Johannesburg has always been a city of voices, bold, expressive, layered, and full of character. And this week, as South Africa welcomes global leaders and thousands of visitors for the 2025 G20 Summit, Joburg unveiled a brand-new voice of its own. One that speaks multiple languages, carries an unmistakable Jozi attitude, and knows the streets better than most locals. Meet Jo, the witty, street-smart digital guide behind JHB In Your Pocket GPT, Africa’s first locally tuned digital tourism companion built specifically for Johannesburg.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Jo arrives at exactly the right moment. With Gauteng preparing for one of its biggest international events, the province needs a guide that understands the heartbeat of the city, its culture, chaos, opportunity, and charm. Jo isn’t a stiff chatbot or generic information desk. It’s a personality designed to walk visitors and locals through Joburg’s coolest corners, niche cultural experiences, and hidden gems that often go unnoticed.
“I connect the phone in your hand to the living, breathing city around you,” Jo declares on its welcome page.
That single line encapsulates the mission: bridging the gap between screen and street, imagination and reality, curiosity and discovery.
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Jo Steps Into the Spotlight as Joburg Welcomes the World
With G20 arrivals pouring into OR Tambo International Airport this week, Jo stands at the arrivals hall — ready to meet the world. Through a partnership with Big Five Duty Free, travellers can start engaging with Jo the moment they step off the plane.
From practical questions to culturally rooted curiosity, Jo responds instantly:
- What’s the safest way to get to Maboneng tonight?
- Where can I find halaal-friendly restaurants near Sandton?
- Which museum best tells Joburg’s story?
- How much should I tip a car guard?
For Laurice Taitz-Buntman, founder of the Johannesburg In Your Pocket city guide, Jo represents years of editorial work and cultural knowledge transformed into something interactive and future-facing.
“One screenshot, and Jo takes you further, giving you access to information beyond the printed page.”
Her printed guide, created with Nando’s and Jozi My Jozi, is now available in hotels and tourism hotspots. The digital guide expands this content into a living map powered by the distinct cultural heartbeat of the city at jhbinyourpocketgpt.com.
A New City Champion: Jo Earns a Spot Among Joburg’s Local Heroes
Jo didn’t just launch; it debuted with recognition. Jozi My Jozi’s Babize Bonke campaign, known for celebrating Joburg’s unseen community champions, officially named Jo as its ninth honouree. It’s a gesture that positions Jo not as technology replacing people, but as technology amplifying them.
Dawn Robertson, visitor and creative economy catalyst at Jozi My Jozi, says Jo fits seamlessly into the campaign’s purpose.
“Jo gives Joburg’s tourism sector a voice,” Robertson explains.
“During the launch, we walked from Main Street precinct to Sadie’s Bistro where guests could interact with Jo and learn about the area. It builds excitement as we prepare for the Main Street Sundays Open Streets event on 14 December.”
That event will transform the precinct into a car-free cultural playground, exactly the kind of vibrant, layered city experience Jo is built to guide people through.
A Guide With Attitude: Jo Speaks Joburg Like a Local
Jo isn’t generic; it reflects Joburg’s humour, rhythm, multiple languages, and lived experiences. It feels as comfortable recommending a shisa nyama in the south as it does explaining why the hum of a tuk-tuk in Orlando West says something about the city’s resilience.
Mbali Njomane, the creative who helped shape Jo, believes the guide’s strength lies in how deeply it connects to people.
“In cities like Joburg, it’s not about technology, it’s about belonging,” she says.
“When you talk to the city in your own language and your own context, you’re not just consuming information, you’re helping shape what the city becomes.”
In a city built on stories, Jo brings meaning to spaces that visitors may simply walk past. And for locals, often overlooked in tourism narratives, Jo offers a fresh way to fall in love with their city again.
Why Jo Arrives at a Critical Moment for Gauteng Tourism
Gauteng’s tourism sector has been rebuilding, but competition among global cities is fierce. Today’s travellers expect tailored, instant, context-rich information. Cities that can’t meet those expectations risk losing visitors and revenue.
Jo positions Johannesburg ahead of the curve by acting as:
- A cultural translator who contextualises local experiences
- A safety companion offering real-time navigation tips
- A storyteller who deepens understanding of attractions
- A promoter of small businesses and neighbourhood gems
- A connector linking tourists, locals, and the city’s urban fabric
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Joburger exploring new ground, Jo becomes a companion who knows where to go, why it matters, and how to get there safely and efficiently.
Bringing Jo to the Arrivals Hall: The Big Five Duty Free Partnership
For Helena Melis, marketing manager at Big Five Duty Free, showcasing Jo at OR Tambo was a natural fit.
“By showcasing this custom guide at OR Tambo, we’re helping introduce Jo to foreign travellers and South Africans alike,” Melis says.
“We want people to use it during their stay in our beautiful city.”
This partnership transforms Jo into more than a digital tool; it becomes part of Joburg’s welcome experience.
The New Joburg Journey Begins With One Simple Greeting
Johannesburg is reimagining how visitors and locals interact with the city. With Jo leading this shift, Joburg’s stories feel closer, its creative energy more tangible, and its tourism future more inclusive.
A QR scan, a quick tap, or a visit to jhbinyourpocketgpt.com is all it takes. Say hello, ask a question, explore a neighbourhood. Jo brings Joburg’s flavour, history, and personality straight to your phone.
Ready to Explore Joburg Like a Local?
Start your journey with Jo today. Whether you’re planning a day out, rediscovering your city, or helping visitors settle in, Jo puts Joburg’s stories, flavours, and hidden gems at your fingertips.
Go to jhbinyourpocketgpt.com and let Jo guide you through the city in true Jozi style.
