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Launched in 2017, the aim of Jozi Walks is to give a voice to the people who live in the city’s communities and present a personal take on the culture, social history, and development of the city’s different neighbourhoods. Jozi Walks is also a way to get Joburgers out onto the streets to walk and engage with their neighbours and the local community, and to enable people on the walks to discover and share insights and ideas about the sometimes unfamiliar neighbourhoods they're exploring.
We're thrilled that Jozi Walks is relaunching in 2025, now as JoziMyJoziWalks – led by Jozi My Jozi in collaboration with Johannesburg In Your Pocket. Proposals for the 2025 edition must be submitted by Mon, Aug 18, 2025. Fill out the application form here. A total of 12 successful applicants will be selected, who will each receive an amount sponsoring the organisation of the experience. Find all the details below.
Why Jozi Walks?
The idea for Jozi Walks came from Douglas Cohen, former executive manager of planning and strategy at the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA). Inspired by Jane’s Walk (named after American-Canadian journalist and urban community activist, Jane Jacobs) – a movement of free, citizen-led walking conversations – Cohen wanted to do something similar in Johannesburg.
First editions
Jozi Walks was initiated in May 2017 by the JDA. The inaugural edition was supported by Joburg Photowalkers, Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, and Johannesburg In Your Pocket. A call for proposals was issued, inviting entrants to conceptualise and pitch a tour of their neighbourhood. Thirteen walking tours made it through and, over the space of two days, they set off across Joburg.
Among these, Sifiso ka Silas Ntuli (aka The Roving Bantu) led a historical and cultural trek through the western Joburg suburbs of Brixton and Fietas; Sanza Sandile of the Yeoville Dinner Club offered up a culinary adventure through pan-African Yeoville's Rockey Street; and filmmaker Lucky Nkali of Black Bite Productions championed inspirational community projects on his walk around Diepsloot.
The first edition of Jozi Walks was a resounding success, and the project continued for the next three years. 2018 highlights included Dr Myer Taub’s theatrical treasure hunt through Orange Grove, Norwood, Orchards, and James and Ethel Gray Park, while the late Andrew Lindsay, founder of Spaza Art Gallery, gave participants the opportunity to join in a large-scale installation project while exploring the parallel communities of Troyeville, Ellis Park, Bertrams, and Doornfontein.
As part of Jozi Walks in 2019, Bridge Books founder Griffin Shea hosted his popular walking tour of what’s come to be known as Johannesburg’s Literary District between Fox and Albertina Sisulu Streets in the City Centre. This evolved into the regular Underground Booksellers tour that is still offered today – exploring Joburg’s informal booksellers in the city.
Relaunching JoziMyJoziWalks in 2025
After a four-year hiatus, we are delighted to welcome the return of Jozi Walks – this time led by Jozi My Jozi in partnership with Johannesburg In Your Pocket.Call to entries: Conditions to host a JoziMyJoziWalks
The 2025 iteration of JoziMyJoziWalks is a chance to present and showcase your personal take on the culture, social history, and development of a Joburg neighbourhood you know well. It is a platform to kick-start a conversation about present challenges and to celebrate local achievements and future opportunities that will positively impact the wider community. Beyond that, here are some guidelines:
1. The walks should be designed as a route, taking between one to three hours to complete (and held on both Saturday and Sunday if possible).
2. Walks must combine elements of local culture, social history, and encounters with people who form part of the local neighbourhood.
3. The focus must be on authenticity and vibrancy of experiences, ideally around a specific theme – for example, food, art, music, fashion, drama, etc.
4. The walk must take place in one of the following areas: Joburg Inner City including Newtown and Maboneng, Orange Grove, Yeoville, Melville, Brixton, Fordsburg, Kensington, Chinatown Cyrildene, Lorentzville, Troyeville, Soweto, and Alexandra.
5. The walk must be hosted responsibly; this includes securing the consent of the local community.
6. The walk should incorporate local community suppliers to provide any services required during the walk – for example, beverages, security, transport, catering, entertainment, etc.
7. The walk must be documented, and a portfolio of evidence (in the form of audio, video, and images) of the walk must be submitted.
What are we looking for?
The walking tour you design can be as innovative or unusual as your heart desires, provided it checks the following boxes. We are seeking JoziMyJoziWalks that:
1. Celebrate the real Joburg, the stories of places and people, and the spirit of the city.
2. Foster community connection.
3. Offer insights into what makes a neighbourhood work.
Proposal submissions now open!
Submissions are open for the next edition of JoziMyJoziWalks. To be considered, you will need to complete this application form and submit your proposal by Mon, Aug 18, 2025.A total of 12 successful applicants will be selected and informed by Thu, Aug 21, 2025 and will be expected to attend a series of workshop and briefing sessions in August and September. Walking tour hosts will receive an amount sponsoring the organisation of the experience.
Save the date
JoziMyJoziWalks 2025 will take place on the weekend of Sat, Sep 27 and Sun, Sep 28, 2025. More details will be announced in the weeks to come. To stay in the loop, follow @johannesburginyourpocket and @jozi_my_jozi on Instagram.
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