WeeklySA_AdminSPIRIT: Thousands of Joburgers filled Johannesburg’s streets for the biggest 702 Jozi My Jozi Walk the Talk yet, celebrating community spirit and a shared vision for the city’s renewal…
By Jacob Mawela
Thousands of people of all ages – from babies in prams to seasoned walkers – filled the streets of Johannesburg on Sunday, 26 July, for the annual 702 Jozi My Jozi Walk the Talk, transforming the inner city into a vibrant celebration of community, health and civic pride.
Participants converged on the Emirates Ellis Park Stadium in Doornfontein before sunrise to take part in the 5km, 8km and 15km routes. Walkers travelled from park-and-ride facilities across Gauteng, with each event beginning on a patriotic note as thousands joined together to sing the national anthem.
Now staged for more than 20 years, organisers described the 2026 edition as the largest in the event’s history. According to Primedia Broadcasting, the walk created more than 6 000 jobs and required an extensive logistical operation involving more than 800 security personnel, 138 road closures, portable sanitation facilities and numerous water stations along the routes.
Johannesburg Metro Police officers managed traffic at key intersections, while buses, Gautrain services and specially arranged Metrorail trains transported participants to and from the event. The Sunday rail service, which normally does not operate, was introduced specifically to accommodate the large number of walkers.
This year’s event also carried a broader social purpose. Primedia Broadcasting partnered with Jozi My Jozi, a non-profit citizen movement established in 2023 to unite business leaders, residents and civil society around restoring cleanliness, safety and pride in Johannesburg.
Ahead of the event, participants and businesses were encouraged to support initiatives aimed at assisting homeless people through rehabilitation voucher programmes. However, the continued visibility of homeless residents along several routes highlighted the scale of the challenge still facing the city.
Beyond its social objectives, the walk gave many participants—particularly those who seldom visit the inner city—an opportunity to experience Johannesburg’s rich architectural and historical landmarks.
The routes passed iconic sites including Constitution Hill, Nelson Mandela Bridge, City Hall and Newtown, providing countless opportunities for photographs while showcasing the city’s heritage during its 140th anniversary celebrations.
Entertainment added to the festive atmosphere throughout the morning. Live musicians, performers dressed in vintage attire and classic vehicles from the James Hall Transport Museum entertained walkers along the route, with many participants enthusiastically joining impromptu performances.
Families featured prominently, with children walking alongside their parents over the longer distances while others were pushed in prams. Well-known Talk Radio 702 personalities, including Bongani Bingwa and Nothemba Madumo, were also among the participants.
Finishers received commemorative medals at Emirates Ellis Park Stadium before making their way to the hospitality village at the neighbouring Johannesburg Athletics Stadium, where refreshments, networking opportunities and live entertainment awaited. Event sponsor Polar Ice Cream handed complimentary ice cream to every participant crossing the finish line.
City of Johannesburg Deputy Mayor Councillor Loyiso Masuku, accompanied by MMC for Community Development Thapelo Amad, thanked organisers, sponsors and participants for contributing to what she described as a successful showcase of Johannesburg’s resilience and spirit.
Organisers said the event also demonstrated strong private-sector confidence in the city’s future, with three of South Africa’s major banks supporting the initiative and all 162 hospitality sites selling out well before race day.
“The 2026 edition of Walk the Talk was a powerful testament to the spirit of social cohesion and collective purpose that defines Johannesburg,” said Primedia Broadcasting Head of Events Keitumetse Madisha.
Appropriately themed around the slogan Babize Bonke (“Gather Them All”), the event succeeded in bringing together thousands of people from different backgrounds in a collective celebration of one city and a shared vision for its future.
