Reframe views of fraught places

Look beyond the reputations of suburbs known for gangsterism and gun violence and you'll find a resilient community grounded in the ethics of care

- Emmanuel Oboh

While I was away for my graduation in Johannesburg, I found myself in conversation with a group of friends.

Our discussion turned to Westbury, a neighbourhood in Johannesburg associated with crime, frequent gun violence and entrenched gang activity. In an effort to present the community in a more positive light, someone remarked that they had watched a video in which someone said; "Westbury is a good place if you look beyond the crime, the gunshots, and the insecurity."

I remember responding with a quiet irony: it is precisely those very conditions — those we are asked to "look beyond" - that have shaped the perception of Westbury as unsafe and burdened with a negative reputation.

I did not appreciate the implications of that exchange. On reflection, the same observation can be made about Cloetesville, in the Stellenbosch area, which has similarly become associated with robberies and gang-related violence, and consequently has a troubled reputation.

The words of the person who urged us to "look beyond" the crime and gang-related issues of Westbury have begun to acquire new meaning for me as I navigate life in Cloetesville. My reflections began with the family I live with, who consistently ensure my safety. They not only watch over my comings and goings but also introduce me to members of the local community with the assurance that, should I ever find myself in distress, I would have people to call upon for assistance. Their care extends to advising me on which routes to use at certain times of the day and, on occasion, even offering to drive me to my destination to minimise risk.