Architecture of Johannesburg

This morning we collected Gavin's mom and took her to the offices of her health insurance company. It was impossible to resolve her queries by phone as its one of those automated systems that has you in a loop dialling 1 for this and dialling 2 for that so it was best to go see a consultant at their offices, which seems to be the normal way to resolve queries here. When we got there we were told that department was not working today as there was a burst water pipe in the area but they would find someone who could help us! (No toilets could be used so I suppose it was a good excuse to shut the department!) We did manage to resolve all her queries and get them to correct her address so she can now get statements. 

I should explain that Gavin's mother is no longer able to drive and there is no public transport system here, so it becomes a problem to get around. Even if there were buses I doubt she could walk to a bus stop and climb up the stairs in to a bus, as her severe arthritis means she has to walk very slowly aided by a walker. To go anywhere she has to rely on lifts from friends. Our visit has really been about getting her to banks and other places to resolve her queries so she is setup going forward. She does not have access to the internet and besides would not know how to use it, so online banking is not possible for her. Gavin has now set up online banking on her account that he and his brother will use on their own computers to pay her doctors bills and accounts. 

The new building for the head office of the health insurance company has just been completed and it is an architectural marvel. This is some of the building, it was too large to get all of it in the photo.

We met a friend for a quick lunch which was lovely, it was so good to see her again. We then returned to the hotel to relax as there was no point taking Gavin's mom home again as the burst water pipe meant she had no water at her home either - somehow the hotel had water so it was better to be there. This is Africa after all so power cuts and no water supply are all part of a normal day here!

Tonight Gavin and I are meeting my brother for supper which will be lovely. It's just a pity that I won't be seeing my sister too as she lives in Durban which we don't have time to go to on this trip.

An extra of Nelson Mandela Square