Someone once asked me if South Africa was a safe place to live. And my immediate and un-hesitated answer was "Of course, if you're vigilant."
On Wednesday morning, I hopped in my nice car and drove into Central Johannesburg in peak hour traffic (of which there is none by the way) to visit the Home Affairs office in Newtown, a place not renowned for its safety. I parked my car in the designated safe parking, locked it and walked across the very busy road to the large multi-storey building. The place was buzzing, there were people waiting to get married, apply for passports and registering there newborn babies.
Courtesy Google Maps
Never once did I feel threatened or unsafe by anyone of thing that was hanging around the office. These people are just getting on with their lives just like I do EVERYDAY.
The staff were friendly and i went upstairs to find my queue for unabridged birth certificates. The room was quiet with only a few other people needing a similar document to me. The smiley and helpful lady at the counter gave me the application form and told me that if I didn't get the particulars of my grandparents (I went for my mom's birth certificate) it was alright.
After waiting 15 minutes for my mom to send me the details of her parents, I wrote them down, paid for the certificate and walked out scot-free, if you will.
I got back into my car after a gruelling 20 minutes, of which 15 were not even waiting for home affairs, and drove through the streets of high-rise buildings and businesses.
Courtesy: https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-12369500-stock-footage-a-sunset-timelapse-of-the-city-centre-of-johannesburg-cbd-with-blue-skies-and-shadows-moving.html
I drove through this incredible place and saw everything work, the bus stops were packed and buses were carting people to where they needed to be, the train station (Park Station) had people pouring in and out of it, people were walking and crossing correctly to get to there destination and the police presence was amazing! Cops everywhere making sure people were safe and stopping people who were behaving badly on the road, picking up the broken stone dustbins on the street, doing their job.
I have never felt so proud of the place that is my home and how brilliant this city is. South Africa and possibly Johannesburg in particular are not the safest places in the world, however, anyone ever warned you about the pick-pockets on the streets on New York City or Paris.
My country is beautiful and we are finally on the rise. It was mornings like today when I understand why South Africa will always be home. The city is beautiful, the people are wonderful and weather is amazing.
I hope to find more gems in Joburg this year, stick around and you can learn about them with me.
Lots of love and have a beautiful day!
Soph <3
xxx
- Wednesday, February 21, 2018
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