IN CONVERSATION WITH Grant Ngcobo CEO of Dlala Nje
Loading player...
At just 26 years old, Grant Ngcobo has already made a remarkable impact on
Johannesburg’s inner city. Born and raised in Ponte City Apartments, Ngcobo
first encountered Dlala Nje, the social enterprise that runs a community centre
in the heart of Hillbrow, at the age of 14. From a participant to a tour guide in
2016, he has now risen to become the organisation’s CEO, leading a movement
that is redefining how the city’s toughest neighbourhoods are seen — both
locally and internationally.
Under Ngcobo’s leadership, Dlala Nje has grown far beyond its popular walking
tours. Operating from the 51st floor of Ponte, the organisation now runs two
community centres and a skills development hub in Hillbrow, serving hundreds
of children and youth each day. The centres provide safe spaces where kids can
learn, play, and develop, while also creating opportunities for creative and
economic growth in the community.
The organisation’s work has been recognised globally. In 2025, Dlala Nje won
the Silver award at the Global Responsible Tourism Awards in London, for its
outstanding efforts in increasing local sourcing and creating shared value. This
accolade follows its Gold award at the WTM Africa Awards, cementing the
organisation’s reputation as a model for responsible and community-focused
tourism.
Ngcobo’s personal story mirrors the transformation he champions. Ponte City,
once a symbol of neglect and urban decay, has undergone a remarkable
turnaround. In the late 1990s, it was hijacked, dark, and unsafe. Today, it is a
vibrant, well-managed building housing nearly 2,000 residents, with Dlala Nje at
its heart, offering walking tours, youth programmes, a foundation phase school,
and community workshops. The building itself has become a living classroom,
with murals, mosaics, and urban gardens created by the local community.
“I’m proud that we provide a daily safe space for more than 200 children,”
Ngcobo says. “Our tours not only generate funding for community programmes
but also allow people to experience Hillbrow and Berea through the eyes of the
residents, challenging stereotypes and showing the resilience of our
community.”
In addition to his work with Dlala Nje, Ngcobo has been recognised as one of
the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans in 2025 for his contributions
to youth development and community empowerment. As a champion of the
Babize Bonke campaign — which invites people to experience Johannesburg’s
revival through its creative citizens — Ngcobo continues to inspire a new
generation to see the city differently.
From the heart of Hillbrow to the global stage, Grant Ngcobo and Dlala Nje are
proof that social enterprise, creativity, and community leadership can transform
both perceptions and realities, one tour at a time.
Johannesburg’s inner city. Born and raised in Ponte City Apartments, Ngcobo
first encountered Dlala Nje, the social enterprise that runs a community centre
in the heart of Hillbrow, at the age of 14. From a participant to a tour guide in
2016, he has now risen to become the organisation’s CEO, leading a movement
that is redefining how the city’s toughest neighbourhoods are seen — both
locally and internationally.
Under Ngcobo’s leadership, Dlala Nje has grown far beyond its popular walking
tours. Operating from the 51st floor of Ponte, the organisation now runs two
community centres and a skills development hub in Hillbrow, serving hundreds
of children and youth each day. The centres provide safe spaces where kids can
learn, play, and develop, while also creating opportunities for creative and
economic growth in the community.
The organisation’s work has been recognised globally. In 2025, Dlala Nje won
the Silver award at the Global Responsible Tourism Awards in London, for its
outstanding efforts in increasing local sourcing and creating shared value. This
accolade follows its Gold award at the WTM Africa Awards, cementing the
organisation’s reputation as a model for responsible and community-focused
tourism.
Ngcobo’s personal story mirrors the transformation he champions. Ponte City,
once a symbol of neglect and urban decay, has undergone a remarkable
turnaround. In the late 1990s, it was hijacked, dark, and unsafe. Today, it is a
vibrant, well-managed building housing nearly 2,000 residents, with Dlala Nje at
its heart, offering walking tours, youth programmes, a foundation phase school,
and community workshops. The building itself has become a living classroom,
with murals, mosaics, and urban gardens created by the local community.
“I’m proud that we provide a daily safe space for more than 200 children,”
Ngcobo says. “Our tours not only generate funding for community programmes
but also allow people to experience Hillbrow and Berea through the eyes of the
residents, challenging stereotypes and showing the resilience of our
community.”
In addition to his work with Dlala Nje, Ngcobo has been recognised as one of
the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans in 2025 for his contributions
to youth development and community empowerment. As a champion of the
Babize Bonke campaign — which invites people to experience Johannesburg’s
revival through its creative citizens — Ngcobo continues to inspire a new
generation to see the city differently.
From the heart of Hillbrow to the global stage, Grant Ngcobo and Dlala Nje are
proof that social enterprise, creativity, and community leadership can transform
both perceptions and realities, one tour at a time.
