JOHANNESBURG, South Africa’s largest city, experienced an extraordinary event on Monday as snowfall blanketed the city, surprising residents and captivating children who saw snow for the first time. While snow is not uncommon in certain parts of South Africa during the southern hemisphere winter months between June and August, Johannesburg had not witnessed snow since August 2012.
The sight of snowflakes falling brought joy and excitement to the city’s inhabitants. Jennifer Banda, who posed for a photo on Nelson Mandela Square in the financial district, shared her delight, saying, ‘Eleven years down the line, it’s exciting that we have snow.’ She fondly recalled being pregnant during the last snowfall.
In the suburb of Brackenhurst, Reuters captured images of children joyfully engaging in classic winter activities such as making snowballs and creating snow angels on their school grounds.
However, for some individuals like delivery driver Chenjerai Murape, the snow presented challenges. Murape faced difficulty starting his motorbike due to the cold weather, explaining, ‘I’m trying to warm the engine so that it can start … otherwise I will kick the bike all day.’
The South African Weather Service issued warnings due to the arrival of a cold front that affected Gauteng province, encompassing Johannesburg and the capital city of Pretoria. The wintry weather also extended to Mpumalanga province, known for its coal belt and housing several power stations operated by the struggling utility company, Eskom.
The unexpected snowfall brought a mix of wonder and inconvenience to Johannesburg, creating a memorable and unique experience for residents in a city not accustomed to such wintry conditions.
(with Reuters)
