Can Johannesburg reclaim 'hijacked' buildings? episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 10, 2025 · 32 MIN

Can Johannesburg reclaim 'hijacked' buildings?

from Focus on Africa · host BBC World Service

The South African city of Johannesburg has well over 100 abandoned and derelict buildings plagued by rubbish and open sewage and some have been taken over by criminal gangs. Many are also home to some of the city's most vulnerable residents. As Johannesburg gears up to host leaders from the world's major economies for the G20 summit, what is being done to address the issue of 'hijacked' buildings? BBC Africa Eye has been there to investigate, and we hear more from their reporter. For nearly five years, Burundians have endured crippling shortages of fuel, electricity, and clean water. What is behind the triple crisis that is paralysing most of the country?And why have protesters targeted the new multi-million dollar Museum of West African Art in Nigeria, forcing organisers to cancel preview events ahead of its grand opening.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Todah Opeyemi in Lagos. Mark Wilberforce, Sunita Nahar, and Alfonso Daniels in London Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Nov 10, 2025

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