Dreamride on Youth Day

After a breakaway at my grandfather's Game Lodge in the Madikwe Game reserve near the Botswanna border it so happened that me and my three year old son went home with my grandfather. Because he lives in Randburg and Delmas is quite out of his way, I offered to be dropped off at the Gautrain station in Sandton form where me and my boy took the train to the airport.

It was quite a mission to handle two suitcases and an energetic three year old in the long cues waiting outside the station. However, an official must have seen that I am struggling. He came up to me and took us right to the ticket office from where we took the escalators to the train. In no time we sat in a train that trumped my wildest expectations. The train is clean and world class in every way (I've been on many trains in Europe and the UK). The train was dead centre on time. The ride was smooth and fast and in 14 minutes we arrived at OR Tambo airport. But the real treat wasn't the quality of the train ride but the vibe on the train. There was an air of excitement tangible. Everybody smiled. Opposite us sat a obviously wealthy black couple. Before I knew it my son went and sat right on their laps. I took a picture. I also immortalised this experience in my memory. It was like having a glimpse of the future, of a non-racial and efficient society that buried the past and a society where a great many different people live alongside each other in harmony.

I have hope for my country! If you don't take a ride on the Gautrain and get a glimpse of what our nation is capable of!