Resilience, rituals, and resistance: What Joburg taught us in 2025

Johannesburg doesn’t do quiet years. It does layered ones, full of contrast, challenge, and moments of unexpected beauty. In 2025, the city reminded us that while the headlines are often heavy, the stories beneath them tell a more hopeful truth.

Through the stories we covered at Time Out Johannesburg this year (from major cultural moments to grassroots regeneration), a few clear lessons emerged.

Here’s what Joburg taught us in 2025, what we’re leaving behind, and what we’re carrying into 2026.

Joy isn’t optional, it’s how Joburg survives

From packed dance floors to sold-out concerts and festival crowds that showed up despite everything, 2025 reminded us that joy is one of this city’s most radical acts. As we reported on events like Fabric’s return to the city and packed live shows across Johannesburg, one thing became clear: joy is not indulgent here, it’s necessary.

In a city that’s fast-paced and constantly under pressure, choosing joy became a form of resistance and a reminder that celebration doesn’t mean denial; it means survival.

What we’re taking into 2026: more dancing, more live music, more moments that make us feel alive.
What we’re leaving behind: guilt about enjoying ourselves.

The inner city is wounded, but not without hope

The challenges facing Joburg’s CBD were impossible to ignore this year, from crumbling buildings to heartbreaking violence. However, alongside that, we shared stories of regeneration, youth development, and community-led solutions.

From youth-focused sports developments, such as the Field of Dreams football field built where once there was neglect, to initiatives like the Babize Bonke campaign, which proved that people (Time Out included) still believe in the city’s core.

2025 showed us that hope in Joburg, although quiet at times, is persistent.

What we’re taking into 2026: belief in small wins and long-term change.
What we’re leaving behind: the narrative that the inner city is beyond saving.

Family and meaningful connections matter more than ever

One of the clearest lifestyle shifts we covered this year was how Joburgers are choosing to spend their time. Our Joy Revolution study this year confirmed what we already felt on the streets: Joburgers are reclaiming their time, trading the hollow 'hustle' for intentional living and connections that actually sustain us.

People want experiences that bring them closer, not schedules that burn them out.

What we’re taking into 2026: intentional time with the people we love.
What we’re leaving behind: overpacked schedules and performative busyness.

Joburgers will always find a way to come together

If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that this city knows how to mobilise. From everyday moments to global stages, Joburgers consistently showed up for one another.

The G20 Summit, hosted in Johannesburg this year, unfolded smoothly, a reminder that the city can operate at a global standard when collaboration and planning align.

At the same time, the G20 Women’s Shutdown against gender-based violence demonstrated a different kind of power. It was one of the year’s clearest examples of how collective action still matters here.

What we’re taking into 2026: solidarity, civic pride, and belief in people's power.
What we’re leaving behind: the assumption that Joburg can’t get big things right.

Joburg taught us, again, that it’s still worth loving

Despite infrastructure strain and economic uncertainty, people continued to invest in Johannesburg, opening new venues, hosting ambitious events, creating culture, and telling better stories about the city.

That’s the thing about Joburg: it doesn’t ask you to love it blindly (you couldn’t if you tried), it asks you to love it honestly.

As we step into 2026, we’re not pretending everything is fixed. But we are carrying forward resilience, creativity, community, and a stubborn belief that this city still has magic left to offer.

And honestly? That feels like more than enough to start the year.

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