South Africans are building alternatives to public services
When the government fails, people fend for themselves
JOHANNESBURG CLAIMS to be the largest city in the world that is not built on a coast, river or lake. But geography is no concern for the couples steering pedalos or the toddlers zooming down slides at the “lagoon”, a 300m stretch of watery fun that opened in September at Steyn City, the largest private estate in South Africa. Situated in the north of Johannesburg, Steyn City has shops, a school, generators, a petrol station, golf, 50km of biking trails, fishing dams, 24-hour security and a dinosaur-themed playground. There is even a helipad; but residents need never leave.
This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “The parallel state”
Middle East & Africa March 5th 2022
From the March 5th 2022 edition
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