Slow pace of life permeates entire South Africa

19/07/2003

MALAYSIANS, who complain about slow counter service at home, should pay a
visit to South Africa.
Everything here moves at a snail's pace, with even the Internet
connection being agonisingly slow and fragile - so much so that one has to
keep redialling to stay connected.
The locals are not complaining though, as this is the lifestyle they
have been accustomed to for generations.
But for a journalist rushing to send his copy to Malaysia, what with the
six-hour time difference, it can be a very trying and frustrating
experience when met with red tape at every corner.
The South African Hockey Association has left everything to the last
minute, and work is still ongoing even though the Champions Challenge
starts in less than 24 hours.
The media centre is still not ready, the artificial pitch, which has
huge patches of black fungus, is still being cleaned with a high-powered
hose. Teams are moving around in the dark as liaison officers take their
sweet time going about things.
Nevertheless, the country is well planned, with superb highways
connecting every small town from Johannesburg to Randburg.
The police force is also very efficient, as every 10 minutes one can see
the flashing lights of a police car moving slowly past the hotel - giving
one a secure feeling.
At every traffic light, there are locals carrying rubbish bags scurrying
from car-to-car asking if there is any rubbish to be dumped. They then
sift through the rubbish by the roadside and keep what can be used for
recycling. Quite a large number of people make money this way, and it
helps keep the country squeaky clean.
But it saddens the heart to see these vagrants going about their tasks
in the cold weather, with very young children in tow, while thinly
attired. A mother and son team, with the boy being about three years old,
have set up a permanent base at the traffic light near our hotel, and can
be seen hard at work from dawn to dusk.
The mother scampers from car to car asking for rubbish, while the boy,
runny nose and all, sits patiently by the curb and guards the day's meagre
collection.
Life is very hard on the streets of Johannesburg, but affluency abounds
in the chic shopping complexes where the upper class mingle and sip their
coffee.
But everywhere, the pace of life is maddeningly slow and the Malaysian
journalists here just can't wait for the Champions Challenge to start so
that, finally, they can see some action.
(END)