"George and I" Chapter 8 (part 1) - The story of a Dog and his Man from operating pool tables in the dangerous South African towns to real estate

Love this quote by Seneca...makes me think about each day

“Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.”

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Umlazi is an African township situated on the outskirts of Durban, on the east coast of South Africa.

 The population of Umlazi is estimated at 419 389. However, Council officials argue that there are approximately over one million residents of Umlazi.

 The area was originally occupied by American missionaries in 1836, but it became an Anglican mission reserve about 20 years later.

 When the British occupied Natal in force in 184, they established a number of native locations for the Zulus.

 Umlazi was one of these -originally called Umlazi new township – it was officially opened to residents in 1965.

 Most of these black people formerly lived in Durban.

 The history of Natal is closely entwined with legendary Zulu warrior-king, Shaka. The story goes the name Umlazi is came about when Shaka and his army passed through the area after a long trek south.

 He wanted to rest, and thirstily drank from a river in the area.

 Shaka found the taste of the water disgusting. saying: "This is not real water but it's bad milk," hence Umlaza (a Zulu word for the fatty layer that rises to the top of unhomogenized milk).

 The area then became known as Umlaza, which was later to evolve to Umlazi.

 It was about noon.

I had attempted to work in Umlazi today but even the best plans sometimes come to naught...

 As I arrived at "Shoe’s" tavern he rushed out, cell phone in one hand clutched to his ear, a handgun in the other.

 "Meesh" (Mitch) he shouted, "Snake ( a notorious gangster in the area) wants to shoot you!"

 "He knows you got money, he wants to rob you, we must go..." he shouted gesturing with cellphone and the 9mm parabellum pistol he had in his hand.

 ”My boys are coming to protect you, I phoned them," he tells me.

 No sooner had he finished than a bakkie (van) pulls into the alley next to the tavern.

 Two men jump out of the front and 3 off the back of the bakkie, all armed with an assortment of weapons - 2 x AK 47's among them.

 "Asihambei Madoda" (let's go men) a small pock-marked man wearing a Chiefs cap shouts.

 Shoe's shouts instructions and three of the men get onto the back of my bakkie (van), covering their weapons with a blanket.

 Shoe's jumps into the front of the other van, shouting “silandele, sizohola indlela (follow us, we will lead the way)" and he roared off in a cloud of dust.

 I dropped the clutch and the wheels spun as the tires battled to find traction, spraying gravel around the yard.

 I hammered through the gears trying to catch up to Shoes,

There was no way I was going to be left behind to face Snakes alone.

 We raced through Umlazi, hooting as we went, people jumping out of our way, chickens squawking as they flew in all directions.

 We raced out, took the highway northbound, and sped on.

 On reaching the Chatsworth turnoff Shoes pulled over to the side of the road and I followed suit.

 "Uzobe ulungile lapha Mlungu"(you will be ok here whiteman) he said.

 "Sizokubona ngolwesihlanu nge-cashup" (we will see you on Friday for the cashup)

 "Shap Mitch, hamba Kahle" (Good, go well Mitch)

 "Shap Shoes, ngiyabonga, hamba kahle" (Great Shoes, and thank you, go well)

George lay happily asleep on the passenger floor next to me as we drove in the direction of Kwamashu to service another tavern.

Just another day on my way to real estate assets...

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See the link to register in the comments below. Make sure you follow the process all the way through so get the notifications