Have you been in South Africa, where and what did you think about this country?

Answer 1

I am a South African. I have read through all the various answers by people and thought I should throw in my two cents worth.

I think one should look at South Africa within a realistic context (just like one would look at what is happening in every other country in the world, whether the USA or New Zealand or Burundi) - the reality of South Africa is as follows: the country came from a very dark place where racial segration was legislated - the absolute minority group had the best of all things, all other groups were seen as inferior and for a long time as sub-human. In 1990 things started to change, by 1994 there was for the first time a majority government and by 1996 a new constitution. The new government had to address issues that were absolutely overwhelming: years of segregating people and only developing services for one group (the white population) which left the majority of people without the most basic care. In the past 12 years the government has had to deal with providing educating for people who were for decades given inferior education (because non-white people were only supposed to be good for being the servants of the white man); had to start providing housing for people who were removed from their homes by bulldozers to remove them from the sight of white people and dumped in areas with no services and inadequate housing; etc. Realistically it is not possible to remove decades of injustice in 12 years, so the country has poverty, a great deal of poverty (I know I work as a social development worker), it is riddled by HIV/AIDS (and this is not just a black disease in SA!) and there is crime (which had been there before, but of course not in the white areas - so a shock to that group -& it has increased with years because policing in South Africa has big problems, least of all that police officers are working under enormous stress with insufficient counseling and they are killed daily in the line of duty), but there is a distinct effort to improve things. Yes, sometimes it feels like a loosing battle, but the next morning we (the overall majority of South Africans) get up and start all over again.

Racist attitudes of people: most people in their 40s or older were brought up in a country where they were told from the time they were born that the white man is superior. It takes time to get that racist attitude out of people and often it can only be done with time, when the racist people die out. Young people with racist attitudes are generally the offspring of these people and fortunately they are not too bright and they are few and getting fewer with time. Racism is something that will never die out - look at the USA - the KKK is still running around, and please let us not forget the scenes from Katrina (black Americans mostly and some few very poor white Americans in absolutely desperation and the government taking its time to act...). So one can expect racist comments in most places in the world (certainly by just browsing through Yahoo answers will give you a sense of how racist people are) and people will make racist comments, but I have found that often people will call the person to order and only through countering racist talk and comments (instead of just keeping quiet) pressure will be put on such idiots to either keep quiet or change their views or go and be with their kind (and unfortunately you will find such clusters in most countries in the world that has several races living together).
And of course racism is not just a white-black thing, it can also be a black-white thing and understandably in SA there is a very radical black group who feel the white people should leave and that they are the enemy. But like the white racists, this group represents the absolute minority of the black population. And neither the overall white or black populations of the country should be tarred with the 'racist' brush - certainly one would not call all white people in the US racists??

I think every single South African should be given a slap on the back for the effort we are all putting into re-building the country. And the overall majority of white South Africans are working hard at making this country work and to overcome their racist upbringing.

It is a wonderful country, it is beautiful, the people are wonderful, and it is alive with hope. It is a miracle country.

Answer 2

I've been to many places in SA over the years, and it's a beautiful country. Not so dangerous as some people say, but you have to be wary about where you go. Some places are a definite no-no, but these generally aren't the sort of places where visitors would want to go.

The only true disappointment for me were the white South-Africans. Some were really nice, but generally I thought they were loud, often rude towards the black, even racists. Racist issues were discussed very often without any particular reason. Sometimes the very first question a white South African would ask me, was along the lines of: "Nice country, isn't it? Shame about the blacks, though. They are messing things up, don't you agree?"

I couldn't cope with the fact that generally the whites are loud, they drinks lots of beer, eat huge chunks of meat, boast about their country and complain about the black people.
Meanwhile, the black people clean the white people's homes, they do their laundry, they clean their toilets etc.

I know I am not doing justice to the nice and kind white South Africans, but the overal picture that stuck with me every time was like this. Therefore, while the country as such is one of the most beautiful I know in Africa, I prefer to stay away from South Africa when I have the choice.

Answer 3

I worked for a few years in South Africa as a tour leader. I traveled severely times on my own or with a group through South Africa.
It's a beautiful country, with modern cities, a beautiful coastline with sandy beaches. Game Parks, mountains, fruit and wine, small towns, But a big difference between poor and ridge people, also a big contrast in the places were they live, the things they can afford, like Medicare or food. To many things to tell in a few words.
Most of the people I've met were very friendly, I visit several townships and met there also a lot of friendly people.
The only thing I couldn't get used to was that there still seems to big a big difference between white and black people in some parts of South Africa. I sometimes felt ashamed of the way White people were behaving.

Answer 4

Hey poepies... i Love south africa... born and raised here.. and still here!!! The crime is there.. but there are ways of working around it. My opinion... South africa is the country to visit or live in.. If you want more info send me a message.

Answer 5

Poepies, South Africa rocks! Been here all my life and would never leave for anything! I live on the East coast and love the fact that I can experience sun, sand, and snow on the same day if I wanted to, as well as bush life, and and first world city life.

Answer 6

I've been all over South Africa. From Cape Town to Pretoria. And I went by car. Great stuff! I think it is a great country. It's my country. And I'm very proud of it!

Answer 7

I was born there and spent my childhood there, now im living in Portugal where people are so diferent over here, like here people look allways sad, while there people are in far worse situations and allways happy! I miss SA like hell my dad doesnt wanna go back but the rest of my family would like to go and visit our family(that lives there), so I guess we have to go without him cause its been almost 6 years!

Answer 8

Ja! Live here!! Lekker hier. I'm proudly South African - corruption crime, unemployment, shitty transport system, overworked and underpaid and all. I'm immune to it all!

Answer 9

nopz...but i have few south africans frendz here in gulf...and they didnt impress me much abt the country...except its beauty...i think its a scary place...coz they were telling me abt the crime rate over there....but i wud definately visit it once in my life..coz ive heard its a very beautiful country...

Answer 10

I come from SA...I love it!! It's the best place ever!! I'm really glad I was born in SA...it's really beautiful!!