At first sight

1. Physical appearance

We drive on a dirt road with many loose stones rolling under the wheels. We get to a mud house where the first of us leave the bakkie to go explore Hlalani. There are many people walking on the dirt road, squinting as they look into the bakkie with curiosity and suspicion. Many of the houses have outside toilets and water tanks. The houses are painted all the colours of the rainbow. Yellowed ANC posters wave like flags on the electricity poles. There are many forms of building material lying around; bricks, timber and sink plates. Dogs, goats and donkeys run around with the children in the street. There are peach trees with friendly pink blossoms among the dirt and decay. Another fascinating aspect is how the very poor and the more affluent live side by side. There are badly maintained houses standing next to more sturdy, aesthetically pleasing houses. A strong scent of wood and fire fills my nostrils as we climb out the bakkie to talk to the people.

2. We went to the school, and from there we were directed to other people’s houses. We spoke to a man who represents the ANC and is seen to be a community leader. We also speak to people in the street. We went to the tavern and took note of other informal get together places are, for example the spaza shop, a hair salon and so forth.

3. key people: Sipho has all the contact details. I gave my number to the one community leader who will sms me when they have a community meeting.

4. Issues: crimes like rape, murder, break-ins, robberies. The ANC Youth League’s regional secretary, Oscar Dondashe was shot dead by robbers the last Sunday of the festival over a cell phone. (The community leader has the newspaper clipping stuck against his living room wall). The police are inadequate, late, and not effective. The many taverns are also identified as a source of crime.

Mobile police stations and more visible policemen have been requested from the police, without any success.