Meet Our Official Mascot: The Jozi Taxi Wapuu

Every WordCamp around the globe brings its own unique energy, culture, and flavor—and nothing captures that spirit better than a custom Wapuu!

We are thrilled to officially unveil the official mascot for WordCamp Johannesburg 2026: meet our Jozi Taxi Wapuu!

What is a Wapuu?

For those new to the global WordPress community, Wapuu is the official open-source mascot of WordPress. Originally created by Japanese illustrator Kazuko Kaneuchi in 2011 for WordCamp Tokyo, Wapuu was designed as a friendly character holding the WordPress “W” logo.

Because Wapuu is open source under the GPL, WordCamps all over the world redesign Wapuu to reflect the heritage, culture, and iconic symbols of their host cities.

The Inspiration: Celebrating the Pulse of Johannesburg

When designing the mascot for WordCamp Johannesburg 2026, we wanted a character that represents movement, connection, and true Jozi hustle.

Nothing moves Johannesburg quite like our iconic minibus taxis—the heartbeat of the city’s daily commute, connecting people from all walks of life across the Gold City.

The Details Behind Our Wapuu:

• The Jozi Taxi: Perched proudly on a classic white minibus taxi featuring South Africa’s vibrant flag stripes and a local GP · JOZI license plate.
• The “Jozi” Bucket Hat (Koppi / Isicholo style): Sporting a black bucket hat with “JOZI” embroidered across the front—a staple piece of local streetwear culture.
• Iconic Johannesburg Skyline: Backed by the unmistakable landmarks of our city, including the Hillbrow Tower, the Nelson Mandela Bridge, the signpost pointing to Soweto, and FNB Stadium (The Calabash).
• The WordPress Core: Holding the classic blue WordPress logo close, symbolizing how open-source technology drives our community forward.

What Our Wapuu Means to Our Community

Our Wapuu isn’t just a cute graphic—it represents the core mission of WordCamp Johannesburg:

1. Accessibility & Transport: Just like a taxi connects every corner of the city, WordPress connects developers, creators, business owners, and beginners to new digital opportunities.
2. Local Pride: It celebrates Johannesburg’s vibrant culture, resilience, and unique energy.
3. Inclusivity & Connection: WordCamp brings together individuals from every background to share knowledge, learn, and grow together.

Take Wapuu Home with You!

Keep an eye out for our Jozi Taxi Wapuu throughout WordCamp Johannesburg 2026! You’ll see it across our venue, on stage slides, and featured on exclusive event stickers and swag so you can take a piece of Jozi’s WordPress spirit home with you.

Got your ticket yet? Don’t miss out on South Africa’s premier WordPress event. Head over to our Tickets page to grab yours today, and get ready to hop on board with the community!