My trip to the Dark Continent was certainly not well anticipated. As I was leaving my comfortable desk-bound job in a civil airline, I was to utilize my last pair of staff tickets before I go. There were several locations where I could had went to; Osaka, Nanjing, Dubai or maybe even Moscow. In the end, the temptation of stepping into the only continent (apart from Antarctica) that I had not been to so far outweigh all other considerations; I was finally on my way to South Africa and Swaziland.
Johannesburg (or Joburg), the capital of the Gauteng (a.k.a. "place of gold" in Sesotho) really came into the picture after gold was discovered in 1880s. The gold rush triggered in an influx of miners and hopefuls who wanted to strike it big. The town soon grew into a city and became a much sought-after possessions especially during the Boer wars in the late 19th century. During the apartheid years, Joburg was the location for the most heated riots (usually in Soweto or South-West Townships) and it "gave" birth to 2 Noble Peace Prize winners (they lived on the same street!). After the "Group Areas Act" was scrapped in 1994, many poor people (generally black) shifted into the city and crime rate increased tremendously. By late 1990s, Joburg was considered as one of the most dangerous cities in the world.
Bro hooked me up with Frank and Jack so that they could take me around town and watch out for me if anything happens. Almost got a shock when they turned up at the arrival hall of OR Tambo International Airport. Jack was donning a leather jacket completed with spiked accessories but they turned out to be the coolest people I had met so far in my travels. Perception kills (yet again).
Spent 4 hours in Chinatown (along Derrick Street in the eastern part of town). Nothing much here except for some supermarkets (selling items from China) and Chinese restaurants. Also visited the town office of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist temple; this happens to be the one and only branch in Africa.
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Not sure why this was not thought of but I could had started all blogs with a photograph (taken during the flight) that denotes my destination. It might be too late though; this is actually my last trip flying as an airline staff (cheap tickets would not be easily available nect time).
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I swear if I was blindfolded and be brought here, I would had thought this was London!
p.s.: This was taken at a street perpendicular of Derrick Street (Chinatown) in Joburg.
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Joburg's very own Chinatown (along Derrick Street). Nothing much here but I ate meat sauce noodles as my first meal in Africa.
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At least they got it "correct" for once.
I was given a "Non-White" (a.k.a. a coloured group that Asians were categorised as) card which requires me to enter the Apartheid Museum via the "Non-White" entrance.
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Introducing Jack (on the left) and Frank; the coolest people I met in South Africa. They were not pretending to pose like the images on the boards.
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It was so bad that even toilets were segregated under the laws of Apartheid. |
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Rightfully said. |
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A photograph depicts a thousand words. |
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The different entrances for the various groups of people. Notice that there is a much nicer looking entrance "reserved" for the "Whites".
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wyattwang.com doing it in front of Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg, South Africa.
p.s.: The 7 pillars in the background (i.e. Democracy, Equality, Reconciliation, Diversity, Responsibility, Respect and Freedom) represents the cornerstones of South Africa's constitution.
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