I recently had conversations with two people on
facebook and as the relationship progressed we moved on to whatsapp and
bbm. These two people seemed like associates that one could have
especially when you are making "the big move to Jozi". I must say that
these are the people who congratulated me after performances and my
television appearances. This brought great comfort to my heart to know
that there were even people outside of Kimberley,my hometown who
appreciated my work.
So then I move to Johannesburg and started conversing with them and the first question was, where in Joburg? I then said "In Berea" and the answer was "MUTE". Now I asked myself why these people never responded back to me, but then as I started interacting with the locals, I found out that if you are coming from outside of Joburg and you want a job, or you want to impress some BEE's or even the people @ your home you need to turn into a liar.
You have to lie about everything! Where you stay (Sandton), what you eat (sushi), where do you hang out (Hyde Park), what labels you are wearing(Gucci),the kind of job you have (Manager), etc etc! These poor people have to lie because they live in the notorious Hillbrow!
Hillbrow well known for its vibe. A place everyone thinks is full of gangsters, magosha's, hobo's, drunkards and that all Nigerians are drug dealers. Well all of these activities do take place in Hillbrow but is it fair to generalize?
This stigma about Hillbrow is uncalled for especially in a developing country like South Africa. Do u know how much it costs to rent a flat a month just in Braamfontein? What about the fact that you have just arrived and have no income? Are u going to blow R5000 on one month's rent just so that you can be counted among the elite? Are u going to starve yourself for the sake of being called "iskhothane"? Well I think that would be rather stupid!
Hillbrow is a place that has given birth to great musicians, performers and people who are business minded. This community contributes enough to the economy of South Africa and helps to put Johannesburg on the map for being "South Africa's business hub".
This is a place where people understand the word "vukuzenzele", they wake up early and sleep late trying to create jobs for themselves and just to feed their families. Here you get street vendors everywhere selling fruits, vegetables, hair piece, nuts, second hand clothes, blankets etc etc. The competition is tough, so the businessman and women here understand how to pursue a person to buy because once you leave that shop, the next one will offer you a better price.
So then I move to Johannesburg and started conversing with them and the first question was, where in Joburg? I then said "In Berea" and the answer was "MUTE". Now I asked myself why these people never responded back to me, but then as I started interacting with the locals, I found out that if you are coming from outside of Joburg and you want a job, or you want to impress some BEE's or even the people @ your home you need to turn into a liar.
You have to lie about everything! Where you stay (Sandton), what you eat (sushi), where do you hang out (Hyde Park), what labels you are wearing(Gucci),the kind of job you have (Manager), etc etc! These poor people have to lie because they live in the notorious Hillbrow!
Hillbrow well known for its vibe. A place everyone thinks is full of gangsters, magosha's, hobo's, drunkards and that all Nigerians are drug dealers. Well all of these activities do take place in Hillbrow but is it fair to generalize?
This stigma about Hillbrow is uncalled for especially in a developing country like South Africa. Do u know how much it costs to rent a flat a month just in Braamfontein? What about the fact that you have just arrived and have no income? Are u going to blow R5000 on one month's rent just so that you can be counted among the elite? Are u going to starve yourself for the sake of being called "iskhothane"? Well I think that would be rather stupid!
Hillbrow is a place that has given birth to great musicians, performers and people who are business minded. This community contributes enough to the economy of South Africa and helps to put Johannesburg on the map for being "South Africa's business hub".
This is a place where people understand the word "vukuzenzele", they wake up early and sleep late trying to create jobs for themselves and just to feed their families. Here you get street vendors everywhere selling fruits, vegetables, hair piece, nuts, second hand clothes, blankets etc etc. The competition is tough, so the businessman and women here understand how to pursue a person to buy because once you leave that shop, the next one will offer you a better price.
Yes it has it's dangerous spots, and yes it has some challenges but so does any other place. I bet Sandton is full of people now claiming to be all sorts of things only to scam unsuspecting successful business people who worked hard (maybe from Hilbrow), to build their empires.
So while you still sitting there doing nothing but being judgmental about Hillbrow lifestyle, know that there are men and women who work hard and are responsible. It is not the HELL some people make it out to be. It is a place that offers families a place to live @ an affordable rate and a place that helps people like us kick-start our careers in the mainstream.
Hillbrow is Central and is a walking distance to town, to the Windy-brow Theater, Joburg Theater, Market Theater and Museums around. This place some people call home and that will never change.
Right now I am gob smacked @ how narrow minded people can be, to actually force you to lie about who and what you are. We were not all born with a golden spoon in our mouths, so our circumstances will always be different and we need to respect that. How on earth are we all supposed to afford "the life"when jobs in South Africa are as scares as "manna from Heaven"?
Be realistic about your situation and appreciate the little things, for when the big things appear in your life, you can handle them with grace and multiply whatever it is you have without go phaphela zaka!
Hell or no Hell, I believe Hillbrow is as real as it gets. Whoever said when you come to Joburg you will find gold everywhere has lied to you. Here in Joburg, the gold is there but you have to go through the same mining method used in the 1800's before most of us where born. The gold is in a rock, you must work to make it a point that you get something out. You need to keep digging until something happens!
Hillbrow is no hell, its alive and LOUD, that's why you can't stop criticizing it because you wish you had the guts and determination the people who live here have!
I will never impress you, I speak my mind, so deal with it!
KIM EPISODES
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