Local civic initiative Jozi My Jozi has extended an open invitation to all Johannesburg residents—from professional photographers to smartphone enthusiasts—to join 24 Hour Jozi on Saturday, 3 October 2026.
Forming part of the international 24HourProject, the annual global challenge tasks participants from around the world with capturing and sharing one photograph every hour from midnight to midnight ($00\text{h}00$ to $23\text{h}59$) local time.
Now in its 15th year, the global initiative supports Action Against Hunger, bringing together thousands of storytellers across 96 countries to document a single day in global city life.
A City Seen From Thousands of Local Perspectives
Moving beyond last year’s pilot team of 20 photographers who traversed Soweto, the Joburg Market, Yeoville, and Constitution Hill, the 2026 edition opens the canvas to the entire municipality.
Participants are invited to capture the authentic pulse of the city—from the first morning taxi leaving the rank and vibrant street markets to neighborhood acts of kindness and midnight nightlife.
“Jozi is too often described by people looking at it from the outside,” says Dawn Robertson, Jozi My Jozi visitor and creative economy catalyst. “This project puts the camera in the hands of the people who live here and experience all aspects of our colourful, creative and sometimes crazy city on a daily basis. Every photograph posted on Saturday is an act of advocacy for this city.”
Guided Photo Walk Routes Across the City
For those seeking structured routes, curated crews in partnership with Joburg Photowalkers, Film My Soul, Market Photo Workshop, and Soweto Community Photowalk will explore key cultural hubs:
- 09h00 – 13h00:
- Fordsburg: Led by Ishvara Dhyan through spice markets, mosques, and culinary stalls.
- Marshalltown: Tracing Johannesburg’s gold-rush origin story with Charlie Moyo of Local Places.
- Jeppestown: Exploring the “Ethiopian Quarter” with urban planner and author Dr. Tanya Zack.
- 13h00 – 18h00:
- Braamfontein: Street fashion, murals, and urban culture with City Skate Tours.
- Hillbrow to Ponte Tower: Dlala Nje leads a walk ending at the iconic Ponte Tower at sunset.
- Maboneng to Kwa Mai Mai: Curiocity bridges modern warehouse conversions with traditional Zulu medicinal markets.
- Full 24-Hour Documentary: A curated documentary team will capture Soweto continuously from midnight on 2 October to midnight on 3 October.
How to Participate & Posting Guidelines
Registration is free on the official 24HourProject website, with optional donations going to Action Against Hunger.
When posting hourly images on Saturday, 3 October, participants must include:
- Tags:
@24HourProjectand@jozi_my_jozi - Hashtag:
#24HourJozi - Caption Details: Time of photo, Johannesburg location, photographer credit, and a brief description of the moment.
Future Exhibition at Market Photo Workshop
Following the event, Jozi My Jozi will aggregate the city’s uploads and select 24 flagship images representing a complete 24-hour cycle in Johannesburg. The selected works will be featured in a public online gallery and showcased in a physical exhibition at the Market Photo Workshop in early 2027.
Organizers remind participants to practice safe group photography, respect individual dignity, and obtain consent where necessary.
For full route maps and registration steps, visit jozimyjozi.com.