The majestic Hillbrow tower and the beautiful circular building informally refered to as Vodacom mark the landscape of this beautiful city with pride. This is Johannesburg, the city of gold. Of course, there is an ugly side of this world-reknowned city, but this is not always the order of the day, for city life can be as beautiful as its skyscrappers that cover the hilly landscape.

It is here that you find millions of people from totaly different backgrounds brushing shoulders and even sharing jokes. Different cultures blend into one another. giving birth to a new and uniquely Johannesburg culture.

My Nigerian friend laughs his lungs out when he finds me munching my traditional delicacy 'uphuthu'. ''hey man, what's that'' He usually asks still in stitches. ''Come and taste our stuff, you will love it'' he invites. I pay him a visit and find him preparing a dish that leaves me gasping for breath with surprise. ''And what is that supposed to be'' I ask, still amazed. ''Igusi'' he says with obvious pride, scooping some for me to taste. I think twice and finally brave a mouthful, still uncertain. The taste forces me to take yet another scoop, for the stuff is so delicious than it appears to the eye. He laughs heartily again as he dishes out the food and we sit down to eat. Among his favourite food now is our traditional 'uphuthu' which he has learnt to cook so well. Such is way of life in Johannesburg, the famous city of gold.

Life is brisk and the people work really hard, some formally employed and some hawking different wares in the busy streets. The road network is superb, almost matching  first-world starndards.

Yes, this is Johannesburg, the wonderful city of gold.

PETROS M NGUBO