This place comparison explores what is similar and what is different between the suburbs of Birmingham in England and Johannesburg in South Africa.
Birmingham is a city in an area called the Midlands. Cities like Birmingham stretch over a large area of land. It can take a long time to get from the suburbs, the outlying areas of the city, to the city centre.
On the southern tip of the large continent of Africa is South Africa, and a city called Johannesburg. Like Birmingham, Johannesburg has grown very large, with many suburbs.
Nwabisa: Hi, I am Nwabisa, I am 11 years old. I live with my mother my father, and my brother, in Krugersdorp on the outskirts of Johannesburg.
Suliyman: Hello, my name is Sulaiman and I am 10 years old. I live in Spark Hill, Birmingham with my mum, dad, uncle, two brothers and sister. I've got more freedom in the suburbs because there's less traffic.
Near my house there's a really good sweetshop. My favourite types of sweets are sour and fizzy.
Nwabisa: Krugersdorp is 40 minutes away from central Johannesburg. There's less traffic, less people. I can walk around my neighbourhood easily and feel safe.
Sweets for three rand!
Sulaiman: The places nearby where I can meet people, are the park, and the mosque. There's three mosques I go to. We pray and we sometimes talk, and we read the Qur’an. I like going to the local mosques because you know every one and you can just talk to people, you don't have to feel embarrassed or anything like that.
Nwabisa: Every week I go to church. I sing in the church choir and I love singing, because it makes me feel happy. The church is a chance for the whole community to get together, and I can see lots of my friends. I normally go by car. Johannesburg is massive. I don't go there on my own because it's way too busy. Sometimes it's not easy to go there because there's lots of traffic.
Sulaiman: When we are in the city centre we go shopping in the markets. They sell all kinds of clothes and hats. When we go to the Bullring Market, my dad most of the time buys cucumber and potatoes. I like cucumber because most other vegetables are really disgusting.
Nwabisa: My favourite park is very close to my church. I often go there on weekends and after school with my friends.
Sulaiman: These are some of my friends that I play football with. It's really good to have a park nearby because you can always just come and play football with your friends whenever you want.
Nwabisa: Everyone lives close by and so it's easy for us to go and play.
Sulaiman: I've got more freedom in the suburbs because there's a lot of space and the playgrounds are much bigger.
Nwabisa: The thing that I liked to do in Krugersdorp is to be outdoors because I feel free. I get to play with my roller-skates and with my friends.
Video summary
This short film was first published in 2018.
Download/print a transcript of the video.
Sulaiman and Nwabisa explore the similarities and differences living in the suburbs of two large cities: Birmingham and Johannesburg.
They describe some of the advantages of living in a quieter part of the city, with less traffic and a greater sense of community.
Both feel that they have more freedom living in the suburbs, but do also enjoy having access to the city centre, which is both more hectic and more exciting.
Sulaiman takes us to the local mosque he visits daily with his dad and brothers.
Nwabisa takes us to her church on Sunday, where she sings with many other people in the community.
Together the two children’s lives highlight the cultural and geographical similarities and differences of two distinct places.
This clip was originally broadcast as part of the series: Your World.
Teacher Notes
Pupils could make lists of the similarities and differences between Birmingham and Johannesburg.
How do people tend to get around? What is meant by the term suburb?
What is different about the suburbs to the city centre?
Pupils could discuss the pros and cons of living in a suburb or a city centre.
This clip is relevant for teaching Geography at KS1 and KS2 in England, Progression Step 2 and 3 in Wales, Early and 1st level and 2nd Level in Scotland and Foundation and KS1 in Northern Ireland.
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