finalised is 100% beefing up security.

So, looking for some safe advice/guidance from fellow Joburgers/South Africans; according to your experience what security measures and products do you recommend, and if you have a plug on a good supplier/place to get them please shoot that over.

Please and thanks

Festival of motoring

I really don't want to go alone to festival of motoring, any introvert going to festival of motoring on Sunday (ladies only then we can make a girly date out of it) ?

Seems like every weekend is already packed with things to do around Joburg

I am currently staying in Bramley and am about to go homeless.

I was wondering if there are any places anyone would recommend to go or advice for the area?

Thank you in advance

Edit: Update: Thank you to everyone who took time to give advice. I found a distant relative who is willing to help me with a temporary reprieve. Still good to have the advice to fall back on though. Thanks again

Hey guys I’m trying to network and meet new people as a founder. Does anyone know what coffee spots or restaurants where I can meet fellow founders or investment bankers or VCs in Joburg ? Specially Sandton or Fourways or Bryanston? Thanks

Does anyone know of a hairdresser who has experience with neurodivergent / autistic people? I'm convinced such a thing exists!

hey, i’m a student that previously studied at stadio and i’m on the fence on transferring to villioti fashion institute. i’d like if someone gave me their honest experience and review on the college please.

Hi, I'm just here for a few days and need to get some work done. What are some nice and quite restaurants I could work from?

Thanks!

Post your business, skills or whatever else you want to sell or promote here.

Yes har har "I'm an amazing person". Your mom thinks you're very funny, original and witty. The rest of us do not. This is the only thread for self-promotion for the week, so let's keep it on topic