Tammy, Tom and I were walking along Job Maseko, from the Chess Park towards the civic centre. We were trying to formulate our research topics and to establish the areas we were going to be working in. As we stopped to cross a side road a car pulled up and a well dressed man stepped out of the passenger side. His name was Justice and was concerned for our safety or rather his taxi driver had been concerned and they had stopped to enquire if we were all right. After a discussion about what we were doing in Kwa Thema we learnt that Justice was a local magistrate who had just taken his two rottweiler puppies to have their tails docked. He eventually insisted that we make use of his taxi driver to take us anywhere we please in order to keep us safe. So the three of us shared the backseat with the puppies while we took them and their owner back to their home in White City. Bafana, the taxi driver, then took us to Massimini, to the beer hall where we were going to continue our contemplations and observations.
Bafana was incredibly dutiful and followed as we walked around. When we wanted to return to the Chess Park, Bafana wanted to take us past a car wash that he would like us to support. It turned out that this was just a ruse to take us on a joyride where he could show us off to everyone he knew. We became instant celebrities while Bafana hooted and shouted at all those who passed by and in turn they looked on in disbelief. Apparently it is not everyday that you have three white people in your taxi!
When we were nearing the end of our trip, Bafana pointed out a real local celebrity, Riot, but we took very little notice until he started singing the popular song from Riot’s group. At this point we realised that Riot was from the Gang of Instrumentals and so we turned the car around and went to meet the real celebrity and get his autograph.
I returned to Joburg rather exhilarated from our unique experience in the township. However my family were less than thrilled to hear about my experience and in particular my brother was furious with me for being so ‘reckless’. I t was difficult to explain that you have to show trust in people in order to receive that trust in return. And of course I would never do this in Johannesburg but things are different in Kwa Thema. Something you can only understand by going there.
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1 comment:
Great Post Alex!
I'm glad you wrote this up for prosperity, its sounds very exiting. At least I got to see the end of your ride and the back of the taxi as it sped down Job Maseko. (Sorry, I am continuously thinking of overlapping narratives lately.
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