Why I believe in Africa’s booming economy

If you need a holiday and like chilly temperatures, South Africa in August is an ideal choice – whether you want to eat, shop or immerse yourself in African culture while being in a place you could call home in a heartbeat.

After a four-hour flight, 3,074 km away from Mauritius, I landed at O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, one of the busiest on the continent, with a passenger traffic of around 19 million people yearly. Clint Borgen, founder of The Borgen Project, an organization working to bring U.S. political attention to global poverty, once said that “when overseas, you learn more about your own country than you do about the place you’re visiting.” This was partly what I was about to experience, not that far from home and the usual concerns of the Mauritian economy, with petrol prices and national heroes making the newspaper headlines or local people complaining about the (increasingly) failing leadership of their government.

As a fresh-off-the-plane tourist, I thus had the opportunity to reconfirm that Mauritian hospitality is truly unique when the group I was travelling with had to tip airport personnel so that they would show us the way to a lift which was in working order. Then, while on a rumbly flight to Durban – my final destination for the day – aboard a low-cost airline, I became almost nostalgic for our very comfortable national carrier, Air Mauritius. However, you should never judge a book by its cover: South Africa has so much to offer and teach. Watching the Durban landscape from my seat window, I was surprised by the greenery – yes, they grow sugar cane –, and bowled over by the symmetry of the architecture around.

Steeped in a mix of cultures with a strong Indian influence, you could easily go unnoticed in Durban, except if you are chatting in Creole and giggling all the time, which will prompt curious but cheery people to ask you where you are from. And when you’re in town, make sure you try Durban’s signature dish, the “Bunny Chow”, which consists of a hollowed out loaf filled with curry. Personally, I’ve been severely reprimanded for having given it a miss.

If the posh design of the streets and the tall buildings give an air of New York to the largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal and almost make you expectant to see Carrie Bradshaw cross in front of you, the unique flavour of South Africa quickly takes over. Head over to the Moses Mabhida Stadium if you are an adventure junkie ready to try an 80-metre-high bungee jump. Or if you love the sea as much as I do, then uShaka Marine World is the sweet spot for you, where you will be able to look at and pose with dolphins, seals and penguins or engage in shark cage diving.

After a day well spent at uShaka, it was time to get a glimpse of South African nightlife. If you are in town on a Wednesday night and in the mood for cheeky drinks in a cosy atmosphere, Dropkick Murphy’s is quite the affair. The Love Potion shooter is highly recommended to unwind with a touch of smoky mystery while the Rotten Apple and Black Forest shots, both excellent, do justice to the name “Dropkick”. Enough said.

Gateway Theatre of Shopping, the largest mall in the Southern Hemisphere, was our destination on the next day, fuelled by the collective spirit of six girlfriends; at the risk of sounding sexist. One day was certainly not enough and I gladly skipped lunch to maximize my shopping time but did manage to indulge in a heavenly Häagen-Dazs scoop of dark Belgian chocolate ice cream.

To me, each city is a country in itself on Mandela’s earth. Pretoria, known as the administrative capital of South Africa and which serves as the seat of the executive branch of government, had a more homely feel to it. If you are drawn to academia and research, Pretoria fits the bill, boasting three universities and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research as well as the South African Bureau of Standards.

We were however on the lookout for thrills and set out directly for Gold Reef City, located in Ormonde, Johannesburg, as soon as our flight from Durban landed, before driving to Pretoria.

Gold Reef City, a theme and entertainment park, has one of the country’s fastest and biggest thrill rides with fear factors sometimes reaching 10 on a level of 10. Somewhere between getting twisted and toppled, seeing the world 360 degrees upside down, screaming and laughing, you will realize that this might just be the best way to unwind and reconnect with your inner child. And why not, even empty your mind to simply feel alive – the most elementary right of all. You will for sure have understood it, Gold Reef City is a must-see, must-experience place.

On the other hand, Sun City, at about two hours’ drive from Johannesburg, could be disappointing, especially if you are there for a single day. The luxury resort has been built for stays longer than two days, with a host of relaxing activities such as golfing, game viewing and water sports. Winter was perhaps not the best season to be there as most of the people were shying away from water activities, even though the sun chose to be scorching. Nevertheless, our group managed to live hilarious moments, including parrot holding and a cheesecake theft by monkeys, as well as momentary wins at the casino, which is Sun City’s flagship attraction.

On Sunday, while the rest of my group chose to head out for a typical South African must-do activity, safari, I preferred to go sightseeing in Pretoria, with family friends. I must admit, though, that my six travel companions came back from their expedition visibly in high spirits after having come across giraffes, lions and other wild animals of the African savanna. As for me, my stopovers on that day comprised the Voortrekker Monument, a massive granite structure raised in memory of the Voortrekkers (Afrikaans and Dutch for ‘pioneers’), who left the Cape Colony between 1835 and 1854. We then went to the Union Buildings, that house South Africa’s presidency and constitute the official seat of government. What is more, the place is ideal to catch panoramic views of Pretoria and buy quirky souvenirs. Afterwards, we visited Freedom Park, which retraces the country’s history beginning from 3.6 billion years ago and also teaches you about how existence came to be, according to African legend. It will instruct you a tad about bomb making as well!

A week sounds like a lot and yet elapses in the blink of an eye, especially if three days out of it are spent airborne in a plane. American writer George Ade said that the time to enjoy a European tour is about three weeks after you unpack. I think this might just be the case for South Africa. The hospitality was amazing in most places. The safety was questionable in some. The shopping was extraordinary, since August is sales period and women’s month in South Africa: double bonus for the ladies. But of course, this is nothing new to you, dear experienced reader.

On a sober note, visiting South Africa made me believe in the African Eldorado so many investors and businessmen talk about. While the South African economy could do with rosier figures right now, you can see the change taking place. The malls are thriving with more than just foot court; consumerism is rife and innovative… The big African revolution has already started within South Africa, the continent’s economic powerhouse.

If I had to describe South Africa in a word, it would be “twice”. Plan for twice as many days you think you would want, twice as much the money you would spend, twice as big an (empty) suitcase and twice as less prejudice you already have about an African country emerging from apartheid.