Sunday, 9 August 2026

Women’s Day was framed around urgent action on gender-based violence, with calls for safety, health and economic opportunities alongside reminders that the country still faces high levels of violence against women.

Main Street Sundays drew crowds into Marshalltown with free Houtrain shuttles, a closed street, food and live music, as part of a campaign to “reclaim” and revive Johannesburg’s inner city.

The event’s main attraction was Joe, an AI city guide for Johannesburg built to help locals and visitors find things to do, vet trusted places and promote small businesses through event links and local content.

Stallholders showcased local enterprise, including Soul Art’s designed bags and a branding company’s canvas prints, while organisers said the open-street format is meant to expose visitors to inner-city businesses and creatives.

The show also reflected the day’s celebratory mood with repeated dedications to women, birthday shout-outs and the promise of a Slow Jams mix to carry the afternoon.