Dlala Nja - Just Play



Checking out the Skyline

There are some young leaders at the Iconic Ponte Tower in Hillbrow, they are a force of transformation using tourism as a catalyst for change. They run Dlala nje a place that allows children living in a congested inner city to be kids and play in a safe environment.  The business model is rather holistic as they also run tours that take people into the heart of the inner city to understand the famous skyline that makes Jo’burg the city of Gold.

Walking through Yeoville with the Bunny

The tours give one insight into the history of Hillbrow, Yeoville and Berea.  You get to see the place, walk with the people and see how it’s evolved.  You are given the opportunity to dispel society’s preconceived ideas and make up your own mind about these suburbs, whilst enjoying the delicacies that have been brought about by this melting pot of African cultures.

Viva Africa

 

Often when people venture into these suburbs they worry about their safety, well you have nothing to worry about.  Dlala Nje tours are well-known and respected amongst the community. Nickolaus is a great navigator as he leads you through the streets, bars, market and restaurants. 

Soccer keeping everyone entertained

The people are also very welcoming; we arrived at a Congolese bar to find men deeply engrossed in a soccer game taking place in Congo.  30 minutes later the same men were doing the Kwasa Kwasa after their team won the match,  it was time for all of us to hit the dance floor in celebration of the win.   For me it’s important that I take time to remove myself from my comfort zones and meet people from different walks of life, it gives me the opportunity to learn something new and also be part of a greater movement that’s creating good throughout the city of Jo’burg.

Taking some time to explore the market.

We explored Yeoville market that offers a large variety of produce from all over the African continent from yams to plantain you are bound to find it here.  After we had all walked the market and bought anything we fancied we headed to the Fish Lady for supper.   After being served lip-smacking fish and Chips cooked in Cameroonian fashion, I knew I would be coming back for more.

A view from rock bottom - Ponte, Hillbrow

Our tour ended off at the bottom or rather rock bottom of Ponte Towers staring at the Sky.  Wondering what people have been asking themselves for years; why would an architect build a hollow "toilet roll” building like this?  

Support responsible tourism by supporting guided tours like Dlala Nje, they not only changing perceptions but allowing you to play in back grounds you wouldn’t normally play in.   

Oh Fudge! I'm Locked in

 

33F! I won’t be forgetting that seat number very soon, in fact if I can avoid it all together I think it would be a brilliant idea.   I always prefer the window seat over the isle or the middle because let’s face it, it’s better than being sandwiched between two people, trying to muscle my way onto the arm rest.   My idea of tickling my funny bone does not involve being elbowed by the food trolley as it chugs past the isle seat.  So when I requested a window seat I had no idea it would be at the tail end of the plane.  Firstly I think this seat should come with a disclaimer for slow coaches. That should you get out at a relaxed pace, you might find yourself locked within the terminal.

When I discovered that the door to the arrivals section was locked, I ran back to the aircraft in search of help.  Luckily I was just in time, I caught the crew just as they were about to Disembark. 

Shouting “guys don’t leave I’ve been locked in I think we should fly to Mauritius”  Nothing like a bit of humour to turn a situation around and the best part was the crew played along as they contacted the authorities to open the door for me. 

From the Captain to the Flight Attendant,
all of them were brilliant at making sure I was taken care of.
 

 

I was really impressed with the whole team, not only did they entertain my jokes they also happily took selfies with me as we passed time waiting for the door to be opened.  In the age of selfie’s (Yes it’s the age of selfies when you have people dying in the name of selfies, it qualifies) getting some rocking pictures of the lady from seat 33F was certainly in order. 

That's Captain NomadicMichelle for you 

It's these random moments that make travelling an adventure, and having people to turn what could have been a very frustrating moment into a memory is priceless.   A huge Thank you to Captain Geyser and his team for excellent service and going the extra mile.