Parle Mag
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Diddy Trial
  • Lifestyle
  • Interviews
  • Contact Us
  • Team Parlé
  • Podcast
  • Advertising
Facebook 0 Likes
Twitter 0 Followers
Instagram 0 Followers
Pinterest 0 Followers
LinkedIn 0
Reddit 0 Subscribers
TikTok 0
0
0
0
0
0
Parle Mag
Subscribe
Parle Mag
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Books
    • Celebrity
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Sports
    • Television News
  • Diddy Trial
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty
    • Business
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Op-Ed
    • Politics
    • Relationships
    • Travel
  • Interviews
Featured Categories
black countries
About Parlé
4 Posts
View Posts
Taye Diggs reads a book in an episode of private practice.
About Parle Magazine
4 Posts
View Posts
About the Editor
3 Posts
View Posts
Ad Test
1 Posts
View Posts
Posts
  • former personal assistant testifies 1
    Day 27 of the Diddy Trial: Former Personal Assistant Testifies, Brings Inside Information
    • June 20, 2025
  • Ashanti net worth 2
    Over Two Decades of Success: What The Net Worth of Ashanti?
    • June 19, 2025
  • cé Business Ventures What Happened to House Of Deréon 3
    Beyoncé Business Ventures: What Happened to House Of Deréon?
    • June 19, 2025
  • former personal assistant testifies

    Day 27 of the Diddy Trial: Former Personal Assistant Testifies, Brings Inside Information

    • June 20, 2025
    View Post
  • Ashanti net worth

    Over Two Decades of Success: What The Net Worth of Ashanti?

    • June 19, 2025
    View Post
  • cé Business Ventures What Happened to House Of Deréon

    Beyoncé Business Ventures: What Happened to House Of Deréon?

    • June 19, 2025
    View Post
  • Travel

From Atlanta, Georgia to Johannesburg, South Africa – Letter One

  • April 13, 2015
  • G. Anthony Knowles
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

In January of 2015, I relocated from Atlanta, Georgia to Johannesburg, South Africa. This move was not motivated by the desire for a personal pilgrimage to the motherland. The move was purely business related. However, since my arrival I have learned a lot about the new country of my residence. First, I must start off by saying that if you have never moved between countries, it’s an intimidating proposition and a very challenging experience. There are so many new encounters every day as you acclimate to your new home and “at times” you are forced to forget the norms of your previous home. More importantly, there is no comparison between the United States and South Africa. Each culture possesses its uniqueness and each country’s political, communal, legal and societal framework is vastly different. Since arriving here in South Africa I have been impressed with many aspects of its progress since the days of Apartheid. Most of the country boosts a multiracial society that is as refreshing as it is welcomed by a US expatriate such as me. However, there still exist multiple townships across the city of Johannesburg that severely reflect the pain of it’s past.
Through my company, I recently sponsored a Health and Wellness charity event in Tembisa, Johannesburg. Tembisa is a large township situated to the north of Kempton Park on the East Rand, Gauteng, South Africa. It was initially established in 1957. The name Tembisa comes from the Zulu word “thembisa” meaning “promise.” The township came into formation as the early black settlers of Johannesburg were being evicted. Unfortunately, what started out as a place of promise, has rapidly descended into one of the more impoverish areas in Johannesburg. My company’s purpose for being there was to continue to offer the hope that once existed.

Tembisa
Image from Tembisa, Johannesburg

Our event was focused on health through physical fitness. To that end, we sponsored a soccer competition between local residents and members of my team. As I entered the township I was surprised at what awaited me. From dilapidated housing, undeveloped streets, refuse scattered across the sidewalks and a general sense of loss, it was a stark reminder of the structural deficiency caused by the Apartheid regime and the challenges still in front of the democratically elected Black government (ANC). Nevertheless, as the soccer competition began the energy among the crowd changed my mood. As the crowd watched their team easily defeat my team, their youthful, optimistic attitude filled the arena. I smiled as they cheered loudly for the home team and danced as the scores piled on. I felt a sense of real connection between them and my history as a Black American. Although raised in the West Indies, I was a child of the 70’s in Miami, Florida. I remember watching hopeful Black American’s find happiness and joy in every opportunity they could. Although, their present plight seemed daunting, Black Americans found spaces of peace and enjoyment whenever possible.. This attitude did not change the reality of the present. However, it offered a spiritual push towards the possible. The same is true of the impoverish sections of Johannesburg. There remains an organic sense of the conceivable; and through hard work it can become a reality.

Conversely, the entitled sections of Johannesburg exude opulence. From contemporary estate homes, staffed with domestic workers, to fashionable shopping malls featuring stores like Louis Vuitton and Prada, the richness of the country cannot be in doubt. In 2013 an annual report released by an Oxford based wealth consultancy firm, showed that Johannesburg had 23, 400 millionaires. Additionally, four South African cities were placed in the top 10 of the rankings and at 48, 800 individuals, the country topped the list of countries with millionaires across the continent in 2013. The results from the report reflected a 9 percent growth of millionaires from 2011. For me, therein lays the contrast. The collision of sections of wealth against the backdrop of townships filled with utter desolation is way too stark and equally real. Within 20 minutes you can drive from a magnificent mall in Johannesburg and then enter into a disadvantaged part of the city that struggles to contain the daily cases of murder, rape and individual assaults. However, I do not want to paint a bleak picture. Although the country of South Africa leads the world in major crimes, the city of Johannesburg is one of its safest cities. Nevertheless, of all of its cities, the contrast between the rich and the poor is easily visible and therefore more challenging given its potential for volatility.

Advertisement

Today, now three months into my South African experience, I am eager to learn more. I have no idea of what the future holds but I look forward to the continuing education. For now, this is just letter number one from Johannesburg. Letter two is on its way!
GA Knowles and the Lion

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • Johannesburg
  • South Africa
  • Tembisa
  • travel
G. Anthony Knowles

My name is G. Thomas Knowles. I was born in Florida yet spent ten years living in Kingston, Jamaica where I was partially raised by my grandparents. Over the last 25 years, I have traveled the world implementing logistics strategies and innovative solutions to complex distribution operations challenges.   Full Bio: https://parlemag.com/2012/12/g-anthony-knowles/

Previous Article
  • Entertainment News
  • Interviews
  • Music

MURS Talks New Album, ‘Have A Nice Life’ & Single “No More Control”

  • April 12, 2015
  • Kevin Benoit
View Post
Next Article
Diamond Strawberry Interview
  • Celebrity
  • Entertainment News
  • Interviews
  • TV

Diamond Strawberry Gets Candid About Her Image, Rich Dollaz & Jhonni Blaze in Interview

  • April 13, 2015
  • Kevin Benoit
View Post
You May Also Like
Best Cities For A Girl Trip
View Post
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel

The Top 5 Cities To Travel To For A Girls Trip

  • Stacey Mickles
  • May 12, 2025
Las Vegas New York
View Post
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel

Introducing You To Las Vegas, Nevada

  • Team Parle
  • May 4, 2025
must attend Black cultural festivals
View Post
  • Lifestyle
  • Op-Ed
  • Travel

Must-Attend Black Cultural Festivals Around the World

  • Trent Lucas
  • April 20, 2025
Cities In France
View Post
  • Lifestyle
  • Op-Ed
  • Travel

Three Cities You Must Visit In France If You’re Traveling To Europe

  • Nia Bennett
  • April 7, 2025
must try New Orleans restaurants
View Post
  • Food & Beverage
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel

13 Must Visit Foodie Spots in New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Tomeka Allgood
  • April 5, 2025
Cities for Black Professionals
View Post
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel

Global Destinations: Top 10 Cities Where Black Professionals Excel

  • Trent Lucas
  • March 25, 2025
Nearest Green Distillery Experience
View Post
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel

The Nearest Green Distillery Experience: Where Live Music, History, & Whiskey Intertwine

  • Tomeka Allgood
  • January 13, 2025
National Museum of African American Music lobby
View Post
  • Lifestyle
  • Op-Ed
  • Travel

A Day Trip to Nashville’s National Museum of African American Music

  • Tomeka Allgood
  • November 24, 2024

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts
  • Kai Cenat net worth
    The Rise of Kai Cenat, And His Impressive Net Worth
    • June 19, 2025
  • celebrity owned restaurants
    Side Quests: Eight Black Celebrity-Owned Restaurants Across The Country
    • June 19, 2025
  • K Camp Kiss 6 Tour
    K Camp Announces 27-City ‘Kiss 6’ Tour, Beginning In August
    • June 18, 2025
Categories
Entertainment News
5732 Posts
View Posts
Interviews
860 Posts
View Posts
Lifestyle
2741 Posts
View Posts
Featured Posts
  • former personal assistant testifies 1
    Day 27 of the Diddy Trial: Former Personal Assistant Testifies, Brings Inside Information
    • June 20, 2025
  • Ashanti net worth 2
    Over Two Decades of Success: What The Net Worth of Ashanti?
    • June 19, 2025
  • cé Business Ventures What Happened to House Of Deréon 3
    Beyoncé Business Ventures: What Happened to House Of Deréon?
    • June 19, 2025
  • Kai Cenat net worth 4
    The Rise of Kai Cenat, And His Impressive Net Worth
    • June 19, 2025
  • celebrity owned restaurants 5
    Side Quests: Eight Black Celebrity-Owned Restaurants Across The Country
    • June 19, 2025

RSS Parle Mag

  • Day 27 of the Diddy Trial: Former Personal Assistant Testifies, Brings Inside Information
  • Over Two Decades of Success: What The Net Worth of Ashanti?
  • Beyoncé Business Ventures: What Happened to House Of Deréon?
  • The Rise of Kai Cenat, And His Impressive Net Worth
  • Side Quests: Eight Black Celebrity-Owned Restaurants Across The Country
Parle Mag
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Team Parlé
  • Podcast
  • Advertising
  • Parle Endeavors
  • Parle New York
  • Privacy Policy
parlemag.com - The Voice of The Culture

Input your search keywords and press Enter.