Jozi is cool, says GQ mag
09 February 2016
Johannesburg has received yet another international accolade – this time it has been voted the coolest city south of the Equator by a top United Kingdom magazine.
The London-based GQ magazine, which boasts a monthly readership of 1.2 million, says although there are many “cool cities” south of the Equator ripe for one’s travel considerations, Johannesburg is at the moment the best place to visit.
GQ fashion editor Nick Carvell asserts that although Johannesburg might not boast white sands and pristine beaches, it can hold its head high as it has “a clever way” of making up for a loss of nature’s endowments.
“Though South Africa’s first city lacks in beaches, it more than makes up for with a seriously buzzing urban landscape packed with superb bars, inventive restaurants, cool hotels and one of the world’s most exciting theatre, art and music scenes – not to mention safari just outside if you want get some time with the country’s most recognisable furry residents,” writes Carvell.
GQ’s glowing write-up comes hot on the heels of the city winning the prestigious C40 Cities Award during the COP21 summit in Paris, France, in December 2015 for tackling climate change through its successful Green Bond initiative. The city won the award in the Finance and Economic Development category.
In September 2015, the Global Financial Centres Index ranked it the No 1 city in Africa and 33rd most economically powerful metropolis in the world based on business environment, financial sector development, infrastructure, human capital and reputational and general factors.
In the same month, it was presented with the 2015 Arbour City Award by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Durban during South Africa’s National Arbour Week celebrations, beating Cape Town, eThekwini and Tshwane. Johannesburg ranks 12th out of 25 destinations on the 2015 Africa list in TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Destination Award and is the only South African city to have made it onto Travel and Leisure’s 50 standout destinations in 2015.
Joburg’s Maboneng Precinct was named one of the World’s Coolest New Tourist Attractions in 2015 by Travelandleisure.com, while the city walked away with the Rough Guide’s No 1 position as the top city to visit in 2015.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development Cllr Ruby Mathang said the numerous international and local awards that had come Joburg’s way were the real returns of the City’s investment in infrastructure and world-class facilities.
“Another aspect that never gets mentioned is the human element. Every resident of Johannesburg must know that they are the city’s tourism ambassadors. Not only has tourism created job opportunities in the City and nationally, but it has also surpassed mining as the key generator of revenue for the fiscus,” said MMC Mathang.
The MMC added that tourism was a powerful transformative tool as it contributed to job creation, growth and economic development and growth. He said it also impacted positively on the entire tourism, leisure and hospitality value chain.