November 2011 - Jo'burg South Africa

I real like Jo'burg - well let me correct that I really like the environs of Joburg. The city itself is dishevelled, downtown has nothing really of interest except for the Muti market and the SAB brewery. There is also a museum which has a strange collection ranging from prehistoric finds to apartheid shanties, to the history of Johannesburg's gay community, to a display of 19th century shoes. All very well and good and probably interesting to niche groups, but not really my thing.

There is a ring road that goes around the city, arriving at the airport I usually pick up a rental car and make my way to the northern suburb of Sandton. The environs of Joburg are very green, this time of the year the Jacaranda in in bloom providing a great dash of colour. Apparently the tree is not indigenous to South Africa and is now seen as a pest. You cannot buy one in your local garden centre which seems a shame. Judge for yourself, are they beautiful or what?

Anyway Sandton is the place to stay if you're here on business, it's also the place to stay if you want to be able to venture out of your hotel room at night. This is one of the major downers here - most whites live in gated communities with their own private security. Most blacks, unfortunately still live in dire poverty in communities with no gates and often enough with public latrines. I did stay in a B&B in other suburb once but couldn't go out at night, it just ain't safe! Excessive wealth + abject poverty = property crime. Don't blame the media, don't blame the youth - the fault lies purely at the inequitable division of wealth.

Anyway, enough of the politics - for those really interested please see Amandla magazine - http://www.amandlapublishers.co.za/

I like the Holiday Inn in Sandton's Rivonia Rd, the rooms are adequate and quiet,the breakfast wholesome and you have free access to planet fitness across the road - http://www.planetfitness.co.za/clubs/Rivonia.aspx

You can also walk to Sandton City mall and Mandela Square... If there I recommend you try the African restaurant Lekgothla - http://www.lekgotla.com/

The food is great and the atmosphere too. The last time I was there however, the drummers were silent. They were seated near to the door but no one was a -drumming. Then all of a sudden the drumming began, a group of Chinese guests were arriving, then silence again. 5 minutes later - more drumming - more Chinese guests, and on it went until the Chinese party was complete. A political statement or what? I wonder what the reaction would be if the Dalai Lama entered for a bite or 2 of crocodile.

Another evening, in a different restaurant in Mandela Square, I had an interesting conversation with one of the waiters. He explained to me that the penthouses in the towers of Mandela Square are the most expensive real estate in the city - starting from R80K per month rental. He also mentioned that he was once in the lift of the penthouse building and happened to share the ride with some of the inhabitants. He told me how he felt despised by them and how their arrogance made him feel so small. I wonder who actually lives there?

Mandela Square and environs is also a hangout for ladies of the night. The operate in the day time as well. I was accosted there at 5pm one evening - "Hello there sexy man" says she to me. I was taken aback - I am tall, dark and handsome, but not even my wife calls me that. I was about to engage the young lady in a political discourse on the evils of prostitution and violence against women, but decided against it. With a "good evening to you sexy woman" I left Mandela Square alone and made my way via Maude Street back to my hotel.