Taryn Cohn is a visual art project consultant and cultural communications specialist. What that really means is that she does everything from making coffee to managing budgets and geniuses – all in the name of arts and culture. She believes that Johannesburg is a true reflection of where we are heading as a country. She grew up in Johannesburg but hated it. “Then Joburg grew up and after spending time in the Cape, the Free State and overseas I decided that this was the place that resonated with my ambitions to live an engaged life.” She agrees that the city is about the people, not only those that grew up here, but by those who move here. “Joburg is willing to give anyone a chance - anyone who gives it a chance. The city doesn’t judge people. It’s not easy but it’s open. And if you think there is nothing to do – you are asking the wrong people.”
Her other favourite cities are Singapore, London and Maputo.
Taryn’s route between the airport and the city is one that pretty much covers all faces of the city. Come off at Linksfield Road, slip through the ‘burbs, cross Louis Botha (and if I have time pop into the junk shops for a second hand furniture find) and then weave through Norwood, past Grant Avenue and down 11th Avenue into Rosebank.
Follow Taryn around Johannesburg… On a Friday morning I start the day in the studios of Radio Today, across the road from my home in the Garden Shop Nursery, where my sister and I hog the (local) airwaves for two hours and get to meet all manner of guest from numerologists to authors – never a dull moment. If we have a moment we grab a post-show breakfast at Twigs where you can pretend that you are in the lush garden of some country manor. Usually, I make the mistake of heading to the Oriental Plaza for a list of chores (looking for random habedasershy or getting my shoes fixed) on a Friday at 12 – when everything is closed – I am forced to grab a coconut Samoosa at Just Samoosas while I wait. Friday post work (on a good weekend) will start with a drink at the Zoo Lake Bowling Club (R5 for a glass of wine – seriously) or if we have our party rags on, dancing on the tables at Roseboys. Saturday mornings obviously start late, with a lunch at Moemas in Parktown Quarter (if you can get a table), or Full Stop Cafe in Parkhurst and a browse around the Jozi Food Market. If I have nothing better to do, I head to Rosebank Mall for a movie at Cinema Nouveau. Sundays need to be slower so if it’s a good day we head to the Zoo Lake for a picnic and newspaper reading session. We end off the weekend at the Velskoen drive in where I inevitably fall asleep during the second feature. Of course if I stay home, I grab the most divine goulash soup from my local, Parker’s Grill, where they deliver right to my door!”
