Yup, that's me. I've been here for almost 3-months and have been filled with FEAR from the moment I got here. I've never felt so terrorized in my life--not even after 9-11. And I haven't even been robbed or victimized in anyway (Is it because I don't go and haven't been anywhere? ........Probably). But I assume there has to be something great and (POSITIVELY UNIQUE) about this country...
So if you're South African, PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN (like that radio advert says), can you share some of your more wonderful experiences with me?
I prefer to hear from South Africans who are currently here in RSA...we all know how nostalgia can cloud the memory. After 3 months here, I swear I was eating the best food, with the best people, and had the best social life when I was back home (USA).
2006-11-16 01:49:26 · 13 answers · asked by Mrs B 1 in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ South Africa
Jordan, spare me the grimey details and answer the question.
Sanmigsean, do you even UNDERSTAND the question(s)? I didn't ask for a comparison of South Africa to America. I didn't even compare South Africa to America. I asked what was positively UNIQUE about SOUTH AFRICA?
If you can't answer that without trying to belittle another group of people (or place), consider yourself unqualified to answer the question and move along.
2006-11-16 02:59:19 · update #1
Hey, honestly it's not me. It's the locals that I've been around that tell me all these horrible stories and act like getting mugged if you walk out after sunset is inevitable.
2006-11-16 17:37:39 · update #2
i LIVE in estern cape........i dont lock doors or anything......have no problems.......my two kindergarten kids walk around bythemselves to neighbours and so on........it is great......i dont have a guard dog, alarm and such like......i go away weekends and come back......no probs........my neighbour doesnt even lock his house....
2006-11-16 21:49:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sad in South Africa, only you can change that...
You yourself say that you've never been robbed, or victimized in anyway!!!! And to compare our country with the 9/11 incident, what kind of a sick American are you?
No wonder the idea we've got of Americans is that you are bombastic people who think they own the whole world!
Where do you stay? You never even mentioned where you are situated...
If you are so afraid in Sunny South Africa, get your asss back to the USA!!!! or get out and have some fun!!!
Go see a lion or two or an elephant in the Kruger National Park, go visit Soweto, try some mopaniworms, even a white girl like me had some, and I am still alive. Go to a club, have some fun, go shake your boody on the beach, visit the V&A waterfront and eat some ice cream on the dock, go play with lion cubs in a zoo, go do some shebeen crawling in Hammanskraal, go see a movie!!!!
South Africa is a great country... Sitting in your apparment won't show you the Sunny side of this country. Yes, when you walk alone at night, you might get mugged, or raped, but we all could go through that. It depends on where you go, are you alone, what do you do!
Just beware of what is going on around you. Don't leave your handbag on your seat while driving. At night, close your car windows, and yes, lock your doors at night when you go to sleep. It sounds worse than it really is.
Common, you can do it, I know. You came all the way to South Africa, why not live your life?
2006-11-17 04:14:01 · answer #2 · answered by poepies 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Joburg might be more dangerous than USA, but the rest of the country is probably safer. I'm from USA and have the following to say after 15 years abroad, 3.5 years in Africa (Nigeria) and many trips to SA.
A) most South Africans I have met are much more genuine than Americans, and are really nice people once you get accepted by them, but you have to reach out.
B) The food in SA is excellent, and especially beef and local wines are way way better than anything produced in the USA.
C) the nature is beautiful
D) South Africans can party as good or better than people in th US
My suggestion is to go out and meet people, and get over it. The USA isn't really THAT great, also not bad, but not that great. If you are missing some friends, that is a fact of life. If they are as close as you think they are they will come visit - but be prepared to be disappointed, most won't even think about making the effort.
Instead of spending time and effort missing a (at the most) mediocre country, enjoy your current surroundings and get out and see a few of the many beautiful beaches or game parks!
2006-11-16 10:02:10 · answer #3 · answered by Sanmigsean 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm with the last two guys on this.
Get out of Joburg or Gauteng and go visit a nice quiet area for a while. The crime isn't bad everywhere.
Go to Cape Town or Durban, but don't stay in the cities themselves, but rather in small villages nearby.
That way you can spend the day time in the city, and the nighttime going to local pubs and restaurants in the villages that are much quieter and safer.
That is really the best tip I can give. And also don't be afraid to get out more often, even if it's only to daytime activities like local flee-markets and events.
2006-11-16 13:13:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anria A 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Obviously coming from another country with all ideas about South Africa that were planted in your head, and stories that you've heard will make you petrified of this place, but it's really not as bad as it seems!
Ok so South Africa is full of crime, corruption, unemployment, etc...but in the end it's a great country with beautiful scenery, friendly people, good jobs and great entertainment. Crime and corruption is all around us but it does not mean that you will fall victim or witness any of it firsthand! It's not as if it is happening around every corner in front of your eyes! Daily life in South Africa is like living anywhere else in the world with very few differences. We do not live in a country where every policeman is corrupt or a criminal, where you see someone getting mugged, raped shot or killed in front of you as you leave your house, where roads are sand and not tar, where people don't know what a computer is, where cellphones have not come into existence yet. As opposed to some of the other countries I've been to, you can walk the streets in SA and greet a passer by, a complete stranger and be greeted back with a smile. Even some of the criminals are courteous enough to tell you to have a good night after they rob you, lol! I'm not even joking, it happened to my friend. I have lived in SA my whole life and I still love it here! I enjoy every day I spend in this country and I intend to live here for many years to come!
You really do not have to be scared of living in this country. Rather feel free to do what you please but just be aware of what is happening around you. For instance, don't let somebody follow you home and then say, 'I didn't see him following me', but rather know who is behind you and watch if they following, etc. I really love this country and I am a police reservist too-I have seen lots of crime related incidents and I can live with it and not be worried. We live in a great place and I hope that you will learn to not be afraid!
2006-11-17 04:25:19 · answer #5 · answered by Motti _Shish 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Okay, here we go. You didn't say where in SA you were and what you were actually doing there.
So the best I can say is get yourself to Cape Town. If you need to work, go find a job there but get yourself there.
Then you will be able to go for walks on the beach.
Drive out into the country side - 20 min to 1/2 hour and you are already in rural countryside.
Then you would begin to understand why we love the place so much.
Where are you?
2006-11-16 12:52:01 · answer #6 · answered by london.oval 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Girl, you are doing this to yourself. STOP IT! Enjoy SA, its such a beautiful country, there's no reason for you to be all locked up when you have so much to do around town. Which city are you in? Don't answer me. Just get out there, if you don't have a car, jump in a taxi or a bus and explore the city. If you don't know where to go, ask the drivers and they will tell you how to get around town. Don't speak to them as if they are deaf, they are black not stupid. They always complain that Americans treat them like that. I know, I have a few drivers of my own. Enjoy SA girl, have fun!!!!!
2006-11-17 12:01:43 · answer #7 · answered by DolphinLami 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why are you so scared??? Get over it! South Africa is a wonderful place to live. If you don't get out and enjoy your town you will never know if it really was so bad. Go to the clubs, try something new. Don't let fear keep you caged up and keep you from living you life.
2006-11-17 04:30:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sad in South Africa, damn you must be something wrong. I honestly believed someone told you, when you get to South Africa lock yourself up in your room and don't wonder around. You seriously need to get rid of your fear and start doing some site seeing, you are seriously missing a beautiful country by staying inside.
Go out and enjoy yourself, South Africa is waiting to be explored.
2006-11-17 00:25:17 · answer #9 · answered by Barney B 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was in SA six months ago.
We went for long walk at night and our door was only locked when we went to bed. My wife used to go jogging on her own in the morning. We went swimming in a lagoon at midnight (alone). Once or twice we stuck out a thumb and hitched a ride to the beach. We walked everywhere (didn't have a car) and never once did I feel unsafe. Sounds like you ,might be stuck in Jo'burg. Get outa the cities and go hang out with some locals, you'll love it!!!
2006-11-16 19:36:18 · answer #10 · answered by waygook 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I agree with barney... get out and have fun... Come to limpopo province and i guarantee you will love it... there's soo much to do... im kinda thinkin in the lines of doing some elephant riding at mooketsi, so come to limpopo and experience the best part of SA.. Cheers Cheers!!
2006-11-17 03:16:35 · answer #11 · answered by Hector 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋