These past couple of days I was able to visit my former University Professor, Jon Soske, see a bit of Johannesburg and learn more about the history of South Africa.
Jon, who is currently researching at the University of Witwatersrand, invited me to the launch of his documentary, “The African Indian Odyssey”. Sponsored by Saffron TV, the film reflects on the 150th anniversary of Indians in South Africa by carefully tracing the transformation of an African Indian identity.
Seeing the film and Jon, are two memories to serve in my South African highlight reel. It is quite a surreal feeling to be seeing someone you knew in another country, here in South Africa. What’s more, who would’ve thought four years ago when I walked into his class that I would meet him in Africa. In fact, it was Jon’s classes, which motivated my curiosity to travel to this continent.
For my stay, Rani (whom was introduced in the Mpumalanga blog) put me in contact with her son and nephew. Although I had never met them before, the Chetty boys hosted my stay in Joberg and took me out to enjoy the city.
Johannesburg is a very wealthy city. It offers a mix of downtown Toronto with a Manhattan icing. The contrast presents the Eastern Cape on a complete opposite spectrum. It can even make one question if you are still in Africa. Then again the surrounding townships presents the checks and balance of this metropolis.
Being in Joberg furthered my understanding of the social engineering in South Africa. I experienced racism for my beard as well as my skin colour, I witnessed the intense social divide while feeling uncomfortable sitting in an Indian restaurant and learned more about Apartheid by discussing with a researcher on the ideological battles of “Charterist” vs. “Africanist”.
I only hope I can keep up with this exponential feeling of growth.
On another note, I received a reminder of home. While checking out a clothing store, Snow’s “Informer” came on. And the name of the store was “Markham” :) .