Johannesburg After Almost Thirty-Two Years of ANC Rule

Johannesburg is a city of great contrasts. It’s not only the gap in wealth and standard of living, but also the great diversity of people. Within all of the racial groups, there are subdivisions. That makes for a lively cultural and gastronomic environment. Due to the incredible mismanagement of the ANC-led government of Cyril Ramaphosa -they haven’t even come up with a budget-the dollar is exceptionally strong against the rand, and our dollars go as far here as they do in Thailand. You can enjoy the great luxuries of America:hotels, spas, fine dining, top-of-the-line medical and dental care at rock-bottom prices. (My wife has enjoyed stellar dental work, and claims the massages and facials she’s gotten here are the best ever.)

It’s not necessary to hang out exclusively in the most high end sections of Johannesburg to have a good time. Below are some scenes from Norwood, traditionally an Italian, Irish and Lebanese Christian neighborhood, today largely Muslim. This doesn’t mean everyone can’t go there. Left in the above photos is a shawarma restaurant owned Palestinian-Israeli twin brothers, who traditionally closed their business on the High Holidays out of respect for their Jewish customers. Everything is made on the premises. I just stopped by yesterday for hummus and shawarma, and I’ll be back when I get my haircut at my friend’s Pakistani barber…