This is our home

So this is where we live, in this cosy settlement surrounded by greenery…

No I am just kidding, we live in a secure Estate called Dainfern. There are more than one thousand houses in the Estate and it is made up of small villages with a golf course nestling in between. Many people play since it is very easily accessible, so far we haven't. 

Clubhouse

In the centre of the Estate is the Clubhouse, which has a very nice restaurant for lunch, dinner or just to meet friends for a drink. Joakim and Sandra tend to hang out there more than the rest of us…The nice thing is that they can go there on their own and move around the area, as they can't leave the Estate.

Security gate

Security is tight and to get into the Estate as a visitor you either need to have a prearranged code or the guards will call the person you are visiting. Without permission it is impossible to enter. 

Our house is wonderful with open plan living, a beautiful garden (thanks to the gardener who keeps it immaculate) and a large covered patio where we usually eat all our meals or relax when we are at home. Below are some pictures of the kids' rooms. 

Sandra's room

Joakim's room

Isabel's room

About crime

When I landed in Johannesburg for the first time 18 months ago, I was worried how to get from the airport alive and certain I would at least get robbed immediately. The lady who met us surprised me with carrying a normal handbag and taking out her wallet to pay the parking ticket - and nobody attacked! She then took us for some sightseeing and we had a coffee at an outdoor café, with no armed guards in sight. We even had lunch sitting outside!

Yes, things do happen here and you have to be cautious, but the headlines in Europe are scaring people too much. 90% of crime happens in the townships and especially during weekend nights. There are certainly areas which are no-go for white people, and walking around at night is not advisable. I do lock the car every time I leave the gates of our secure estate and I put my handbag under my feet or in the trunk and I do not drive with the windows down but so far I cannot say I have felt frightened anywhere.

Smash and grab is what I have heard the most likely thing to happen. Someone will notice in the traffic lights that your handbag or nice phone is visible and in the next traffic lights your window is smashed and your things disappear in a blink. This can be avoided by keeping valuables out of sight.  

There are always people waiting for taxis

Driving on an empty street at night and stopping at traffic lights, there is the chance that you are suddenly surrounded by bad guys wanting your car. So it is important to look around you while standing still and be prepared to drive away quickly if necessary. I try not to drive when it is dark but it is not always possible to avoid. 

The Estate were we live feels very secure and I have noticed most people leave their doors unlocked when they are at home. The worst thing that could happen here, people say, is that you make your maid or gardener angry and they open the door to robbers when you are not around. Or young people feeling bored break into your house in order to get some excitement and maybe find alcohol. 

Lunch at Casalinga with Catalan friends

Johannesburg views

So yes, crime is an issue but should not scare you to not visit South-Africa, which is an amazing country!

Freedom Day

Last Sunday was Freedom Day here in South Africa. Twenty years ago, the first democratic elections were held and every South African had for the first time a chance to vote. Nelson Mandela was then elected President and the Rainbow Nation was born.  

A lot has happened since and the country moved forward, but listening to local people and following the news, it seems to me that there are still many things to do. Some people have become very wealthy while there is a massive poor population living in shanty villages, many without work. Unemployment rate is 25% I read today. Next week elections will take place but everyone believes ANC (the governing party) will win again. 

Workers on William Nicoll upgrade

The Black Economic Empowerment system gives companies points when they employ a black person. These points are necessary if the company wants to do business with State owned enterprises. So when having to choose between a similarly skilled white, coloured or black person, the latter one will get the job. This has led to white people with low education having difficulties finding work and some are out on the street begging for help. 

Road works seem to take forever. Next to us, William Nicoll, has been a working site for the past years and there is no end in sight. When part of a road looks ready for paving, suddenly it is dug open again. Manual labour is used, which evidently increases working time. Some even say the reason for slow progress is to give people work! We just hope it would be ready soon to avoid the queues during rush hours.

At every traffic light there is a person selling something

Traffic police guiding traffic

Outskirts of Diepsloot shanty town

Driving back from Mozambique

The drive back home to Johannesburg from Mozambique was, as always, interesting. There seems to be a constant flow of people walking from one place to the other, maybe because public transportation is not widely available and cars are expensive.
 

The main roads in South Africa are mostly in good condition so we didn't have to drive zigzag to avoid potholes this time. But we had to be aware of animals all the time; cows, goats and donkeys were hanging out beside the road and decided once in a while to change sides regardless of cars approaching.

We passed local villages and houses quite different from the ones we are used to. Many of them are still without water or electricity. Now that elections are coming up in May, this is one of the complaints to the ruling party.

Mondi Paper's forest plantations.

Easter in Mozambique

We had a wonderful Easter in Mozambique! Driving to Ponta Malongane was a bit long, 10 hours in the car, but even Isabel managed fine. 

After Kosi Bay border it was 4x4 only, there were no real roads, just sand tracks. Luckily we didn't get stuck in the sand, not everyone was as lucky as we though! 

The beach was absolutely stunning, with clear water and great surf. This is where we spent most of our days, jumping in the waves. With almost no other people, just a few kite surfers and occasional swimmers.

And braai in the evening by the pool.