insight Jozi News

INSIGHT JOZI NEWS | JUSTICE & DEMOCRACY Justice Must Not Be a Privilege: Madlanga’s Powerful Call for Equal Access to Justice Equal access to justice is more than a constitutional ideal. It is the gateway through which ordinary people must be able to claim their rights, dignity and place in a democratic society. By Noko Maleka Senior Journalist | Insight Jozi News Published: 4 September 2026 Justice is one of the most powerful promises of a democratic society. But that promise means little if ordinary people cannot reach the institutions designed to protect their rights. It is against this backdrop that the message associated with retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga carries particular weight: equal access to justice must be treated as a fundamental part of achieving justice itself. “Equal access to justice is an important portal to the achievement of justice.” — Justice ...

   African Leaders Created the Crisis They Now Condemn By Noko Maleka | InsightJoziNews.org Every time xenophobic violence erupts in South Africa, the script never changes. African leaders rush to microphones. They condemn South Africans. They demand action. They speak of African unity, dignity and brotherhood as though they have spent decades protecting their own citizens. But where was this passion when their people were starving at home? Where was this outrage when corruption hollowed out their economies, when unemployment reached devastating levels, when political instability forced families to flee, and when millions lost hope in the very countries they called home? It is easy to condemn South Africa. It is far more difficult to confront the failures that forced your own citizens to leave. Let me be clear: there is no justification for violence, intimidation or humiliating anyone because they are foreign nationals. Every person deserves to be treated with dignity, ...

By Noko Maleka Johannesburg | 19 July 2026 Three years ago, I wrote an opinion article arguing that South Africa's economic system had become one that systematically deprived black-owned small businesses of opportunities to grow. Sadly, as I write this in 2026, my sentiments remain largely unchanged. The names of governments, ministers and political leaders may change, but for many entrepreneurs in Johannesburg's inner city, the daily struggle remains painfully familiar. Access to finance is limited, procurement processes are often viewed as inaccessible, red tape continues to frustrate innovation, and many promising businesses close their doors before they are given a fair chance to compete. As South Africa prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections, voters are once again presented with an opportunity to decide who will govern our municipalities. These elections will be the first municipal elections held since the formation of the Government of Na...

Noko Maleka | InsightJoziNews.org  Members of the March and March movement marched to the Hillbrow Police Station, where they handed a memorandum to the Station Commander. The protesters called for investigations into allegations of corruption within the station and demanded action against officers they allege are involved in accepting bribes from undocumented immigrants and individuals linked to drug trafficking. InsightJoziNews.org was on the ground bringing you the latest developments as they unfolded. 📍 Follow InsightJoziNews.org for credible community news from Johannesburg and beyond. #InsightJoziNews #Hillbrow #Johannesburg #SAPS #MarchAndMarch #CommunityNews #Crime #AntiCorruption #InnerCity #SouthAfrica #NewsAlert #BreakingNews #NokoMaleka

By Noko Maleka | InsightJoziNews.org There was more than just fashion on display at Ponte City (Vodacom Building), Hillbrow . There was hope, purpose, creativity and a powerful reminder that when communities invest in children, extraordinary things happen. The Second Annual Dlala Nje Recycling Fashion Show transformed waste into works of art as 45 young designers, aged between 5 and 13 years , confidently walked the runway wearing outfits they had personally created from recyclable materials. Newspapers, plastic, cardboard and other discarded items were creatively redesigned into breathtaking fashion pieces, proving that imagination has no limits. The event was more than a competition—it was a celebration of young talent, environmental responsibility and community development. Throughout the day, parents, teachers, judges and guests watched in amazement as the children proudly showcased their designs. Every stitch, every...

By Noko Maleka | InsightJoziNews.org Last night's screening of "Tenement Hell: Home Hillbrow" on eNCA was more than compelling television—it was an important national conversation about one of Johannesburg's most misunderstood suburbs. The documentary paints a raw, honest and thought-provoking picture of Hillbrow, exposing both its painful realities and the resilience of the people who continue to call it home. For many South Africans, Hillbrow has become synonymous with crime, hijacked buildings, overcrowding and urban decay. However, this documentary challenges viewers to look beyond those stereotypes and recognise that Hillbrow is also home to hardworking families, business owners, security personnel, community activists and people who refuse to give up on the inner city. Among the prominent voices featured was Helen Zille , who herself grew up in Hillbrow. Her reflections reminded viewers that Hillbrow was once one of Johannesburg's most vibra...

Dada Morero’s “82% Success” Claim: Progress or Political Spin? By Noko Maleka | Insight Jozi News Dada Morero has painted an optimistic picture of the City of Johannesburg during his 2026 State of the City Address (SOCA), claiming that his administration has achieved an “82% success rate” in delivering on its commitments to residents. The speech, delivered as Johannesburg battles infrastructure collapse, financial instability, water shortages, crime, and service delivery complaints, has sparked debate across the city. The big question remains: Do residents actually feel this 82% success? According to Morero, the city has made progress in infrastructure rehabilitation, road upgrades, township development, economic revitalisation, and improving internal governance systems. He highlighted projects such as the rebuilding of key roads, stormwater upgrades, accelerated service delivery programmes, and preparations linked to Johannesburg’s role in hosting global events such as the G20-r...

  The Forgotten Orphans of Hillbrow A Story I Could Not Ignore By Noko Maleka | Insight Jozi News In the heart of Hillbrow, one of Johannesburg’s busiest and most misunderstood neighbourhoods, I encountered a story that changed the way I look at the word orphan. As a journalist and founder of Insight Jozi News, I spend most of my time telling the stories of Johannesburg and its people. But sometimes a story stops being something you simply report on — and becomes something you feel responsible for. That is what happened when I came to know the children of Malaika Orphanage. These children, known in the community as the Malaika kids, live in a privately run home that relies largely on the kindness of ordinary people. Spending time with them left me with a question I still struggle to answer: Why are some orphans fully supported by the system while others survive only through community compassion? Some of the children I met were born to undocumented migrants who later disappeared or ...