Jo-burg restaurants cash in

Caroline Faraj

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (CNN) -- As some delegates at the Earth Summit sip South Africa's finest wines and eat caviar, others feast on fast food. But they are all in Johannesburg to find ways to help the planet and the poor.

More than 60,000 leaders, officials, non-governmental organisations and journalists at both governmental and civic conferences are here to discuss how to sustain development while alleviating poverty.

But the mannerisms of participants in the governmental conference, held in the high-class suburb of Sandton, do not always match the issues discussed.

IN-DEPTH Global balance: Johannesburg Summit 2002  • CNNArabic.com Earth summit special  Time.com: How to make this a Green Century    FACTS • During 1990s, 2.4% of world's forest destroyed   • World's population to reach 8 billion by 2025   • By 2025, 50% of world's population to face water shortages   • In 1981, fossil fuels generated 86% of energy; today it's 81%     RESOURCES Official site: Johannesburg Summit 2002     QUICKVOTE Will the Johannesburg Summit achieve more than the Rio Earth Summit 10 years ago? Yes No View Results

Delegates are seen lounging and dining in posh restaurants surrounding the conference hall. One restaurant manager commented happily: "This is one of the greatest times for us in terms of business.

"We are working 24 hours and we managed to sell a huge amount of local wine. I wish they could extend the conference for another week."

On the other hand, those at the NGO conference, located in a modest area called Nasrec about 25 kilometres away from Sandton, are seen eating at fast food chains at more reasonable prices.

Many NGOs needed fundraising campaigns to allow their delegates to go to Johannesburg. One woman from Sudan said her village worked for seven months to pay her expenses -- hoping in return the world would offer them assistance.

In some of the conference areas, you hear African music and people wearing traditional dresses and dancing for the cameras.

However, attending the conference, with the packed schedule, it is hard to feel you are in Africa, because all the surrounding areas more western in style.

Most delegates prefer not to be out on the streets late at night, fearing the spiralling crime due to rampant poverty. Some participants had computers and cameras stolen at the onset of the conference.

United Nations organisers and local police provide security. But at least three delegations have been robbed, prompting more stringent measures.

Walking the streets in Johannesburg close to the conference area, you see that all shops and businesses are in some way involved in summit activities.

All hotels in Johannesburg, as well as in nearby cities, are fully booked. Some citizens even thought of renting their houses out.

At least 5,000 volunteers, wearing their traditional clothes, are helping make life easy for delegates. Eight thousand buses and 4,000 vans have been brought in, with $55 million spent on preparations.

Although South Africa tried its best, many participants feel the summit, which runs until September 4, will be a failure, but they say they came anyway for "networking."

"I believe the general atmosphere in both conferences is superficial," said a member of one delegation.

Caroline Faraj is editor of CNNArabic.com