My trip to Johannesburg South Africa

by Zinhle Mathabela (South Africa)

A leap into the unknown South Africa

Travelled to the city of Johannesburg South Africa for the first time at the age of 18. At the time I had traveled to look for University space and a place to stay. Johannesburg is 5hours away from my home town. When I arrived in the city, I saw big buildings, lots of people rushing to different directions and street burgers every corner. I’m from a small town we’re chaos is unknown and arriving to Johannesburg in the city were dreams are made off and to witness that kind of business. Before I got off the bus I knew I had to put my heard up high and walk busy as if I know we’re I am going. My aunt who I was going to stay over at her house until I sort out everything and find my own place, had told me we’re I can catch the next taxi. But at the time of my arrival there was too much going on and had no idea where I could find the taxis of we’re I was supposed to go. I then got off at the Park station the Johannesburg long distances bus station. I had to hold my heavy bags very tight to me. I walk in the dark of park station , walking fast as I could so no one could notice that I may not know where I was going. I saw some mad wearing black trousers and red and white reflective waist cout, they seem as security guards the way they were standing I walked to them as I got close I could see written security on the left chest of their waist cout and I asked them were can I find the taxis that are going to Bakesdal and they told me I should proceed walking straight and turn left at the kfc after turning I will see many taxis then I can ask the taxi drivers of the taxi that I am in particular looking for. I walked as they told me, my bags were heavy on me, I was hungry and feeling lost in the city. As I am walking so many street burgers keeps on walking towards me and offering to carry my bags for me in exchange of giving them coins to buy bread. I would say to them I am good thanks I can manage and I don’t have extra coins on me. I got to kfc and turned as I was instructed and walked to the taxis as I approach the taxis so many man were asking me we’re I am going and also announcing we’re the taxis they standing by are going. I told them and they showed me the taxi I need. I got to it and had to cue in a long wine. I’m my mind I was exhausted but also excited that I had arrive in the city. I looked around me as I was standing at the cue by Wanderas taxi rank. I could see the big Vodacom building that is on every movie, films and magazines about the city of Johannesburg, I could see the transnet building too and a lot more other buildings while still standing in the chaos. My turn eventual came for me to get on the taxi. We set in 4, 4s on the seats and most of us had lots of bags to carry on our labs. The taxi left the taxi rank and travelled to the destination I have never been in at, Bakesdal . I called my aunt to notify her I’m very close by, and I was thinking the taxi would travel at least 15minutes but It was a good 45 minutes. It travelled pass by Soweto the big township in Johannesburg , All the memories of Nelson Mandela in the streets and houses of Soweto came to my mind his house in situated there. All the apartheid memories that I have seen on tv came back. We travelled the taxi entered a place written welcome to Bakesdal and it arrived at a small taxi rank, I got off. This part of Johannesburg looked much safer, I made a call to my aunt and she said I am here, I looked behind me I saw her.