Johannesburg, city of contrasts
Sawubona!
Welcome again to my space!
I'm mailing you from the most colored city of the world, Johannesburg! I arrived here one week ago to prepare the ground for the best conference ever held in Africa, and I literally felt in love with this city and his people. Living in Johannesburg is just like touring the world everyday, as you feel like riding through New York, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Douala at the same time!
My country visit started with a huge shock, as I thought AIESEC in SA heavily indebted but I found a five stars MC! When you enter the MC house, you see an all furnished flat with white marble everywhere, a splendid garden, a luxurious brand new Toyota AVENSIS like only UN officials have! The MC has three employees taking care of the garden every month, as well as all modern facilities you don’t expect to see in Africa!
South Africa is a country of contrast. On the same Saturday I arrived, the whole MC was invited in a member’s family for a Sunday lunch, so we had to sleep there one night. Before going there, I was told our host is a Christian family, but I had no clue how Christian the family was! I found myself the next morning entering, for the first time after ages, the church of the community! The AIESEC member who invited us is the talented LCP of Johannesburg, and belongs to the upper middle class of colored people in SA. The family is apparently a pivotal member of the community, this explaining why we got a first class reception when we entered the sanctuary.
The pastor had our names, nationalities, and seized e-ve-ry opportunity to mention them, either to warmly welcome us, or to spice up his homely. The peak was reached when, certainly inspired by our God Boys’ style, he invited us in front of the church to sing a song! God forgive me if I lie, but among the five MC members and me, no one knew a song! I could see the sorrow in our brave LCP face, but we can only give what we have, and there, we were stuck! Not one, not two, but ten long minutes, trying to convince this great audience we are a positive values-driven generation! We were pathetic!
At the end of the service, and probably to make sure our souls can still be saved, we were invited for a special service at Christmas, and the Pastor himself drove us back to the MC house, which is more than an hour ride away. Guess what we discussed in the car? The Bible of course! But we all enjoyed it!
I told you South Africa is a country of contrasts. The next day, we went to Johannesburg to apply for a visa to Botswana, which I was not granted because it is processed in 10 to 14 days! Working in Joburg streets I noticed another thing about SA. In normal cities you are approached in the street by people giving out leaflets presenting cultural events, training opportunities, political programmes during elections, and so on. This simple fact says a lot about the psychology of the population, by the simple law of supply and demand: if there is a booming offer that means there is a demand, you follow hmm?
Ok, in Johannesburg’s popular streets people don’t market cultural events, but penis enlargement herbs! On a 100 meters’ distance, not less than seven different leaflets were given to us, promoting different products from different traditional doctors! South Africans take very seriously “little problems”, so if by chance you plan to increase your ambition, come over! Women also have programs to reduce their perspective, just ask!
I love this country! What else am I going to find in the remaining days I have to spend here? Only God knows! Anyway, next Sunday I’m going to church again!
Welcome again to my space!
I'm mailing you from the most colored city of the world, Johannesburg! I arrived here one week ago to prepare the ground for the best conference ever held in Africa, and I literally felt in love with this city and his people. Living in Johannesburg is just like touring the world everyday, as you feel like riding through New York, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Douala at the same time!
My country visit started with a huge shock, as I thought AIESEC in SA heavily indebted but I found a five stars MC! When you enter the MC house, you see an all furnished flat with white marble everywhere, a splendid garden, a luxurious brand new Toyota AVENSIS like only UN officials have! The MC has three employees taking care of the garden every month, as well as all modern facilities you don’t expect to see in Africa!
South Africa is a country of contrast. On the same Saturday I arrived, the whole MC was invited in a member’s family for a Sunday lunch, so we had to sleep there one night. Before going there, I was told our host is a Christian family, but I had no clue how Christian the family was! I found myself the next morning entering, for the first time after ages, the church of the community! The AIESEC member who invited us is the talented LCP of Johannesburg, and belongs to the upper middle class of colored people in SA. The family is apparently a pivotal member of the community, this explaining why we got a first class reception when we entered the sanctuary.
The pastor had our names, nationalities, and seized e-ve-ry opportunity to mention them, either to warmly welcome us, or to spice up his homely. The peak was reached when, certainly inspired by our God Boys’ style, he invited us in front of the church to sing a song! God forgive me if I lie, but among the five MC members and me, no one knew a song! I could see the sorrow in our brave LCP face, but we can only give what we have, and there, we were stuck! Not one, not two, but ten long minutes, trying to convince this great audience we are a positive values-driven generation! We were pathetic!
At the end of the service, and probably to make sure our souls can still be saved, we were invited for a special service at Christmas, and the Pastor himself drove us back to the MC house, which is more than an hour ride away. Guess what we discussed in the car? The Bible of course! But we all enjoyed it!
I told you South Africa is a country of contrasts. The next day, we went to Johannesburg to apply for a visa to Botswana, which I was not granted because it is processed in 10 to 14 days! Working in Joburg streets I noticed another thing about SA. In normal cities you are approached in the street by people giving out leaflets presenting cultural events, training opportunities, political programmes during elections, and so on. This simple fact says a lot about the psychology of the population, by the simple law of supply and demand: if there is a booming offer that means there is a demand, you follow hmm?
Ok, in Johannesburg’s popular streets people don’t market cultural events, but penis enlargement herbs! On a 100 meters’ distance, not less than seven different leaflets were given to us, promoting different products from different traditional doctors! South Africans take very seriously “little problems”, so if by chance you plan to increase your ambition, come over! Women also have programs to reduce their perspective, just ask!
I love this country! What else am I going to find in the remaining days I have to spend here? Only God knows! Anyway, next Sunday I’m going to church again!
1 Comments:
Hey Habib,
I'm sooo jealous! You're in Jo'burg! And you're preparing with the MC for the most amazing conference of the year!
But it's not completely true. I'm very greatful to you. You brough back all my memories from South Africa: AGM, the AIESEC House, Elrine's wonderful family, the church, the Penis advertisements... :))) I hope you'll have a great time there!!!!
Miss you,
Ildi
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