Johannesburg may live in the shadow of Cape Town, but an international index has voted it the second-most inspiring city in the world.
The 2014 Good City Index placed Johannesburg just behind Hong Kong. What did it were the city's rat-hunting owls, cycle tracks and an emerging street culture.
This is the second time the US-based Good magazine has run the index. The first time round Johannesburg came in sixth.
The City of Gold was one of three African cities featured in the index's top 20 list: the other two were Nairobi and Dakar.
Jozi scored high in categories, including hub of progress, city engagement, street life, defining moments, connectivity, green life, diversity and work/life balance. Data was collected by a global network of correspondents.
"The city gives those who give it the time of day a chance to step in and own a small pocket of something - an idea, a space, a view, or a solution," is how the magazine describes Johannesburg.
The magazine picks out several reasons why it stands out above 50 other cities.
One of these was the city's radical solution to deal with its rat problem; that of setting up owl boxes in Alexandra and Marlboro.
The index also singled out the Newtown Junction, which was launched in September, as having an impact on street life.
"Boasting restaurants, a cinema and various retail stores that you can access by simply walking off the street (a rarity in car-filled Joburg), the Junction is a mixed-use space that includes prime office space, a gym, and a fine art gallery promoting the development of local artists," the magazine says.
It also highlighted the bicycle lanes in Soweto, the reclamation of spaces in the inner city for sports facilities, and the first mobile Wi-Fi library.
"This shows that our efforts as a city at work to promote socio-economic transformation are making an impact, not only locally, but also internationally," said an elated Parks Tau, the executive mayor.
Johannesburg muscled out Mexico City at three and Cape Town at 25.
The top 5 good city index 2014
1) Hong Kong
"The 'Umbrella Movement' protest has been rooted in a strong yearning for mutual respect, freedom of expression and an abiding belief in possibility."
2) Johannesburg
''The city is good at finding new, sometimes unorthodox, ways to fix itself.''
3) Mexico City
The launch of mobile health clinics, free school uniforms and the distribution of the Tarjeta Capital Joven, a card used by teens and young adults to gain free or discounted access to hundreds of the city's museums and cultural venues.
4) New Delhi
An ancient city that is modernising and growing.
5) Nairobi
Its hustler spirit.
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