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My name is Kenneth and I write cool Mac and iPhone software. This is my personal weblog where I post about stuff I find interesting. I usually write about Mac development, the business of shareware and the Mac community in general.
read more →South Africa, or “The Rainbow Nation”, as some call it, may seem like a beautiful country with amazing leaders. After all, 4 Nobel Peace Prize have been awarded to South African politicians.
But in reality, all is not well. Far from that. Here is why:
- Electricity shortages
Since mid-2007, Cape Town has been experiencing repeated power outages, sometimes lasting a few days. Now electricity shortages have reached the whole of South Africa, and every day there’s 4h without any kind of power. If you do the Maths, this means that a sixth of the time, there is no electricity. For a year, there will be two months without electricity!
Not only South Africa is affected, but all of Southern Africa. Countries like Swaziland, Botswana or Zimbabwe, who rely on South Africa for their electricity are also down. There are even rumors that Eskom (South Africa’s electricity utility company) is cutting neighboring countries’ power for every weekends.
In 1997, we were warned this would happen. An official document described that if the target economy growth per year goal of 6% p.a. was reached, we wouldn’t have enough power by 2007. The actual growth rate for the past 10 year was 5% p.a. They were warned, and yet the incompetents in charge did nothing. This is how corrupt the country is. The wealthy men in charge use their power for personal gain, and they of course are safe while the rest of the country is in a chaos.
No electricity sounds like a mere inconvenience. After all, our ancestors have lived without power for centuries. But it has far bigger consequences on the country as a whole. Car accidents are so common here that there isn’t a day going by where I don’t see at least one road accident. How much worse do you think not having traffic lights will make it? The road will be a total chaos. There will be traffic-jams everywhere.
South Africa is a dangerous place. Every home is equipped with an alarm system. But of course, alarm systems require electricity. Perfect opportunity for someone to break in. Garage doors and gates too are powered by electricity. If you’ve left your door closed when the power cut arrises (which, by the way, is the safe thing to do if you don’t want your car stolen), you’re stuck at home.
The biggest result of this that affects everybody first-hand is refrigeration. Food is kept in fridges and freezers for a reason. Otherwise, they rot, melt, or become inedible.
In Cape Town, during one of those power cuts that lasted 5 hours, more than a hundred tourists were stuck hanging on a cable between Table Mountain and Cape Town. 900 were stuck at the top of the mountain. For FIVE HOURS!
Entire businesses are going down. Any business that relies on computers now has major problems. No work is going to get done while the power is done. And on top of that, there is data loss, file corruption etc. Communication too is down. All modern wireless home phones rely on electricity, and thus and unreachable and unusable during the cuts.
Do I really need to go on?
This is supposed to continue regularly until 2013, when they will finally have finished building the first new power plant.
- Led by a rapist
As if the electricity shortages weren’t enough.
Have you ever heard of Jacob Zuma? He is president of the leading political party, the ANC, and soon-to-be president of South Africa. Problem is, this man is a RAPIST! And by rape I do not mean where the woman wakes up the next morning and realizes she’s hungover and probably shouldn’t have done what she did. By rape I mean violently forcing a woman into nonconsensual sex.That’s what Mr. Zuma did, and he got away with it. And now he is about to become president. You must wonder, how did this ever happen in a democracy? Yeah, that’s what I’m wondering too.
In court, he claimed that he took a shower after the rape, thus protecting himself from HIV/AIDS and other diseases. What a great example for his country…
To top it off, he is also facing corruption charges.
- Crime, Rape and AIDS
from South African political satirist, Zapiro.South Africa is ranked N°1 for number in homicide per capita and rape.
Statistically, a teenaged girl has more chances to be raped than to learn to read.
Combined with AIDS, this makes South Africa the most dangerous country for women. One in five South Africans is infected. By 2010, we are expecting a cumulative death toll of 5.7 millions due to AIDS. Imagine if everybody in both Durban and Cape Town died. That’s how many people 5.7 million is. Alternatively, picture everyone living in Los Angeles and Paris combined dying. (Note: City populations include only the city itself)
Due to the incompetence of our leaders, no effective action is taken to prevent the epidemic. Indigenous locals rape virgin girls because they traditionally believe that having sex with a virgin will cure them from AIDS. But obviously the only thing achieved is spreading of the epidemic.
DISCLAIMER: I am not South African, but I have lived here for more than 3 years, which is more than enough for me to be disgusted by this country forever.
This entry was posted on Thursday, January 24th, 2008 at 9:07 pm and is filed under English, Politics, Rants. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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[…] country with amazing leaders. After all, 4 Nobel Peace Prize have been awarded to South Africahttp://www.seoxys.com/reasons-why-you-dont-want-to-live-in-south-africa/Of all units affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, individuals …File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View […]
you say you haved lived in south africa for 3 years. i do hope by now you have done our country the favour of leaving and going back to where you came from.
negativity creates negativity and that is the last thing we need right now. i am a south african living overseas, making good money and living safely, but i plan to return home in december for good. south africa is a beautiful, diverse country with so much potential and so many wonderful people. we have the greatest sense of humour, adapt easily to change, and i for one (having travelled the world on and off for the last nine years) would never want to live anywhere else. all my friends living overseas are slowly starting to make their way back home. rugby, braais, beautiful sunsets….you are clearly undeserving of it all. GO HOME.
lynn, you are of course correct when you say that I should leave. Indeed, I am living come the end of the year, for good. When I first came here, I had high hopes for this country, but as time went by, things became worse every minute. I have only been disappointed and disgusted by this country. The conditions of living are terrible. It’s good for tourism, but definitely not to live here.
Every country that is lead by tribal blacks is in Choas. Zimbabwe is a classic example of a nation that was lead by Ian Smith in which Zim economy was amung the best in the world. It is now a shit-hole. Uganda, Angola, all of west Africa, Sudan, CAR Congo Rawanda Zim and even SA. What was SA like 20 or 30 years ago? I do not agree with killing people black or White. If a person is to stupid, or honest to lead then leadership should be done by the ones capable of doing so. Having enough food and not having murder in the streets is a goon measuring stick ti determine who should lead.
I am an African -American Sales executive who has visited South Africa twice in 2007 and once this year with plans to return in the fall. I have fallen in love with the country, the people. I experienced the brown outs in Johannesburg this past April…and will be interested in how the problem gets resolved. I intend to retire to the country and operate a bed and breakfast there. While I also intend to have private back up generators for the comfort of guests, I have a direct interest in the power issue being resolved. I think that all who wish to live there or do need to work cooperatively to resolve issues central to the well being to the people.
It is a good country with great potential…and I look forward to calling it home.
we dont need wankers like you in south africa anyway, so thanks for the favour of not wanting to live there….what a jerk
One gets used to live in constant fear of being the victim of crime in South Africa. It was only when I visited my children in the UK that I realized what a normal society should be like. I enjoyed the long walks and the sightseeing trips without always having to look over my shoulder. Older people are seen everywhere on the busses and doing nature walks. They seem much younger than seniors in this country because here one is locked up because it is too dangerous to go out on one’s own.
How there you speak of South Africa like this!! I can bet you my last cent that you are from one of those European countries. I’m sure I am correct with that. That is why WE South Africans say that Africa is NO place for sissys.
Every country in the world has its own problems and I gues maybe thats why you ended up staying in SA for 3 years. We are proud of South Africa and what we have achieved and still to achieve. It is Persimists like you that we do not need in our country because instead of bringing growth, you try to let us down. I would be very much happy if YOU NEVER Set your foot in our beautiful country again.
What do you say about the racial abuses experienced by black players who are playing in Europe, especially Spain, Italy and The People’s “Favourite” England? Don’t you for a second realise that Europe needs civilisation more than Africans do? As for one of the other respondends, yes you should walk freely in UK as I also walk freely in SA since that is where I belong. Im pretty much sure that you have exploited South Africa for 3 years and now you are saying you won’t come back here.
We are trying by all means to be accomodative as Africans but It’s people like you that want to drive us into the mentality of Zimbabwe (would you like that?).
I have visited South Africa once and loved it. Of coarse there is going to be crime, just like EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. It realy all depends on how you look at things, if you want to see things possotivly, then you will, however, if you look at things in a negative maner (which to many people do these days) then you will see everything with a negative perseption. South Africa is the most beautiful country I have ever seen. Nkosi sikeli afrika! :-)
The guys right. I been in SA all my life. those of you living in slighter better off areas are insulated from the bullshit the rest of us deal with on a daily basis. SA is a shitty place and i’ll be so glad to get the hell outta here in a few years time. Yes, everywhere has problems. But at least there they make an effort to solve it. Not here. Here they make excuses and we’re expected to just accept this shit
South Africa is one of the most beautiful countries I have visited, short of my own home, Canada. But it is warmer, which is a treat.
I love the people, love the sights and sounds, but not keen on the violence. There’s an “extreme sports” aspect to a mid-day walk - if you know what you’re doing and keep your eyes open, you’ll probably be just fine, and have a very enjoyable time. But if you make one mis-step or lose focus for a second, it can very easily go pear-shaped, and it’s game-over for you mate.
Now extreme sports can certainly give you a good workout - such as running like hell to the next “safe haven” doorway or 7-Eleven in Capetown’s CBD on a lonely Sunday afternoon when someone’s running down your a$$.
Or driving at night on the N2 thru Khayelitscha with your lights out and swerving back and forth for fear of sniper fire and rocks being thrown off bridges.
All that being said, SA is one of the most beautiful enchanting places on earth, and I would live there in a heartbeat (with the right protection of course).
You mainly get 2 types of hens here in the UK: Caged hens or the free range types:
If you intend to spend your life on earth in a plastic safe environment created by others, don’t stay in SA. You will end up with a 2.5 meter fence, a security system to protect your CCTV cameras from being stolen, a burglar alarm and fire arms to protect you against all possible dangers. You WILL end up frustrated because the government will not look after your “very important” needs.
On the other hand… if you are committed to use your God given opportunities to leave this blue dot hanging somewhere in space somehow better than you found it, South Africa might just be the place for you. There are HUGE things happening, but to discover them you will need to leave your security complexes.
After 8 years in the UK I am on my way back to South Africa just because…… I’m no frieken caged hen!!!
What “kindafa” chicken are you?
I want all of you negetive misplaced foreigners out of my country for Good.
We are trying to build this country and the way I see it, you might as well scram if your not contributing positivley.
I’m sure for 3 years, you have experienced the best weather on the planet
The best beaches and sunsets.
Now just because ur employer decided not to renew ur contract because u are the wrong color is not our business
I say fuck-off and godd riddance, gaaphuuu
hi people ! i want to live in south africa and open up a b/b for the holiday trade……… will i be safe and live life fearly peacefull ?
South Africa is by far my favourite country on Earth! It’s awesome! I’ve lived in Australia, America, several countries in Europe (I’m British) and am proudly emigrating to South Africa in July. This negativity from some people confuses the hell out of me.
Having scoped out job opportunities there compared to Europe and NAmerica at the moment, I was surprised to see there are MORE available to me. My professional friends in South Africa earn salaries on a par with, or sometimes even better, than equivalent posts in Europe and America - but in a country that costs 1/3 - 1/4 as much! The standard of living is astounding.
From my point of view, I’ve done business on and off there for 10 years, and it’s become my most profitable sector - even overtaking the US (and long ago taking over Europe). Before that I holidayed there too. I’ve now spent, collectively, several years there and just love the place.
Also, I’ve never been the victim of crime in South Africa, but I have been four times in Europe (three times UK, once Italy). Now I am not foolish, I know that it’s an issue in SA, but I have found that practicing common sense is all that one need do. I walk around Cape Town all the time, with no ill effect. I wouldn’t lightly do that in Johannesburg, but even there have never had a real problem.
The electricity problem is resolved as far as I understand. I did have the misfortune of being there in Feb / March 2008 when the load shedding was in place - but that was temporary and there have been no problems since. Also, let’s remember that SA supports a half dozen other countries electricity needs! We couldn’t do that without struggling. That’s not an excuse, the people in charge should’ve been more on the ball, but things should be kept in perspective. And as I say, the problem has essentially gone - now that the urgently required maintenance that started the problem has been finished.
As for the politics – of course there are things of concern, but when does a politicians conduct ultimately effect the individual? Yes, when they are an evil despot like Mugabe they DO. But is Zuma like that? I really don’t think so. An ambitious, rather unscrupulous, charismatic popularist – yes. A ‘I will ruin everything’ despot? No. And let’s face it, living in London now I have a racist, misogynistic, homophobic, immature, arrogant twat as my mayor. And soon we’ll have a spoiled, aloof, arrogant public school toff leading the whole country – so let’s not pretend that we’re above bad politics!
As for bureaucracy, having had a LOT to do with South Africa (and lord knows its far from perfect) it’s sooooooooooooooo superior to the UK. Everything takes ages here, with no option out. And the PRIVATE sector is INFINITELY superior in South Africa. Efficient, cheap and quick 95% of the time, whereas it took me years in the UK to find people who will do the job even half decently for me. I find life there vastly quicker, and more efficient – and that facilitates productivity and a quality of life that I simply cannot have in Europe (or even North America, though it is also very productive and efficient).
I find South Africa the most beautiful country on Earth. I have never bee anywhere that knocked my socks off like it does. Just incredible. I find Cape Town the most beautiful city in the world, and when you add the game areas, mountain ranges, coastal areas, deserts etc. - South Africa simply astounds.
And the weather is the best I have ever known. Yes, counting the Med, California and Australia - it’s DEFINITELY the best. I laughed when South African friends said that the main reason they would never live in Cape Town is it’s weather! That’s despite it having more sunshine than any city in Europe, more than San Francisco, 6 degree warmer weather than San Francisco, and a clasically Mediterranean climate (mild wet winters, dry hot summers with Ocean wind) which everywhere else in the world is considered awesome! I know what they mean though, since Cape Town ‘only’ has 9 months of good weather a year! Johannesburgers laugh, as they have 11 & 1/2 months of brilliant weather!
I agree with everyone saying that negativity gets us nowhere. I am not saying be an Ostrich, but heaven sakes South Africa has SO many positives it seems that ignoring them makes one a different kind of Ostrich! I will proudly call myself a South African resident from July this year, and I cannot wait!
Dude, its cunts like you- who come to south africa, cunts like you- who chanted free mandela - cunts like you and your fuckdumb utopia vision from afar, now you here and you see the fuckup - cunts like you who in the first week land and say - to us locals, oh you oprressor, you who brought apartheid, well now you see what this country is about ,
one message for you- gaan huistoe jou sleg poes ons het jou soort nie nodig nie - en as ek jou sien , gee ek vir jou ‘n ma se poes klap vokken terug huistoe, jou eter
Are you stupid man how can you be hating on south africa that much. If you have seen the ANC is becoming the leading laughing stock of the nation. Even a noble prize winner is against it (hint mr tutu). Electricity shortages were scheduled so if you didn’t prepare then that was your own fault, they even made timetables available. The shortages aren’t affecting the whole country may be just your house, so just pay your bills man. Crime & stuff i can agree apon but those stats include the townships & this being a 3rd world country there is a lot of them & of course you could expect crime there its like the “hood” in america. Don’t forget that south africa is hosting the soccer world cup & fifa would not have let SA host if they found this country to be unsafe. The “crime ridden” country has held world class events without any problems ICC Pro20 world cup even IPL is coming here because they are fearing the players safety in some country i won’t mention.
Lets face it South Africa is going down the shitter, but that is no reason for some dumbshit like you to be so negative. Europe was a shit hole for a long time, America was and still is one of the most hypocritical countries on this planet. Us true South Africans know that this country can once again be great like it was pre 1994 and I am not referring to aprtheid but to how strong the economy was. If the DA were to beat the ANC then this country would be tops. So please fuck off and don’t come back when we’re tops.
You people have got to be joking. I’ve never seen such an example of ignorant, in denial, self serving/loving my nice life arseholes, ever. Did any of you actually understand the message that the first post was saying? Your peurile responses about loving the open spaces, what a nice place to live, glory be to “good ol’ SA” had nothing to do with what he/she was saying. Your collective denial/dismissal/lets not talk about that/ of the issues raised is unbelievable. Have any one of you ever been raped? Can you understand the concept of a baby, yes a baby, not just a virgin, being raped because it might cure the rapist of aids? Do you know that this is a belief unique to Africa and that it is as endemic there as aids itself? Do you care? I think not. Why? Because not one response to that post even mentioned it. I know that some of the other issues he raised are just as applicable to other countries, but why didn’t anyone pay tribute to this terrible atrocity?
Terrible things happen when the sunsets and the beauty of the land cease to have meaning for the people who have had it all taken away from them.
You can paint the picture as pleasantly as you wish. I spent 6 months in Iraq recently, and between all coallition forces and Iraqi’s combined there were still less deaths than in Johannesburg ALONE.
The country is burning, and it will be a matter of time before the guilty parties finish what they started. Do you want to know who they are??
Here’s a clue….they’re not white.
So, the outside world who constantly put pressure on South-Africa to stop appartheid finally realized that they did NOT know what they were talking about. The ones who wanted to teach us how to run our country, in fact did NOT have any idea how to run a country like SA effectively. BLACKS CAN NOT RUN A CHIP SHOP, SO HOW CAN THEY RUN A COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!
all i have to say is:::: all u people blaming SA are completely unfair… it isn’t our country’s fault we have sick perverted freaks raping babies…. fight those people then, don’t take it out on South Africa in general!!!!
South Africa use to be good, very long ago. I left about two years ago, after being robbed a few times, hijacked twice and my friends killed in their house for R100.00!!
I will raise my kids in a safe place where they can still enjoy playing outside!
Tsuari and Mangcola is clearly not white people, because no white will be on a beach at sunset.
It is not only places like JHB that is unsafe. Any person seriously considering moving to South Africa must get hold of a few news papers and magazine`s from SA. Get the facts from the real people, not the government!
I have made a very good friend from SA. She moved here with her husband and children in January and I hired her to work with me at my work. She is a smart hard working lady. One of the most amazing people I have ever met. However, she did tell me all the atrocities that go on over there, hence why they left. And she is by far NOT racist, but she does feel that the black people are the cause of most of the problems. I was shocked when she told me three black men walked into her friends home with AK-47s. Her children were there playing with her friends children. They got the kids on the ground and threatened to kill them, pointing guns at them, they robbed the whole house and even took their cellphones. When the police caught up with the perpertrators, they just let them go free!!! They were never charged, they just walked away laughing. They never got their stuff back. These were little kids, her daughter was about 11 at the time. Imagine that happening to your child in your home. She could have been raped or they could have been murdered. The kids also had a knife pulled on them in the street for their cellphone. I freaking cellphone?!?!?! This was in Durban where they lived. She also told me about the disgusting act of raping babies to cure AIDS??? Im sorry but that is just mental and crazy! She now works at another company round the corner as we had to sell the company she was running here. She emailed me today and says she misses “home”. I think it is very unfair that the decent people in SA should have to be torn between loving their home, but hating the way their country is being managed and feeling like they are being forced out. Living in constant fear is not living. All countries have their faults, but wouldnt it be nice to be able to stop at the lights without getting carjacked/murdered? Or got to the supermarket and not have to pay someone to watch over your car? Or go to the beach and not have people start having sex right next to you in front of children? That is how my friend feels. I couldnt imagine not feeling safe in my own country. I hope the good South Africans take a stand and take their country back.
Crime in the sun is far better than peace in the rain. I have been living in England for 9 years and I can confidently say that the grass is indeed greener. But that is purely due to the amount of rain and shit that is all over this England. Give me South Africa any day. You are not a true South African. It is not in your blood. You will never love a country you were not born in. Go home and make room for those of us that want to come back. Graphic design, ha, pussy.
Any rant about South Africa has got to include discussion of the Afrikaans. I have lived all over the world with work including a time in South Africa. It is hard not to meet people you like in all countries. However so many Afrikaans I met were unpleasant, insular, ignorant, chippy, obnoxious and dull. The only shame of the end of apartheid is how many of them have moved overseas where they have a very bad reputation in business and socially. I note a couple of De Whet types on here howling to the website author to leave. Please do the rest of us a favour on the same lines. Stay in South Africa talking ignorant crap at your braae, whining about all other races, congratulating yourself on being so tough (read boorish) and do not leave without developing some charm, manners, losing the massive chip and maybe getting some additional education. Thanks.
I am nigerian n i love southafrica. I wann live there by 2011. Can anybody help me out??
Happy 2010, i’ve just stumbled on to this article now after two years of it being written, would have loved to see it before, i wonder if you have left the country already Mr South Africa is a shitty place to live, if so All the best in your new country anyway its a bit too late but i’ll put my view in anyway, i’d be first to admit that South Africa is facing serious problems: crime, corruption, poor infrastructure and service and now after 16 years of democracy we are still facing some of these issues but for some of us Aficans such things are not reason enough to give up on this country, there is just so much oppotunity and possiblity, we are a country alive with possibilty, what we don’t need in this country is people who have lost their hope, who have no vision, no mission, no clue as to how to contribute, many of our countrymen and sadly many of the white south africans mostly who still live in absolute luxury and comfort compared to most of all the black people have turned their backs on this country, the very same people who denied us equal opportunity, freedom of movement, right to wealth and gain, right to land, right to provide for ones family these very people are complaining about the result of their doing as if this was the black mans fault… its all our fault because we never chose to build an equal, prosperious society in the turn of the 20th century instead we chose to oppress one another, deny one another the human right to live in ones own land freely and now its all our responsability to fix this country, whether black or white or asian, we all have to put in the work, so some of you have given up already then leave!!! so be it but stop whining and crying we’ve had enough, either you contribute to helping this country grow or pack your bags and go…
My husband is South African and while he and his family are wonderful in my experience most South Africans are not.
The South African attitude to women is heartbreaking. That the president is a polygamist rapist says it all really.
My husband’s best friend told me women deserve to be raped for going outside on their own at night.
(Yes he speaks to his best friends wife like that - typical South African man.)
The trains are incredibly dangerous, god help you if your car breaks down (especially if you’re a woman at night ‘cause then you know what you deserve).
Whenever I am in South Africa the news is full of child rape stories.
I challenge anyone to spend longer than 5 minutes with a White South African (who lives in South Africa) without the conversation turning to affirmative action and how unfair it is now blacks have rights.
On top of this London (the city of my birth) is full of South Africans complaining about how much they hate London, without the decency to leave, which at least is what the writer of this blog is doing.
All these statements are generalizations of course they don’t apply to every single South African but it does apply to far too many of them.
I am a white male South African 25 year old. I have a growing sadness about this country that seems to be going downhill. All those considering coming here please remember that you may someday regret it. A traumatic life threatening experience is not something you get over overnight.
I don’t like the generalisations about South Africans. Complainers are everywhere. I for one am nothing like what Kay described and none of my friends are. No woman deserves to be raped, not in a million lifetimes!!! Please remember that most South Africans abroad have no place to call home anymore. They left for a reason and this is hard for them. This generation has to deal with this unfortunately.
I am considering leaving simply because I feel unsafe in my home. Just a week ago a guy a few houses away was shot for his cellphone. Not a single member of my family has not fallen victim to crime at some point. Criminals wonder the streets at night looking for security gaps. I was once held at knife point.
I and many like me struggle because its either tear yourself away of continue to live like this. It really is a beautiful country and thats why its so difficult. I am not trying to be negative. I just wish I could live in a safe and sound society. I have lived in England and its crappy. But a choice between crappy and life threatening is not all that hard to make.
I hope with all my heart SA changes for the good. I love this country and will miss it everyday. I might stay… Oh crap, I am back at square 1!
Im sorry to tell you but you cant really juge SA because every place got their own problems ya I hope you dont have tunnel vision about your future Country because you may be dissapointed!!!
Hi
I might be a bit late…
Whoever the fuck u r to pen this shit bout my country and its people, go the fuck to where u com from…. And if i ever c u useless being again in my country, i will personally moer u back into the whole that gave u life
who has been watching the news lately? after much consideration i have sold my business last week. i will be immigrating to any country otside africa that will want me?
The country is a joke! There is no law, no justice system. Every idiot who calls himsef a leader defrauds or steals the country and the poor voters blind. The problem is that the stupid voters can see it? Not my country anymore, not my president not my leaders. I will go to where people recognize the rule of law.
The idiots who wanrt to stay here in the “new zimbabwe” can do so. CHEERS!
It’s so sad that you spend your time spreading fear and ignorance. If you don’t want to live there, then don’t, no one is forcing you, but what Africa doesn’t need is more people perpetuating the image of a backward, uncivilized continent. This is exactly the same kind of view that lead to Colonialism and every other bloody conquest. And to anyone else who is getting the wrong idea, do the research for yourself, don’t be an idiot.
I have left that circus called South Africa (although I think the ANC has more clowns than a circus) two years ago and it is THE best move I could ever make. I now live in a country with a white government and yes, you guessed it, everything is working!!!! Roads are being maintained(without having a toll road every few kilometres) communications are world class, health care is top notch, inflation is only 2%, but most of all - my family is safe. So guess what, you can take your corrupt, lawless, filthy South Africa and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. You will all eventually wake up and realize it is time to go.
if ur country is so perfect y did u come to SA? Your just pathetic.
Hi, Im Jeff i am too Nigerian. Would love to live in South afica. heard it is good for me bussines.
how can i get in with my families godbless
to itumeleng peterson !
You **** (removed offensive racial slur - ed.)! if your kind never burnt down the schools us whities built for you. and you actually bothered to learn how to speak the language of “your” country you’d know, that “whole” is actually spelt “hole” and that particular “hole” doesnt give you life! you stupid burnt koon, waste of oxygen! G.W
Wow … the fact that these people that are defending their country not by disputing these facts, but are saying it has pretty sunsets and beautiful beaches is enough to convince me to stay away.
I spent 3 years in SA and thought it was the most extraordinary country I have ever been to.
It is not perfect but certainly a lot more exciting than living in a grey European city. I can understand why South Africans dislike London. They must feel like they are in prison. No big sky, incredible night skies and sunsets. You really feel like you are close to nature. SA is primal and there is nowhere else where I have felt so aware of the rotation of the earth and part of the great drama that is Mother Nature. It is a fantastic place.
Reasons why SA is great.. Just followed the previous 2 years of this thread and agree with everything that everyone says!
Kenneth is just giving his own subjective opinion on SA, theres nothing wrong with that just like you all have your own opinions. I have been living my whole life in SA and can say I’m looking very forward to moving overseas. I just cant stand the crime, I think apart from the heat its my biggest reason for leaving.
There are so many things happening and it feels like every year it’s getting worse. I have been in a dangerous situation myself and am lucky to be alive here at the age of 21 but this is not about me. This is about the many that werent so lucky, Recently Anika Smit…a 17 year old girl was found naked with her hands chopped off not too far away from her house. She could have been someone you walked pass once, a friend perhaps, maybe family member, even worse your child or even you. And she is one of the many few cases who they bothered to talk about over the news, there are many more murders left unsaid.
Check out the murder and rape statistics of SA compared to the rest of the world. Its a known fact don’t cover it up.
And yes no country is perfect but I am looking forward to a safer life at least. And there will be many things I will miss especially hearing Afrikaans want ek is trots op my taal.
SA is a beautiful country but its ugly at the same time.
R.I.P Anika Smit
Wow Wow Wow..Why All This Negativity ?If You Dont Like South Africa..Which You Clearly Dont..Then Just Fuck Off And Leave.And iM Sure That Your From One Of Those European Country’s..Always Critizing And Acting Like Your Country’s Perfect..Well Guess What..It Is Not!!South Africa Proved To The World That iTs A Great Country With Lovely People And Beautiful Places And Cities During The World Cup 2010…i Am So Proud Of My Country And I Love It So Much..Its Come A Long Way.And As Mentioned Above EVERY Country Has iTs Problems So INSTEAD OF WORRYING ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA’S PROBLEMS GO AND SORT OUT YOUR COUNTRY’S EFFING PROBLEMSS..Thank You!
I am south african, every country has problems but SA has one of the most- and the world cup doesnt make it any more special. So fuck it.
FUCK OFF. DON’T COME TO SOUTH AFRICA
I’m hearing all this racist rhetoric about Black Africans not being able to run a country but they sure as hell found a way to take BACK their country from a bunch of foreigners “Racist Whites”… I am one of those whom applied whatever pressure from abroad to help rid South Africa of the stench of racism and look forward to visiting and hopefully retiring there.
Africa for Africans
After reading almost all of the posts, I came to the conclusion that the only people in defence of SA are either proud natives that try to justify murder and rape by nice weather, and people outside of SA that haven’t done enough ‘poking around’ to know what’s really going on there. I’m a proud Canadian because I know my country (and it’s government) holds tight to good values and are wise enough to know that if they stray away from these, that they will most likely end up like SA. I’m not proud because I was born here (which I wasn’t because I was adopted) but because I know I’m much, much better off here that ‘there’. After reading the posts that gave accurate descriptions (not the ones that gave artistic interpretation), the thought of winter coming and standing at a bus stop in -30c temperatures seems mighty tempting compared to what’s going on in SA. I conclude this by saying that I have pity for those people who are too proud to see the real problems around them in their everyday lives. Maybe if something traumatic happened to them or someone close, they would finally understand their foolishness (though I do not wish anything like that on anybody.)
I was browsing the web for any information or insight that could help me convince my parents to let me travel to South Africa for an internship or study abroad. Being a 19 year old white Canadian girl, I could really use some feedback. I just have this urge to go out and explore, and I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of South Africa…however, I’m feeling very derailed in my argumentation right now considering that I read through all this, and nationalistic posts really don’t help, and don’t address the issues - like one person said, the issues haven’t really been discussed other than saying that the scenery is gorgeous. My family often pulls out the fact book about it being the #1 rape capital of the world, and the staggering AIDS epidemic.
I don’t want to sound ignorant, but please remember that I’ve only ever really lived in Canada. Deducting from these posts, it’s so odd to think that one must live in fear at all times. I understand that you can’t do some things there that you can in other parts of the world…I don’t lock my door at night, I go running alone, I routinely take the 1am bus home from parties alone…and I never feel unsafe (knock on wood, crimes happen everywhere) but SA sounds like it’s on a totally different level of dangerous! I asked a SA acquaintance about how safe it was, and she said that the crimes are blown out of proportion. I still don’t know who to believe. I think that if I ever get the chance to go, I’d probably have to end up going with a trusted male, but I think that all the trusted males I know are too scared of being murdered to come with me.
I too, am suddenly very enticed by the thought of waiting for my midnight bus at -40 degrees C.
I hope to understand more about your undoubtedly beautiful country and wish you all the best.
People are allowed to talk about their experiences without being told to “fuck off”. Like that’s going to sway their opinion one way or another. You are so hostile because you know they are right and jealous because they can leave and you can’t. It is difficult to immigrate and the people that do are highly skilled and educated, you should want them to stay. The fact that you are too blind to see that makes you incredibly ignorant and naive. Unfortunately, you are the only sorts of people left in that place and that is while it is failing.
Hmmmm…the conversation is quite interesting. I’m an African American who lived in South Africa for four years. I didn’t live in the the wealthy or tourist part, I lived in Pretoria where the regular working middle class folks lived. I absolutely fell in love with the beauty of the country, and the blooming Jacaranda trees were my favorite, but the crime is outrageous. I was robbed twice at gun point by two men in broad daylight and the first time a police car drove by. Well, that was enough for me. My husband was hit by a drunk driver in the lot of a petrol station, the police didn’t think to get the video tape that same evening even though everyone was telling them that they should. They waited until a month later and even after that, two years after it happened they came back three times for his statement (they kept loosing it). And lets not talk about the power outages for hours at a time and the water cuts…and the strikes every month.
I think South Africa is a great place to visit but as for me, I never want to live there again. I love my home just like South Africans love their home. Every place has their problems, I’m just use to the ones here in the U.S. so I’ll just deal with them…
Oh, by the way, you will surely be looking over your shoulders every where you go. The closer to dusk it gets the closer to home you need to be. Don’t go out before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. unless you are in a group of about 20 and even then, they still might rob you.
I was born in South Africa and about 10 years about i immigrated to Canada. I have also lived in Italy and England. I have also spent time in the United states as well as several other European countries. I am sorry to say but not one of those countries is ANYTHING Like South Africa. Of course it is going to be in ones nature to defend the country you come from, however, these are the facts, SA has one of the highest crime rates in the world. You are welcome to stay and raise your childred in SA but unfortunatly it is no longer a possibility that your daughter is going to get raped but its a probability. Once this happens to u unfortunatly u have to live with those choices you will clearly be bringing upon yourself, although NOONE deserves that. Yes the weather is nice, yes the country is pretty but wake up and look around, with ur 10 foot walls, alarm systems and electric fences. Once you see the rest of the world you will be so surprised that ” oh my I can go for a walk without watching my back” I loved my home but I had to make a choice. You also need to understand that over 3 million white and Indian people have left south africa. These however are educated and skilled people. If this continues do the math. Im sorry that these comments may be hurful but they are true and if u choose not to listen then all i can say is ” you have bed your bed, and now you have to lie in it”
Please takenote, that MOST countries are having electricity cuts. and if you want to talk about danger please visit VENEZUELA, danger, death and crime is what the country is about. As for South Africa being led by a rapist, that is due to the interferance of Overseas Politics. South Africa is no different to any other country. Britian, Autralia and many other countries are living in crime rape and death everday. Dont generalise!!!!.
there is no reason to tell people to “fuck off” that is their opinion and if you cant accept other peoples’ opinions then maybe you should “fuck off” and as far as South Africa’s problems are concerned, education is one reason not to come here, no European university will accept a South African matric certificate over a European matriculate because, in government schools, the education level has dropped. but remember that all countries have pros and cons no matter where you are because of human nature.
and don’t forget that after the world cup, xenophobia returned and strikes continued. African American man, be careful what you say because as much as anyone else may have offended you, you have made yourself just as bad by offending them.
be careful about moving to South Africa, if you have secured a job then go for it, if not, wait to secure a job. and don’t generalize, i can say that all Americans are fat and stupid based on the few i have seen but i also know that there are huge varieties of people and that there is no uniform person type in one country.
for every 1 skilled person who emigrates, 10 unskilled people lose their jobs (statistically speaking) because if the head of a department leaves the company may decide to cut costs and lose the whole department. so don’t tell people to leave.
And if you did South African history, you would find that F.W.De Klerk allowed the ANC unbanned, released Mandela and allowed for the first general election. All this began because of international pressure. So the ANC did not really free South Africa, they fought for it like PFP.
and the problem amongst these comments are; how many of you arguing for South Africa are letting patriotism cloud your judgement? are you allowing your love for the country to blind you from facts?
and as for rid of racism, it is still alive and kicking, every time something goes wrong or no answer can be found the response is either “it is racist” or “it is because of my colour” African American man, you say racist whites but I can assure you, there are many racist blacks as well.
Pissed, look up brain drain and be happy that they are coming. especially the skilled people. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_drain#South_Africa
we really need foreigners especially skilled foreigners.
I just came across this blog, and it has made me so sad to read what some people say about South Africans who have left the country. I am South African and it broke my heart when my family and I had to leave, (NOTE: HAD TO LAVE!!) What else could we do, we had a 6 month old baby and I was having gruesome nightmares about him being killed in a house robbery. We went away to visit family and when we came home our entire house had been cleaned out….all of our possessions gone, and this was with the protection of electric fence, wireless beams and alarms PLUS security at the entrance to our development.I would hate to think what would have happened if we were home!!
My husband would come home from work each day with a story of someone he knew who had been affected by crime, rape, family members killed in their home etc, etc, etc. The stories always sound like they are happening to people far away, then slowly they creep closer to home. First its a friend of a friend, then its the man down the street or your neighbor and pretty soon the crime is affecting you..its knocked down your door and is standing in your living room. Forgive me for leaving but I could not and would not sit around and wait for it to happen to me. I understand full well that crime is a universal problem, but nowhere is it as ruthless as in South Africa. Those of us who have left are not necessarily all racists who have just given up and left, NO, we have fled just as anyone would if they felt their family’s safety was in jeopardy. Some people say that you are only a true South African if you stay and face the problem, but I disagree. I know that I am truly South African because it hurts to look up everyday and not see an African sky, it breaks my heart that no matter how much I want to I can not go back to the country I call home because quite frankly I don’t even know if it exists anymore. The country of my birth was safe, it was economically sound, kids could ride their bikes in the street……it was the most beautiful place on earth. Does it still exist? You tell me! I know SA has the potential to be great again, I just can’t put my family at risk while it tries to reach it. Does that make me less of a South African?
The hatred in so many of the comments tells a story of it’s own
i live in pakistan but today pakistan just going on hang every day crrices in pakistan bomb blast in pakistan i am simpal citezan i need that i live in south africa
is a such haven
I have never been to south africa, but would love to go it is a beautiful place,i am british but i have had a 3yr relashonship with a black south african man he himself told me is a very hostile country.can someone tell me why south africa is so lovely that one hell of alot of south africans are here in the uk working and looking for citizen ship here by the way i found out my partner was a bigamist left a married wife and child there and has also married a woman in the uk lied to get citizen ship here
I just want to say that I would love to live in Africa if the opportunity come my way I’m jumping on it. Its a lot of negative people on here with bad things to say ur words have no power any where so keep them to urself. One day I will live in beautiful Africa. :-)
If anyone from Africa who would like to be my friend then email me sevenstarr11@yahoo.com
Natascha my heart goes out to you! You did what any true african parents would do to protect their loved ones at all cost! I pray for all who can’t leave to be safe! I welcome you and your family to my country and hope you are safe here from all. And hope you are able to visit your home in africa safely!
South Africa… Beautifull country and lovely people. I was born here and I live here. The only problem…the wrong government, corrupt, spineless, with a no care attitude for its people and becomeing just as racist as the past one. Time for them to go.
Some great positives about SA, lovely people, good weather, fantastic beaches, lovely outdoors and nature etc etc. Absolute negatives are the corrupt spinles attitude this government has in running this country into the ground. Its all very well complaing but we need to stand up and get involved instead of running away because believe me the majority of ‘white South Africans ’ have another means of getting out of here its just that we would really really like to have a government of unity that cares for the people and not for their pockets. Our municapalitys are a disgrace ( except for the Western Cape ..wonder why? ) police force ..thats a good one along with the public health car and our substandard education that the scholars are receiving and the massive amount of illegal immigrants. Ah but what the heck the sun still shines..even on rainy days.
Ok so I am a local from South Africa, beautiful little town called Mosselbaai. I love my country, my people (Afrikaners) and my language (Afrikaans), but unfortunately due to the pressure placed upon us several years ago from the UN, we were forced to throw in the towel and abolish Apartheid. Now we are stuck with a fucking Kaffer government, who’s only wish is to fuck the Afrikaner where ever they can. It is for that reason that I do not blame any Afrikaner for wanting to leave the country, for I have left that wonderful country, which I still call home 7 years ago. It saddens me to think that I could love my country so much, but yet dread the thought of ever going back. So to all of you Afrikaners out there, you are in my thoughts and my prayers. Good Luck!!!
South Africa Is the worst place in the world to live in. Please Dont go there the people are so gay, with there stupid accents. It sounds they have shit in there throats haha!!!
Ha Ha, this article is great.
And so true… Run by a rapist.. Nice.
I do live in South Africa and it is as you say and worse, in some cases.
Granted it has it’s moments where this country can be awesome, but most of it’s time it sucks.
As you mentioned, rapist president, corrupt and racist officials, legislation that is racist, favouring one group over another purely on skin colour.
And all of this is post 1994. Now that we have “Freedom”.
The government gets votes by keeping the people ignorant and lying to them near election times, making empty promises, throwing boisterous events and giving out KFC, all of which has nothing to do with their ability to run, or rather not run a country.
Needless to say, will be leaving here before the last of my freedom is taken from me and we turn communist.
Listening to the news and speeches of politicians, is first of all laughable and then frightening and reminds one of George Orwell’s 1984, where the government lies and the ignorant masses just eat it up
“We, the ANC single handedly gave you freedom, we took the country back from the oppressive whites and gave you everything you have today, so vote for us!”
“Yes Comrade!”
History tells a different story however, of compassionate white people enraged with a racist and inhumane system and of trade embargos putting pressure on the government and of a leader like De Klerk, who new things had to change. Of White South Africans Voting For Change. Where were the ANC, they were occupied with killing innocent civilians.
Again, great article
I have recently moved to south africa from america. I have never been so unhappy in my life. I hate it. Good weather, beautiful country… But the people. Everyone wants to fight, drink and smoke. Over 18 clubs are riddled with children from 12 to 17 all drunk and passing out. People are unpleasant, and you always live in fear of being robbed or shot. I hate south africa.
Anywhere niggers are in the majority or where there is a large percentage, you will find a fucked up place that will never get better, they are a violent stupid people, no matter where they are , even in the UK or the US they will always have low grades in education , high percentage in health and sexual deseases and have high percentage in crime
The current government is a joke, during apartheid this country was undoubtedly a first world country, but now Id say its a little less, no actually wait…………far less!!!
People say that any theory based on racial eugenics is wrong and immoral and unfounded, but as I look around this shithole all I can see is a government who are entirely focused on lining their pockets and nothing else. Im a patriot I love my people (Afrikaners), I feel for them.
Are whites superior to blacks and other races, well my answer is yes. Just compare Europe to Africa. It is obvious that these blacks cannot be civilised, we tried but no. Even their core political values are deeply flawed, Communism? Socialism? I doubt that they could even spell these words correctly. This country is rotten to its core - South Africa is dead.
I have lived in South Afreaka for most of my life and seriously like any and every country in the world it has its good and bad points, yes our government is corrupt ( show me an African government that is not ) but lets face it the politicians prior to 1994 were skimming the cream off the pot too, its just done more openly now than what it was.
Crime is horrific here but you need to make a conscious decision if you want to live here then you need to adapt you way of life to dealing with it .
I do not think the ANC are out to get the Afrikaans people quite honestly they care very little about anyone as long as they can feather their own nest, if you talk to the average black person here they feel pretty much the same as the whites do regarding crime, employment, education and healthcare..
So I would suggest to anyone wanting to live in SA that you have the following :
Damn good education to ensure a good job ( yes many whites have good jobs here)
be financially able to afford to live in an upmarket area hire a good armed response company , be able to afford private medical aid and private schools.
Accept that you are not going to be sitting on a beach at sunset or sunrise unless you have a death wish.
Get used to driving with your windows up, doors locked and one foot on the accelerator ready to take off like a bat out of hell if you need to.
Be prepared to listen to people telling you how terrible this country is and leave you wondering if it is so bad why the hell dont they leave.
Sooooo get ready to meet some of the nicest most hospitable people you will ever meet ( black and white included) soak up the sun with your illegal firearm tucked under your towel , keep R50 in your ID book to bribe the traffic cop when he stops you , learn to resist punching any civil servant ( cos they are all ignorant and incompetent) light the braai when the electricity goes off invite some friends around and make the best of a kak situation .and hey VIVA South Africa
by the way I got mugged in the UK twice and have never been mugged, robbed, raped or hijacked here !!!!
south africa is a beautiful country, if u have no career or business dealings you will not survive. you fucker is just bitter cos you didn’t make it in life and now you blaming it on the country.get your lazy ass out of this country and go home to mommy and daddy, im sure they’ll let you misuse their investments.we dont need racists persimists like you in our country!!! fuck off!!!!
to you DIE BEES you kill by a sword you die by a sword!!!!fuck off!! yes we are out to get you guys(afrikaaners) because you guys will never stop being fuckin racists, well welcome to the new SA. you fuck with a black MAN, you’ll shit your pants!!!!! hater!!!!
I’ve lived in south africa for 26 years, I am 30 now and have a 6 year old son and a daughter on the way, I travel to other countries once a year and when I come back I am so depressed I live here, if I could I would leave tomorow, this is a very corrupt and violent country full of criminal elements, the blacks get preference over others in jobs because of skin color, they will always look for a oppertunity to steal from you, you can’t live in a house without a electric fence, and we the whites are targets, if you want to come here DON’T, rather spend your foreign currency in a country that appreciates, I give this country 5-10 years before it becomes a banana republic
I left South Africa 2 years ago, and i will never look back. That country is going to the dogs.
The old South Africa has gone…an insufferable place if you were black, but great if you were white. The new South Africa is here…an insufferable place for pretty much everyone other than the mentally corrupt, insufferable, money and power grabbing civil servants and politicians.
The sad truth is that there is undeveloped philosophy in the minds of many poor disenfranchised (mentally and materially) people that are responsible for a majority of the crime in the country. The mantra is pretty simple: “Me got nothing, so steal from you, might kill you too, because I can, because no one will stop me, because I have nothing to lose, because I hate you”
These people are the ABYSS of human existence and I am not sure the government wants them changed, which is very sad. They are the gun to the head of normal society, the snake that eats its own tail, the ever present threat that ensures normality is a long long way away…they are living proof of how society worked before civilisation arrived.
Just don’t go there, one of the worst countries on this planet. What concerns it’s so called beauty, have you ever been anywhere at all?and yes it has nice spots(few) but this is just about all . There is many more bad than good places and none is good enough to live permanently . If you stupid enough go to Colombia instead is much safer there.Afrikaners or English speaking native South Africans are very often referring to England and London and by this to Europe, but that’s about haw far they can go in Europe as a continental EU is Schengen visa territory and having UK or Irish visa does not actually give them entry to continental EU not to mention of work permit in EU as a whole .And speaking on education in England which in their way of thinking is worst than in South Africa they easy making a wrong assumption ,however primary and secondary education in UK is not the best in a few cases, than what concerns South Africa there will be only a few private and very expensive too,which could be compared to general standard of UK schools not to mention continental Europe where present South African Standard will be of low level as a whole. And most of whites and blacks are not attending these few private “reputable”facilities anyway. And don’t give anyone crap about first world facilities , what facilities are first world over there? hardly any, non existent public transport crap taxi( there are new cars like Mercedes Taxi driving European Cities ) South Africa is a Third World Country and ridden by Crime(don’t tell us about greater possibility of being robbed in UK , London is about 8mln inhabitants so is massive still there is more crime in any place in South Africa and you just scared to live your cars as well as drive it ) corrupted public servant structure, the question is what is not corrupted??,couple of Hotels and Lodges and Banking and generally good roads as for Africa do not make for the first world ,is it better than any other African country?in some way it is but influx of people from as far as central African Countries is changing this country for worst not by days but by hours. There is also no way to compare SA to Australia ,US or Canada as it is not in this league at all .And yet look at the entry of a someone calling himself ” linge” whispers” it is a Hate Speach.This guy thinks that he is bullet proof and that he can kill as he pleases ,bear in mind you arsehole that we watching you - SA -closer and closer and you are a racist yourself you ignorant, and if you count that your deeds are being overlooked than you terribly mistaken.Don’t count on this that the back door genocide ,killing of farmers which you introducing down there is not being seen ,and that paper value constitution is going to protect you for ever ,internal terror is as much dangerous as external one just because you black you think that you can F***k as you call it and as you want ? you black RACIST ! YOU ARE A TERRORIST!
more like you and your government not dealing with it in a proper manner than you all will shit your pants, guaranteed.Sunshine yes, wildlife yes, and wild idiots
like “linge”whispers” and this one can use a PC
and a panga but instead getting wiser is getting more stupid Hate Artisan , but most this type of them can only use pangas, knifes ,guns and bricks or the like. And being steered and conditioned in hate by indoctrinating hate artisans.And let me tell you ” linge” whisper “your place is there where all terrorist should be and South Africa would be much better place without people like you and color of skin does not matter at all.
And to Amanda every country has a good and bad points,sure ,so how many countries have you been to??UK and that’s about all . and the rest is your imagination. Somehow I have been traveling not once from one side of Europe to the other and not only that, Australia NZ …. too and been walking and driving wherever I wonted to ,including many places in UK, sure bad things may happen but this is hardly comparable and I haven’t been robbed once not to mention any other form of attack .”welcome to new SA you fuck with a BLACK MAN (linge)Ho Ho Ho these kind of probable humans will not make an effort to become one. And as if they differentiate who is an Afrikaaner and who is not. You ” linge” don’t F**k with a man you may not have that opportunity to shit in your pants, YOU RACIST. AND A TERRORIST..
You cant take people from the jungle and educate them. SA is a shit hole due to the coons now running it.
Who in the their right mind let that fucking upstart Mandela out? If the filthy coon was still locked up then there would not be a problem.
Niggers should be wiped from the face of the Earth. Problem solved.
U al talk some bullshit
you people are all twats living in denial. wait until you have actually been held by gun and knifepoint, been robbed by gunpoint and being told that if you move you will be killed. never mind your children being raped …. so while things may not be perfect in the uk, i can walk in the street without feeling tension between my shoulder blades wondering whats going on behind me. i can shop and walk to my car without being accosted from 15 different angles … etc
Which place among these is a good place to live.Kenya,Nigeria and Congo?Is it safe to be in these countries as i read all these,so scared a littlebit.
Please share your suggestions..
shit country 2 much crime
Hi,
I’ve stumbled upon this website, while trying to find something inspirational, something that will give me hope for the future.I did not find it here at all. I am a 28 white South African female,I feel ashamed of some of the things said here, and offended by comments made by non South Africans, White South Africans and black South Africans. Anyways, I would like to give you my point of view. I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s. I was 7 years old when Mandela was released from Robben Island. During that time I heard the grown ups talk about Mandela , and I remember asking my mother, what did he do that he was sent to jail ? She replied that he was a terrorist and he killed people. Well, me and my mom NOW know that the only thing he did “wrong” was figthing for something he believed in, fighting for freedom and equal opportunities for all. As a child I did not know anything about the politics, and yes we did have a black maid, but I never thought anything weird about it, all I cared about was playing games outside with my friends, children stuff. In 1994 I was 11 years old when Mandela became president. I was scared, because I was told he was a bad person…all the grown ups was so paranoid. I was in high school , learning a poem about apartheid when I really first understood what aparheid was really about. I remember sitting in English class, feeling ashamed of being white. As I got older I started reading more about Mandela and I realised what a great human being he is. So much love and compassion. It is so amazing that one person who struggled, faught and then sent to a prison took something so fucking negative and turned it into something positive. I do sometimes think that it’s so unfair to be punished for something that you were not apart of. Being punished for the previous generation’s mistakes and now worring about getting a job because of my skin color, yes skin color! And not because of my skills, kind heart etc.But then I think, well how unfair was apartheid? Well, I am stuck in South Africa and yes, I wish I had an opportunity to go live in another country, but I’d rather want to live it here and want South Africa to change into something better for all. Allot of black South Africans say that South Africa is not my country because I am white.( even though I was born here.) If South Africa is not my country, to which country do I belong to then?Allot of bad things are happening in SA, crime rape curruption ,and the thing that makes me the angriest and saddest is leaders who are suppose to look after the country and the people, -are looking after themselves instead. We need a good leader, someone loving and compassionate who really cares about the people and not the money and power. I think the reason for all the crime and curroption is because of incompetant leaders not doing what is right, making wrong decisions and using money to benefit themselves rather than looking after the poor. Aswell as people like Julius Malema, who keep holding on to apartheid/the past, blaming everything thats going on now on something that happened in the past. And not even trying to NOT make the same mistakes the old government made. I just wish everyone was more accepting, understanding, forgiving and loving towards one another, but instead there is hate ,resentment and disrespect towards others that are different. (AS you can see on this website) Basicly all I want at the end is a place I can call home, where I feel safe and wanted. The real big enemy here is evil- , hate, , selfishness resentment, and all of that creates, poverty, murder, rape. Is being different really such a huge problem, is over coming our difference bigger than the mutual goal or dream of living in peace (living without poverty and crime)?
I employ several South Africans in Australia and find them to be the laziest breed I have had the misfortune of ever meeting and yes they are white. They have totally stuffed up their own country and now want to come running to places like Australia for handouts and to be looked after . Stay where you are all of you and take your well deserved medicine of rape and murder as you should
Well, who actually gives a shit regarding the colour of the controlling power in this “Now becoming a shithole” of a country.
Its not because we are ruled by “black” people that the country is falling apart. Its falling apart because mostly non of the population want to work, and want everything handed to them on a silver platter.
People in power, have no education thats worth mentioning. How can un-educated people make educated decisions of whats best for the people? How can un-educated powers make educated discissions on how schools must be run, and how / what children must learn.
When i matriculated you needed a 50% pass minimum on all subjects, if not - u repeated the year. Now guess what, you only need 30% to pass matric? what does that tell you.
Not only is the “powers that be” un-educated, but the future leaders will have less education. This to me means we are going to spiral out of control and follow suit of zimbabwe!!!
I mean 17 years have passed and all people can do is bitch, moan and accuse the appartheid age! I mean really, that excuse has become as old and boring as bob mugabe!!!
Instead of bitching - act on it!! Get the country moving forward, lets grow and become strong.
For goverment - lets drop the colour shit you like to blame things on, and swollow some pride, lets get the people in that know what they doing to assist, train and educate you all so that you can stand alone and do the right things!! Make the right decissions!!
How great it would be if ie. Zuma got crime, corruption, jobs back to where is must be!! I would be the first person to shake that mans hand if he got it right!! Damn it man - i would pay double taxes to have great education for my children, safe streets for them to play on, and knowing that they will have a job to enter into in the future!!
Get rid of corruption and the crime, lose the attitude that people owe you something, drop the pride - lets ALL work together, stand together and help each other make the right decisions.
Then, and only then will the light shine on this country.
So RSA goverment - grow a spine, get help and make this a great success story!!!
Sjoe, how many thoughts about South Africa. It also depends where one lives in this country. We live near the Kruger Park, and how nice to wake up in the mornings with the sound of nature, and the most wonderful winters. Summers are very very hot. All these added things make one forget about all the politics and crimes in this country. What a beautiful part of the world we live in. Of course, don’t give me Johannesburg, I will not be happy there. When you come to live in this country, search for the place where you will be happy in South Africa. All over the world there are good and bad people. There is a lot of hard work to be done in South Africa. In time we will be winners!
I’m 16, and living in south africa. It makes me sick to think about what’s going on in my country. My intention is not to point fingers but most crimes are commited by blacks, eg. Farm murders, house breaking. Most of my aunts or uncles were robbed or almost robbed(just in the run of a month). And every case. They were black my whole family are considering guns . They(blacks) think were in a more favourable position. Which isn’t nessecarily true. I love south africa and I love its history . Cultures. And diversity. But crime, polygamy(zuma). Corruption and ruin are some of the many words that are senonymous with south africa. Don’t want to leave. But fear that someday it might come to that
Yes South Africa might not be the perfect country that it been considered to be and it the worst country in the whole worl. Indeed it is run by Africans which makes it even worse. What i pick from mainly the white is it was ok when we were under oppression, it was ok when we were consired the less than humans and worse than animals.
My belief is if you are a white person with an apartheid mentality leaving in this country and feel that this country is not for you than LEAVE and go back wherever you come from and never look back. we are in Africa we have our problems and we trying the best that we can to sought our problems the best we can. We never claimed to be the first world country.
It’s a good looking place, but let’s face the truth.
Over 3000 white farmers have been murdered in S.A. over the last 20 or so years. That’s as many people as were killed in the well publicised Northern Ireland Troubles that lasted 30 years. All the “positive mental attitude” in the world isn’t going to sort out the problems gripping the country and it is only getting worse.
I was a Rhodesian until the uprisings started in Bulawayo in 1978 and I moved down to Johnanesburg, where slowly but surely history started repeating itself.
Rhodesia became Zimbabwe ( Zimbabwe Ruins) and most of us burned our houses and left rather than hand them over to people who didn’t want to buy them, just break in shoot you and your family and just take over.
Zimbabwe has two black tribes that do not like each other.South Africa has about 13 and they all hate each other and fight for power, although they are the same colour. All you see on TV is the beautiful game reserves, but I lived there and was stabbed and nearly raped. Why? because I am white.. I could not go out alone even carrying a gun( I am a white female).I could not carry cash or a handbag or jewellery. My house had high barbed wire fences and security cameras. I carried a gun everywhere and was always looking over my shoulder.
Who the hell want to live like that? At the latest footage of 100 years of the ANC there were no white people at all.The whites and blacks do not get along.There are too many cultural differences.I am tired of hearing the ANC say the can’t get the country right because of the past apartheid. They just cannot run a country and never will be able to. They forget that in apartheid days everyone had jobs and the violent crime rate was very low.Now look at it! I noted that a lot of black people left the ANC 100 year celebrations so that speaks for itself.
I have seen people burned alive on the roadsides so If you want to live in fear and behind locked doors please emigrate there.If you can survive it is cheap as chips, but at a very high cost.
i want to respond to the last comment from - aFlowerUnfolds.
I would like to reach out to you because i can tell your comments came from the heart. It really breaks my heart that you feel this way. I would like to know more about your country especially from your perspective. Please email me should you get back on this site. My email is ck2010@usa.com
Really nice country full of really crappy people, including most of the government, police, and every state run organisation including the state hospitals. The military and police are little more than welfare organisations for lazy no-gooders. Hell, we have functionaly illiterate “officers” in our military, and low ranks that openly tell their superiors to “Eff Off”.
Outright hatred for the europeans is even openly spouted by the so-called politicians, and everyone blames the whites for the poor living standards of the so-called blacks. Who did these blacks blame for their poor living standards prior to the arrival of the whites ? They had nothing, not even a written language.
You will find some 20% of the black population have managed to work their way out of the gutter by sheer hard work, but often, elements from their own nation try to pull then back in.
Civilized (read wealthy) black people regard the masses as being poor due to them being too damn lazy to get an education or actually do some real work, and, in many cases, actually despise them.
The black on black crime level is largely unreported and super-staggeringly high. Black on white crime is reported and is also staggeringly high. Virtually all areas are no-go areas after dark - especially the large cities. Daylight robbery such as at traffic lights is also a large problem. Stop your car and the windows are smashed and goods grabbed. Alternatively, a knife or firearm is held to your head while you are robbed. Consider yourself lucky if you don’t get shot. Criminals are released on minimal bail (prisons are overcrowded) and they return to get revenge on those who reported them (including the initial victims). The police serve to protect the corrupt government officials, and many of those in uniform are criminals too. The rate of lost firearems by this so-called police force is mind boggling, with over 18 000 lost (or sold to criminals friends) across a period of seven years. Only 54 people were convicted for the loss of their weapons during the same period. Wow, that really sums things up, doesn’t it.
Life is worth nothing in Africa, and that includes South Africa. You can get murdered for just refusing to hand over a cheap cellphone, or even your school lunch money.
Corruption and nepotism in the government is so high that a recent study found that around 75% of tenders go to family and friends. Whistle-blowers are targetted and often killed.
Automatic teller machines are blown up (explosives) on a regular basis, cash in transit robberies are no longer front page news, and bribery is the national past-time.
Need one say more about this shithole ?
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