THE SYMPHONY: Why I Love Dubai

I have been coming to Dubai since 2005 — back when it was sand, cranes, and possibility everywhere. Even then, there was an infectious buzz in the air. I remember hoping, almost naively, if only our President or a few Ministers could come here and catch this bug. I truly believed that might happen.

Two years later, I passed through Dubai again en route to Orlando, Florida. At the time, I was pregnant with my son, who is now 19 years old. Life moved on, and years passed before we returned in 2018, after yet another exhausting trip to the United States. That time, we only caught a glimpse of the marvel — enough to intrigue, but not enough to fully absorb.

When I returned in 2022, I was completely in awe. At moments, I could not distinguish whether I was in Miami or New York. Parts of Dubai felt like Hollywood blended with the very best of the United States — yet somehow more efficient, more intentional. When I travelled back home, I struggled to explain the scale of advancement. The saddest part was that I couldn’t point to anything comparable back home. If anything, we were dealing with limited power supply and stalled progress.

My dream of our leadership mimicking the UAE’s development trajectory was not to be.

Today, Dubai stands as a global hub of entrepreneurship and ambition — a place of luxury for those who dare to dream. If you can envision it, you can do it here. Even the debilitating heat does not discourage the millions who descend upon this city year after year.

One thing I had never done before was experience Dubai in peak season — December. I imagined the weather would be more tolerable, and indeed it was. Their winter feels like our summer: simply perfect.

I had always wanted to see the lighting spectacle at the Burj Khalifa — and by sheer fluke, we had front-row seats. After walking barely a fifth of the Dubai Mall, we stopped to rest by the man-made lake. Suddenly, the water feature came alive, followed by a breathtaking light show cascading up the tallest building in the world. Luck was truly on our side.

What made it even more special was sharing these moments with family. I remember telling my youngest son what a marvel all of this is — that it all happened within his short lifetime. It puts progress into perspective.

I did wonder whether Dubai would be able to cope with the influx of visitors in the coming years. People are arriving in droves. A friend of mine, Lola, who lives in Dubai, simply replied: “They surely will.” Any challenge you can foresee, they’ve likely already solved for it — or are busy implementing the fix.

Leaving the Mall, Uber was out of the question due to traffic congestion, so we opted for the Metro. It took us five attempts to gain entry. Rush hour, combined with festive-season crowds, makes riding the Metro from Dubai Mall at 7pm quite the experience — but still impressively organised.

The following day, we went dune bashing, followed by dinner in the desert. I recalled it being more thrilling years ago, perhaps because this time I knew what to expect. One word of caution: beware of the upsells. They can quickly push you out of budget. If it’s unplanned or unaffordable — just say no.

This time around, I missed the Museum of the Future. I hadn’t planned far enough ahead, and the next available slot was after our departure — a lesson learned.

We stayed at the lovely Creekside Hotel, conveniently close to the airport and the Metro. Dubai Festival City was nearby too. Attempting to navigate your way to the Burj Khalifa on New Year’s Eve is simply not wise — but after the fireworks, we were able to get a quick ride back to the hotel, exactly as hoped.

I don’t usually believe in resting while in Dubai, but family convinced me to spend one day doing absolutely nothing by the pool. That didn’t last long. Soon after, we headed out for a dinner cruise. On the way, I had to try the infamous 24-carat gold cappuccino — utterly insane.

A word to the wise: leave Dubai stocked with your favourite fragrances to last you the next couple of years. And if you’re heading to the Gold Souk, Yusuf Bhai is your man.

We also took a trip to Sharjah — and even experienced rain. Travelling with young adults is fascinating; listening to their perspectives gives you fresh insight. They agreed that there is no room for deviant behaviour here — it’s dealt with swiftly. You might as well do right, build, and focus on growth. The rewards are what most of us strive for: a good life… maybe a Porsche, if that’s your thing.

I agree completely.

I end this reflection knowing I have only touched a sliver of the true Dubai experience.

One final observation I would be remiss not to mention is the experience of multiculturalism in Dubai. With such diversity, there seems to be little room for extremism. I encountered racial and ethnic groups I could not readily identify — but why should I? Everyone simply minded their business, coexisted, and moved forward with purpose. It felt almost like a symphony, each part distinct yet harmoniously aligned.

Coming from a racially charged society like South Africa, this is always deeply refreshing. To walk into a luxury car dealership in your everyday attire, be treated with respect, receive equal attention, and leave with your dignity intact — that is not a small thing. It is a quiet but powerful signal of a society focused on progress rather than division.

Cry, my beloved country. When will this end, so that our collective energy can be directed where it truly belongs — on building the nation?

For now, I’ll see you in Dubai — where there are no limits.