I was brought up in South Africa (although not born there) and I struggle to understand why people in other countries have a negative attitude towards South Africa.Not only foreigners,but ex pats too.
There are some (friends of mine) who constantly put down South Africa and repeat that they will never return there to live,but proudly support the rugby and cricket teams which I think is a contradiction.My attitude is that if you don't accept the country for what it is and embrace the change that has happened,then p*ss off to another country but don't tell everyone how great the South African sporting teams are and how much you miss 'home'.
Fact - the South African constitution is the most democratic in the world!
2006-10-26 05:27:08 · 20 answers · asked by the_dood_in_the_car 1 in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ South Africa
If people have a negative attitude towards SA let them,they are the one's who are mising out on the greatest country in the world.There is so much natrual beauty in South Africa that is unparalleled anywhere else in the world.I have travelled to many countries and been to many different cities in the world,but none can compare to SA.The people in South Africa make it one of the warmest countries in the world.So,there is crime,but SA is only in it's 12th year of unification and there are bound to be teething problems.The economy is growing,people want to invest in an emerging nation like SA.
People in the UK don't understand how good the lifestyle in SA is.At the end of the day we don't have a 90 minute journey home in the cold,wet and dark environment.....at that stage we are walking our dogs on the beach!!!!
And the best part of living in SA is sitting around a braai on a Saturday afternoon waiting for the Currie Cup rugby to be shown on tv while sinking a few ice cold Castles......it's world class!
2006-10-26 22:49:07 · answer #1 · answered by Benno 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
South Africa is a great place. I had the opportunity to visit Durban (on business) and travel around KwaZulu-Natal for almost a month in 2001. Everywhere I went, everyone was so friendly and helpful regardless of skin color.
I went into some rather remote areas around Isandlwana, but sensed no danger at all.
Old habits die hard...anywhere I wanted to go in the harbor (around where I was working), I could go, and security guards would let me right in, and I think it was just due to the fact that my skin is white. And it's probably pretty obvious that I'm an American.
Still haven't figured out why people still vote for the ANC-COSATU-SACP coalition; give IFP or another small party a chance - Mangosuthu Buthelezi could do a good job! At least the RSA is not going the way of Zimbabwe...someone needs to throw Robert Mugabe out on his ear...but that's just an outsider's perspective.
I'd love to go back there some day and see the rest of the country.
2006-10-26 05:45:21 · answer #2 · answered by sandislandtim 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Johannesburg is the next largest city in Africa, with more than 3 million people contacting this busy metropolis house and if you wish to visit that amazing town then that hotelbye is the area to start. Johannesburg presents visitors an event as distinctive and varied as the city itself. If you are on business, looking for a cultural experience, an adrenaline dash or simply just wish to curl up and unwind for a few times, the town of Johannesburg has every thing you are looking for and more! In Johannesburg you can look at the Soweto (an abbreviation for South-western Townships) at 20 kilometres southwest of Johannesburg. That place presents guests a trip in to the heart of the struggle for flexibility and the birthplace of the battle for democracy.
2016-12-20 15:01:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
...we are so democratic that everything is presented as it is and people are just used to lies as in their coutries 'freedom of speech and expression is limited'. Thats a fact!!!
South Africa is without a doubt the most unique country in the world. Besides being blessed with four seasons, Africans are warm and welcoming people...and I just love coming from a country with such a rich culture. If you're proudly South African, you know at least two languages with the exception of English..thats whats awesome about my country. We are so diverse..and we embrace our diversity!!! visit my country one of this good days and make sure you end up covering all nice provinces to see and experience SA's uniqueness and diversity.
2006-10-26 21:53:31 · answer #4 · answered by CJ 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you do not live in South Afrca right now, it is impossible to comment on why your friends talk SA down. I am a SA'can too and I am living in another country for 3 months now. I think your friends want to complain and at the same time they feel sorry that such a beautiful country must go to waste. Here are some facts.
The SA government is going to (instead of addressing the crime, poverty and unemployment issues) spend 11+ billion rand of tax money on the World cup 2010. They are going to build stadiums which could become white elephants. SA has world class stadiums at the moment.
The SA government (although they deny it is a Zimbabwian style method) is going to reposses farm ownwd by white farmers for generations and give it to black people. They initiall offered to buy the land, but lately they decided to take it. The black farmers believe in subsistance farming and do no have the technology to produce food at the current scale.
I am not going to talk about crime, but in the time it took you to read this, at least 5 women have been raped, 26 people have been hijacked in JHB, hundreds have died of AIDS, at least 2 farmers have been murdered and who knows how many burglaried have occured.
So one has to live in a country to comment on it. Your friends still love the country and its sport, but they do not love the government and they can not do anything about it.
2006-10-26 05:49:33 · answer #5 · answered by chatting_za 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Although I've never been to South Africa, I understand it is a beautiful country. Maybe people are picking on it because of past and current problems, but what country doesn't have problems?
At least South Africans seem to be working hard to fix their problems, which is more than can be said for a lot of other countries.
2006-10-26 05:37:17 · answer #6 · answered by Gallifrey's Gone 4 · 5⤊ 2⤋
I went to South Africa in early 1997 on business, working with a company that was prominent during apartheid, but which had partnered with a number of black-owned businesses. I enjoyed most of my stay, but I kinda sorta neglected to tell my family back home that my hotel was surrounded by barbed wire fences for protection. Crime is an issue, and I don't know that it's gotten much better.
That having been said, I'd return to South Africa in a heartbeat. I'd steer clear of Zimbabwe, however...
2006-10-26 09:11:52 · answer #7 · answered by ontarioemperor 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Try posing your question to the hundreds of thousands who have been murdered or died from AIDS in South Africa. Or look at the criminal Government most of whom have been convicted for fraud and still sit in Parliament. Do you think that 1000's and 1000's of South Africans left because they wanted to? They left because of the crime and corruption not to mention a Communist Government hellbent on racism to drive them out. Ever been subjected to BEE or the Employment Equity Act which are designed to discriminate against White people particularly Males. A not so clever way of ensuring the traditional head of the household cannot work and support his family. Apartheid has gone but the kleptomaniac ANC replaced it with xenophobia and the hellhole is a haven for criminals. You can have the best Laws in the World but the ANC are unable to enact them - fact. Physical beauty can never replace the soul of a Country and South Africans of all colours lost their soul when the ANC took control. God help anyone who dares to go near the place for the 2010 World Cup. They dont know what they are letting themselves in for despite all the lies of the ANC and Danny Jordaan that they can look after them. You dont have to tell anyone to p*ss off as they are entitled to expect to live their lives in freedom and not worry about the next murder,rape,assault,hijacking or to be able to send their kids to school without being assaulted and murdered by other pupils and/or exposed to drugs. You have a strange inability to understand why civilised people reject the criminal society that South Africa has become.
The usual denialist shite from the Loving Resistance Fighter. This morning Taxi Drivers have caused the closure of many of Johannesburg's highways through blockading them and burning tyres. They are also reportedly smashing the windows of passing motorists and waving guns around. The Police are firing rubber bullets at them to try and break it up but more Drivers are on their way.Pretoria is also affected and yesterday it was Cape Town. What " emerging democracy" are you building? You should try civilisation first and then maybe you can move into the Dark Ages.
2006-10-26 06:01:32 · answer #8 · answered by Alf Garnett 3 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Every knob who thinks they know what South Africa is all about always pulls that old granny www.crimexposouthafrica.org or others like it out the hat and goes "See, South Africa is crap!"
Funny how the South Africa I live in doesn't look like that. Even funnier is how everyone who complains about South Africa being soooooo bad doesn't live here.
Some idiot is going to jump out of the woodwork after I've put this up saying something like "JUST OPEN YOU EYES!" or "Just wait till someone rapes your daughter." or "If you lived in South Africa, you wouldn't say things like that." Someone will obviously also say that I am in DENIAL and am not a REALIST. Which finger am I holding up?
Well, I live in South Africa. There are problems we have to face as an emerging democracy (which some smart @ss will refute by calling it a kleptocracy), which every emerging democracy has had to deal with. Crime is an issue but it is not the warzone false prophets make it out to be.
Since when did a negative action based on a negative idea who's purpose is to promote a negative image of a country EVER change anything. Show me an example in history where negativity resulted in a positive change and I will eat my words.
I love this country and for those who wish to flee and not be a part of this country's rebuilding - so be it. Enjoy the "greener" grass.
Yes, Alf responded as expected with the denialist tag. How original. Having previously taken a stance against the governments inactivity toward crime and Neil Watson's take on it (which you can see, if you do research on my postings Alf) he ignores it and then proceeds with the name calling which he accuses me of. Gotta love that selective memory.
2006-10-26 20:05:11 · answer #9 · answered by Ni Ten Ichi Ryu 4 · 1⤊ 5⤋
My husband has many relatives in South Africa, who love the Country and it's Culture.
I don't know anyone who has a wholly negative attitude towards it. Yes, they have violent crime there, but so does every other country in the world.
2006-10-26 05:39:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋