The Street Formerly Known As...

I am sometimes confused. And with more than 100 street names changed in Durban I am more so. In some places the old names are still up below the new names. In other places only the new names are present. People have taken to spray painting over the new names in black, leavingmeeven more confused.

One thing I know is that this is my land and my home.

PS This is a picture of Dr Pixley Kaseme Street formerly West Street in the Durban city centre.

Che Geuvarra Road

With some weird pomp and ceremony, and Che Geuvarra's daughter and grandson present the City of Durban officially changed Moore Road to Che Geuvarra Road.

I was a little confused as I travel on the said road every day. It has been named Che Geuvarra for some time now so why the song and dance? Well that is a good question!?

And I still wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

A car under the trees

I was rushing about today, my 4th or 5th trip to school when I finally opened my eyes. And there framed in the cars wind screen was this picture. Well, the horizontal version of it! I hope I have not been driving around with my eyes wide shut for too long.

Hides in the City

A freshly skinned cow hide is layed out to dry on the pavement in Durban. It will be used to make traditional Zulu instruments, weapons and garments in an old cinema complex near to the port.

More pictures to come.

Standing on the corner

I spend much time sitting and waiting for things to happen. It is a part of my job which sometimes frustrates me as was the case on Friday. I was waiting on a street corner for striking civil servants to round the corner down the road. And I waited.

I was a little irritated as I had things to do, people to see. The usual story, and since giving up smoking four or five years ago these waits have become a little more difficult. I miss the street vendors in Cape Town selling packets of peanuts. It is a Cape Town phenomenon I think. Peanuts have replaced cigarettes during those long waits outside court or in times of observing African time.

No protestors and no peanuts. Bother.

I think to myself how nice it would be to wonder the streets and photograph life happening in front of me. But I have to wait. I could do that while I wait?

My wait yielded a picture which I am very happy with. And then the striking marchers arrive and it's back to work. Couldn't they have taken just a little longer?