Pretoria Day 3

On Tuesday I began my training at the ITS office.  I spent my first day with James a young chap that had also worked his way through a University MIS office and is now team leader for the largest software supplier to South African tertiary education’s MIS division.  The office was quite shabby, not really what I expected after visiting the lavish user group conference thrown by their company last year in Gaborone.  I did manage to pick quite a bit up from the training that I should be able to apply at the Polytechnic of Namibia and elsewhere. 

We had lunch provided daily to all workers of the software company.  A nice perk for staff working at a successful company.  Then we took a walk down to the nearby strip mall to visit the grocery store where I bought some phone credit.  It was a very pleasant walk.  The streets are much like those in any suburban area.  The long streets with houses placed on large lots are much like those in my native Mississauga.  The only difference being the extensive security ad gates which encase the houses. 

After work I received a call from a friend of a friend at the Polytechnic of Namibia.  Peter insisted that I join him for dinner as it was the tradition between him and my contact at the Polytechnic to always treat guests of each city.  Unfortunately, Peter had a hell of a time finding the B&B where I stayed so we were quite late for dinner which also turned out to be his sister’s birthday party…oops!  I felt bad about that but was almost instantly welcomed by all as we sat down to eat at Arizona’s Restaurant.  Arizona’s was a massive place with seating for at least 300.  It was located in a prominent suburb of Pretoria.  Our discussion ranged from our independent worldly travels and life in Pretoria which I was interested to understand. 

Peter’s sister had an interesting story.  Turns out that on that night not far from our place of dining a woman had her driver’s side window smashed by a thief attempting to take her handbag as she stopped at a streetlight  The driver behind her having noticed the incident pulled out his handgun, which was for some reason in the car with him, and started firing at the thief.  The thief escaped ‘alive’ but empty handed.  I do not mean to scare anyone, but the message to take is how desperate people from this city are to ward off crime.  The feeling I get from the wonderful people I have met is that they are so sick and tired of the crime in this area of the world.  The police are near hopeless and people resort to either gating themselves into their homes, or taking extreme measures to battle crime head on.  People are really desperate for change and I can see why, without crime in this city it would be complete paradise.  It is absolutely beautiful, clean, warm, and for the most part friendly. 

I was back at ITS for another training session Wednesday with a family man, named Frans.  Frans gave me lots of insight into using MIS for strategic purposes.  We had lunch together back at the plaza, we both ate fresh salads; a couple of health nuts we are.  Frans told me of all of the wonderful places in South Africa I have yet to see. 

We finished a bit early today so I took a stroll home despite warnings from my B&B headmaster. I figured that if I could walk to the store at lunch I could surely take the short walk to my house.  It was a beautiful walk home.  But all the way guard dogs barked at me as I passed their gates. 

Friends of the house master had insisted that I meet her grandson who was considering moving to Canada to avoid the gated communities of Pretoria.  We met about 5pm and head down to the local lounge for a drink.  Finally, after nearly a year I had a Stella Artois which was a real treat.  Actually I had two.  We then took a walk around the mall and he recommended a good book on African history which I purchased at the local bookstore.

We had dinner at yet another mall.  Malls here are sort of like gated communities as far as I can tell.  You pretty much need a car to get in as most entrances are through a secure parking lot.  As you go through you car plates are photographed and your parking ticked it validated twice.  The mall was massive, rivaling even the Eaten Centre completely.  We ate at a wonderful Italian restaurant called Cappuccino’s which had wonderful service and great views of the city.  Our conversation ranged from education to politics, from politics to travel,and from hopes for the future to politics.  Christoph was a perfect example of the frustration that people feel in this city.  He is a great guy and nearly always very positive, but he is so tired of living in fear, and behind closed doors.  He longs for a free environment, and I certainly don’t blame him.  

Christoph and I had a great chat and a wonderful meal.  We have made plans to meet again this Friday and I will have an opportunity to meet more of his friends.