It is what it is

One day I woke up and realised that no matter where I go, there will never be a place as exciting and amazing as Tembisa.

You wake up in the morning, step outside to the streets to go to work or school, and there is so much going on.

How about we document the energy at the taxi ranks and everywhere from shot lefts, shot rights to train stations? Imagine watching a reality television show about four to five Tembisan youngsters who are just not waiting for anyone to do things for them, but who are just out there making major moves.

That would be great indeed!

Anyway, enough dreaming.

In Tembisa, every morning it starts with the first local taxis at around half past three in the morning, followed by youngsters addicted to nyaope stopping taxis for locals from six, often from five. It ends around 11pm with the taxi driver who is just too tired to care.

The first local taxis cater for those who catch the first and second trains for the day, as well as those coming from night shifts to transport them home.

Their stories are different to those who catch trains after five, but you will be told that crimes are high at those times and if you are not vigilant, you might not make it to work alive. It is a sad reality that it is not always easy to run away from. It is what it is.

Real morning rush-hour starts just after 5am; you should see the busiest streets and the traffic at the current road-works in Phomolong. It is nightmare.

“I am so tired of traffic, I think it is high time we start working from home,” says one of my closest friend. Some of our work, though, is impossible to complete at home as it needs machinery and manpower, not one person.

So what is your morning story? Traffic as well, or crime?