Visiting Ponte City: a local’s guide
2026-10-31
What Ponte City is, how to get inside, where the tour starts and how to plan your visit.
Stories and tips from Ponte
Tips for visiting Johannesburg, and stories from Ponte City, the round tower in Berea with a hollow core. Built in 1975, it is one of the tallest residential buildings in Africa, so you can spot it from across Joburg. City and Hillbrow, from the team who live and work here. New here? Read our story, guest reviews or before you book.
Latest posts
Guides to visiting Johannesburg
Is Hillbrow safe to visit? An answer from locals
2026-10-31
An honest answer from guides who grew up there, with guest reviews and tips for getting to Ponte City.
In the press
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Daily MaverickA walk through Hillbrow, the chaotic, rekindled heart of Joburg
2025
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africanewsS.A: Landmark Joburg skyscraper restoring image over a decade after facelift
2023
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The New York Times36 Hours in Johannesburg
2023
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Der SpiegelIn GermanSouth Africa’s “Hell Tower” becomes a tourist attraction
2020
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Trending TopicsIn German
How a startup turned the “tower of evil” into a tower of hope
2018
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The EconomistSubscription neededThe revival of Ponte is a potent symbol of Johannesburg’s renewal
2018
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Oxford AmericanFlat with a view
2018
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The IndependentHow to visit Johannesburg’s most notorious towerblock
2018
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The Globe and MailSouth Africa’s notorious Ponte tower becomes symbol of urban revitalization
2015
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CrikeySubscription needed
Follow Friday: @DlalaNje, changing perceptions in Joburg
2014
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The TimesThe high life in Hillbrow
2013
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Newsletters and reports
Dlala Nje newsletter: July 2026
2026-07-28
285 tour guests, 30 rugby fans at Ellis Park, Mandela Day meals, recycled fashion, a new art exhibition at 5101 and our new Maboneng tour.
Dlala Nje newsletter: June 2026
2026-06-27
Another Ponte Challenge, 200+ tour guests, the Dlala Vision Builders launch, a new sewing group and a tribute to Abdullah Ibrahim.
Dlala Nje newsletter: May 2026
2026-05-28
370 visitors, an engagement at 5101, Joburg mayoral candidates on our Hillbrow tour, a new sewing group and the start of our Cape Town plans.
Dlala Nje Foundation annual report 2025
2026-04-30
Headline facts from our 2025 annual report: 250 registered children, 97% visitor satisfaction, R2.5 million income and two responsible tourism awards. Download the PDF.
Dlala Nje newsletter: March 2026
2026-03-28
More than 350 runners on the Ponte Challenge, 450+ tour guests, parties at 5101, teddy bears for young cancer patients and a visit from Ponte’s architect.
Dlala Nje newsletter: February 2026
2026-02-27
Our first Soweto Derby of 2026, more than 270 people on our walking tours, a shoe donation, a parents’ evening and the Dlala Scouts.
Dlala Nje newsletter: January 2026
2026-01-28
Kids back at the community centres, more than 100 people on our walking tours, and the Soweto Derby and Ponte Challenge dates for early 2026.
Dlala Nje Foundation annual report 2024
2025-08-04
Headline facts from our 2024 annual report: 2,700+ visitors, 96% visitor satisfaction, 85% of tour revenue reinvested and a new Scouts group. Download the PDF.
See all newsletters or all annual reports.
Case studies and news
Dlala Nje Wins Silver at Global Responsible Tourism Awards in London
2025-11-04
Dlala Nje’s inspiring story of sustainable transformation and youth empowerment through tourism recognised on the world stage with a silver for responsible tourism at the International Centre for Responsible Tourism awards in London. We now set our sights on Cape Town.
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