Winter morning in Rosebank, Johannesburg

Rosebank must be one of the few places in South Africa that is actively 'Under Construction'. I used to work in Rosebank in Bierman Road, during the time of the 'one way detour', and just two years later certain precincts have become well nigh unrecognisable.

Opposite the Gautrain Station is a veritable amphitheatre of new buildings, including a new Holiday Inn. Meanwhile, just 15 kilometres away, central Johannesburg - parts of it certainly - seem to be crumbling and disintegrating. Gutted shells of building everywhere.

It's possible that the Gautrain may bring life back into the centre city. I hope so - it's still got a lot going for it. Some of South Africa's most beautiful old buildings for a start.  But Johannesburg still faces major problems in terms of integrating its public transport.  The Gautrain is a good start, but more needs to be done in terms of setting up public transport infrastructure.