Johannesburg is back in the global spotlight, and rightfully so. In the latest Time Out Index, Johannesburg was named the 9th most diverse and inclusive city in the world, according to the people who know it best: the locals.
The annual Time Out survey asked more than 18,000 city-dwellers across the globe how they feel about their hometowns when it comes to diversity, inclusivity, and how welcoming the city is to people of different backgrounds, cultures, and identities. And Johannesburg, along with Cape Town, made the top 10, rubbing shoulders with the likes of London, New York and Dubai.
It’s no surprise to those who live here. Johannesburg is a melting pot of languages, cultures, styles and stories, and that mix is reflected in everything from our food to our fashion to our everyday street scenes. You’ll find Zimbabwean sculptors in Maboneng, Congolese seamstresses in Yeoville, queer-friendly cafés in Melville, and Muslim-owned bakeries right next to gospel blaring salons, all part of the same vibrant, sometimes chaotic, but always interesting city.
But what does inclusivity look like in practice? Here are just a few ways Joburg is walking the talk:
Spaces that celebrate queer culture in Johannesburg
From the legendary Ratz Bar in Melville to forward-thinking parties like Queertopia and Sundae Sundae, Joburg’s queer nightlife and creative scenes are bold, expressive and proudly visible. These aren’t just parties, they’re safe spaces and affirmations of identity where everyone is welcome to show up as their full selves.
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Markets that represent the continent
Need a snapshot of pan-African energy? Look no further than Rosebank Art & Craft Market or The Playground Market in Braamfontein. Whether it's Congolese fashion, Ethiopian coffee, Senegalese beauty brands, or Nigerian food pop-ups, these markets show how Johannesburg is a hub of continental identity and exchange.
Events that spark cultural dialogue
Initiatives like The Johannesburg Arts Alive International Festival and the Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising at Constitution Hill give voice to creatives from across racial, gender, and economic lines, offering platforms where everyone’s story counts.
Why it matters
In a world where identity politics and division still dominate headlines, Johannesburg’s recognition as a diverse and inclusive city by those who live here is something worth celebrating. It shows that despite our challenges, we’re building something that works, a city where differences don’t just exist, they thrive.
So, whether you're a newcomer, a creative, a traveller, or someone just trying to find their place, Johannesburg is saying: there's space for you here.
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