| JOHANNESBURG |
~1996~ Johannesburg - November 1996 Cape Town - November 1996 Madinah/Makkah - December 1996 Istanbul - December 1996 My Overseas Travel My Local Travel My Reflection |
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| Jo'burg, Jozi, eGoli or 'the city of gold' (never Johannesburg) is by far the largest city in South Africa. It's brash, fast-growing and often ugly, but it's got wealth, energy and a beautiful climate. Many would suggest you go through Jo'burg as quickly as possible, with your valuables plugging all available orifices. However, if you want to see the 'real' South Africa - and try to understand it - Jo'burg has to be on your itinerary. Anyway, you may not have a choice about visiting the city as most international flights stop here. While the colour lines are etched deeply, you stand a better chance of meeting blacks on relatively equal terms in Jo'burg than almost anywhere else. Unlike many South African cities where there are so few black faces you could forget that you are in Africa, the centre of Jo'burg has been reclaimed and the sidewalks are jammed with black hawkers and stalls of every description. There's also a growing multiracial music and theatre scene. |
| The so-called black townships, where conditions range from reasonable to appalling, ring the city and are a grotesque contrast to the northern suburbs. Soweto is the main township. It's an enormous, sprawling and sometimes grim spread of bungalows, houses, huts, shacks and dorms. Most white South Africans are completely ignorant of life inside the townships and few have ever been inside one. Although the townships are still in a state of acute social trauma, outsiders are not automatically targeted.. |
| Water Front, Johannesburg |
| ~ OUR OWN PATHWAY ~ (I) On the pathway that we choose to thread There will be many wonderful sights & memories Sometimes we will come across a barren bit Thread on to pastures new & bright To your own self always be true Tread along the pathway meant for you Always keep your head held high Keep your eyes opened & learn as you go |
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