Spring has officially arrived and nature is going through a time of renewal.
It’s a time to throw off the cold shackles of winter and look to all the new life blooming around us.
A time to stop, smell the flowers and take joy in our surroundings.
The warmer weather also brings, for many people, a brighter outlook on life and the world (Springs) around them.
With this in mind, while driving around Springs on Friday, I took a look at all this renewal and the positives we have in our town and realised, once again, if you allow yourself to forget, even for just a few minutes, about water, electricity and service delivery issues, you start to appreciate that Springs has a lot to offer her residents.
It is a town with an old and rich history which has played a valuable part in the development of the East Rand and brought great riches to the area.
However, for me, the beauty of Springs is, and always has been, epitomised by a single building rather than in the waxing and waning of the seasons.
This building always reminds me of everything that is great about the town – the charm of its history, friendly people, strong community connections and the resilience of the people who have stayed in this once booming mining town despite much of its original industry either closing or moving towards Johannesburg.
And to top it all off, my favourite structure isn’t even one of our famed art deco buildings.
The single thing I love most in Springs is the Saint Basil Church Hellenic Community Springs in Achilles Street.
Not because I have any ties to the church but because it encompasses everything that is wonderful about our hamlet on the far East Rand.
If you haven’t driven past and seen this imposing, yet welcoming building you really should.
The Saint Basil Church offers passersby a glimpse of the beauty of our town as well as the strength of our community.
The red brick building speaks to me (although I have never been inside) with its masculine, solid structure which is softened by the elegance and more feminine rounded windows and arches – perfectly combining showing off Springs’ ying and yan, and how best to celebrate and draw from the uniqueness of everyone living and working in Springs.
Simply put, this church brings all the best aspects of Springs together in one iconic structure.
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