This question is aimed at non-South African residents. I am conducting research to ascertain the factors that would deter a tourist from visiting South Africa. Considering the Soccer World Cup is going to be hosted in South Africa next, I am interested to know what the rest of THE WORLD knows about South Africa. Please don't be shy...
2006-09-06 01:50:25 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ South Africa
I live in USA (in Las Vegas) - and we see very little about South Africa on the news except the AIDS crises once in a while - but I travel to SA 6 times a year without any fear and with great excitement. It is a lovely country with the so much hope. People are friendly and open.
I have taken over 20 people during the last four years with me to SA and all of them have either returned for a second visit or plan to. One actually now lives permanently in SA. The country has a way of creeping into you. Why do you think the likes of Will Smith, Oprah, Bill Clinton, etc keep going back to SA? Also when one is in SA the quality of the news on their broadcasting is excellent. So much better than here in the USA. Their news cover the world and their politicians are open and one knows what is going on. Very sad to say the our present administration here in the USA is everything but transparent. They can learn a lot from SA.
Yes, I would visit anytime.
2006-09-10 00:17:38 · answer #1 · answered by wagbietjie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Germany you hear about HIV/AIDS and the high crime rate with a lot of violence (earlier this year a group of german tour operators was mugged in Cape Town - that was big in the news, especially as those were the people who are supposed to sell tours to SA to others...).
On the other hand we've got a TV-Staion that shows a lot of wonderful documentaries about the Nature Parks in Southern Africa. So we do get to see/hear both sides of the story.
Personal experience: I lived in SA for a year and my mom (69 years old) was very suprised that I cooked on an electrical stove and not on open fire, that I had a washing machine and even a dishwasher... but I guess that's just a different generation and Africa is still associated with "bush" for them...
2006-09-08 01:14:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi, I'm South African, but living in London.
We have magazines here like the TNT, which is read by all backpackers alike. It generally paints SA in a good light.
Generally most people I meet, assume that SA must be wonderfull since Apartheid ended.
A few still think we live in the bush (chuckle lol)
The only people who have a negative opinion, believe it or not, have it because they heard from another South African that it is bad.
It seems we are our worst enemy this side, burning our own bridges.
As long as we stop spreading negative press, people will not have their mind polluted.
2006-09-07 11:30:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anria A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all we ever read about SA in canada is the AIDS problem .. occasionally the crime ... do you think SA is ready to host the world in 2010?
the world has no clue about SA - but when they come, they will all fall in love... as long as they don't get mugged.
2006-09-06 08:17:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋