Johannesburg

Dumela (that’s hello in Sesotho!) Welcome to Jozi! That’s what the locals call it. It’s the “Big Apple” of South Africa. Known as the city of gold, it draws millions of immigrants throughout the African continent who come in search of its riches. But that can be hard to find in this gritty urban jungle where most newcomers cram into a slum village of dilapidated tenements. On my first day in the city, my driver and I arrived at an intersection where we encountered a confrontation between a mob of residents and at least 20 officers outfitted in red and white uniforms, riot shields and batons. “They’re called ‘red ants’”, he explained as we passed by heaps of tossed furniture piled high on the sidewalk. “They evict people.” Meanwhile the sprawling suburbs of JoBurg offer some insulation for the BMW-driving, gated-estate crowd who can afford to distance themselves from the raw nature of the streets. Despite the disparity, a vibrant synergy co-exists among rich and poor, urban and rural, citizen and immigrant. World Cup fever has also taken root with ambitious projects, like the Gautrain high speed rail system, in full swing. For those willing to go along for the ride….it’s the place to be!