The Jozi My Jozi Walks 2025 Awards – was a day of celebration and reflection, with a touch of friendly competition. The event kicked off with a debrief and presentations from 11 of the 15 walk hosts, setting the stage for the judges’ deliberations and the big reveal: this year’s overall winner, who took home R10,000.
'In an interview with Douglas Cohen, now based in Liverpool, he summed it up: “Walking, talking, and connecting in public spaces enables an emotional connection to a place.” And really, that’s what Jozi My Jozi Walks is all about – swapping your car keys for comfy shoes and falling in love with Johannesburg all over again.'
Why Jozi My Jozi Walks matters
one of a series of 15 Jozi My Jozi Walks. Photo: Craig Adams.
At its heart, Jozi My Jozi Walks is about rediscovering Johannesburg, one footstep at a time. The concept first hit the streets in 2017 as Jozi Walks, thanks to urban planner Douglas Cohen, who was then based at the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA). The series was inspired by Jane’s Walk – a global movement of citizen-led walking conversations honouring urbanist Jane Jacobs (Read more about the origins of Jozi My Jozi Walks here). The idea was simple but powerful: give Joburgers the chance to explore their city on foot, guided by the people who know it best. Free, community-driven, and bursting with heart, Jozi Walks quickly became a celebration of the neighbourhood stories that make Joburg hum.
After a four-year hiatus (Covid-induced), Jozi Walks returned in 2025 as Jozi My Jozi Walks, proudly led by Jozi My Jozi in collaboration with Johannesburg In Your Pocket and Gauteng Tourism. The project was supported by the incredible efforts of volunteer photographers from Joburg Photowalkers, led by Mark Straw.
Held to coincide with World Tourism Day, the walks shine a light on the everyday storytellers who make Joburg tick – from artists and entrepreneurs to lifelong residents with tales you won’t find in any guidebook.
For us at Johannesburg In Your Pocket, getting involved was a no-brainer. This project speaks to everything we love: celebrating Joburg’s creativity, championing new tourism voices, and helping paint a brighter, more positive picture of the city we call home. These walks also challenge the myth that “Joburg isn’t walkable”, proving instead that it’s a city best understood on foot – through conversation, curiosity, and connection.
In an interview with Douglas Cohen, now based in Liverpool, he summed it up: “Walking, talking, and connecting in public spaces enables an emotional connection to a place.” And really, that’s what Jozi My Jozi Walks is all about – swapping your car keys for comfy shoes and falling in love with Johannesburg all over again.
Strides of connection: #JoziMyJoziWalks 2025 successes
If the Jozi My Jozi Walks 2025 presentations proved anything, it’s that Joburg’s heartbeat is in its streets and in the people who walk them. From heartfelt interactions and personal stories shared by locals to historical insights from tour participants, the walks offered insightful exchanges of knowledge. They weren’t just about sightseeing; the walks boosted local businesses, showcased entrepreneurial spirit (from Melville’s oldest B&B to the Alex Safe Hub, the traditional market Kwa Mai Mai, to Kensington's oldest bowls club), and proved that food is a universal connector, whether it’s Ethiopian coffee and popcorn, South Asian parathas, or a local kota. Immersive experiences like music, art, and food workshops sparked curiosity and even new friendships among strangers. Best of all, Joburgers got to see their own neighbourhoods in a fresh light, breaking down misconceptions and revealing stories that even lifelong residents hadn’t noticed before. In short, the presentations reflected the success of the walks – a celebration of community, creativity, and connection, all woven together by the simple act of walking and talking through the city we love.
Jozi My Jozi Walks 2025 winner: Tebogo Mabye
The winner of the 2025 Jozi My Jozi Walks award was Tebogo Mabye for his memorable Hillbrewed Walking Tour held on Sat, Sep 27, 2025. Mabye, a model, a martial arts enthusiast, and talented chef who took part in MasterChef South Africa 2024, led participants through the Hillbrow of his childhood – a neighbourhood with a fearsome reputation (for many years, Hillbrow was known as the place where people threw appliances from balconies to celebrate the new year. Thankfully, that tradition has faded from practice. Along the way, he shared personal stories and spoke about the positive impact of MES, an organisation that supports adults at risk – a cause close to his heart. His enthusiasm and positive memories of growing up in the space added a touch of magic to the worn-down streets on the day, along with his famous Woza Woza chicken cooked up by Chef Pinky, a visit to the Windybrow Arts Centre hosted by theatre maker Gerard Bester, to the Johannesburg Art Gallery, and a lively flash mob at Joubert Park. The experience captured the spirit of Hillbrow, something that only a true insider could share.
The future of Jozi My Jozi Walks
Photo: Ravi Kale
Looking ahead, the future of Jozi My Jozi Walks is bright. This year’s walk hosts will have the chance to build on what they started, with support from Jozi My Jozi through courses and accreditation to become official tour guides, should they opt for that – ready to show off the city like true ambassadors.
Keep your walking shoes handy, because #JoziMyJoziWalks are already scheduled to mark World Tourism Day 2026! Look out for announcements on the Jozi My Jozi and Johannesburg In Your Pocket social media pages.
As Jozi My Jozi COO, Dawn Robertson shared, “This is not the end of the walks, but just the beginning.”
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