The Pavilion is a symbol of South African wealth and success in the economic growth and its presence on the Global World Market. Located along N3 out of Durban on the way to Johannesburg, this is shopping mall of World class stature which would stand 'shoulder to shoulder' with the best malls around the World. Standing on top of the pavilion however, one is faced with the reall realities of the urban life in South Africa. From the Pavilion one is able to see the economic divide created in the post apartheid South Africa in which few South Africans have grown immensely rich and with millions relagated inot the periphery of consumption in which poverty has become pathological. The coexistence of the urban suburbs and the developing informal settlements is adversorial, with the later blamed for bleeding the high crime levels which target the suburbs.
While it is important to appreciate the impact and levels of crime in urban centres in South Africa, this is in many ways a manifestation of negative economic growth in which there is constant job losses and inceased poverty levels at the bottom. While crime in urban centres is highlighted with much negativity, it is imperative to equally point out here that looking at crime as a survival strategy for people in the lowest economic segments of the population will allow for the development of holistic strategies that would go a long way in positively mitigating against this social ill. Thus crime should in many ways be viewed from the development process and strategies that the country is taking.
NB:
Image courtsey of the Pavilion
The Pavilion is the BEST PLACE TO BE WHEN IN DURBAN. TRY IT AND YOU WILL NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED. I HAVE USED THE NAME ONLY AS A SYMBOL OF SOUTH AFRICA'S GROWTH NOT ITS CREDIBILITY
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