South Africa?

Question

With the recent xenophobic attacks, the disgustingthings that Robert Mugabe has done to his peple in Zimbabwe (which isn't actually in SA) and all the things that have been hurting South Africa's reputation - the head of police committing acts of crime, the ANC president being in court several times on charges of rape and the health minister stealing! I just want to know what you people think of South Africa? Because so many of my friends dont want to live here anymore and some are even leaving, and I would just love to get the thoughts of others from around the world on what they think about South Africa. Be honest, and please dont critise me about this question, I'm just a kid interested in what other people think of my Country!

Answer 1

Your question has summed up exactly what people think about this country. I am too scared to even think what things will be like when my 5 month old daughter is all grown up.

Answer 2

We are waiting for the right offer to leave, otherwise we will leave in 2 years.

Answer 3

I love South Africa, the country, with all its natural beauty, the friendly people.  I always hoped that I would be able to return and live there again, WHEN things settled down.

Unfortunately, things are becoming worse.  I respect and admire all those who choose to remain there, and respect and pray for those who are unable to leave.  Equally brave are those who seek a new life, facing hardships, difficulties, and discrimination in their new country of residence. I know it is not easy to leave one´s homeland, I have done it twice, and still think SA is the best place in the world!!

If I had remained in SA (we left in 2002, having returned to SA in 1993 with the firm belief that Mandela was the hoped-for magician) I would surely now be in Swartdakkies, Rooidakkies or Groendakkies with a nervous breakdown.  We simply HAD to leave when we did.  

It is so incredibly sad that the ANC did not rise to the occasion and help bring SA into the 20th century.  Instead they are hampering progress with their lax approach to crime and corruption, to aids and the safety of the nation!!  Instead of looking forwards, they keep turning around and pointing their fingers at apartheid!!  They cannot seem to find the end of the tunnel !!

Answer 4

We are planing to leave in the next two years (my hubby is a EU national and I am South African) The main reason is for the future of our two year old. The education here is terrible (unless you can afford to go private which we can't), you definitely need to pay for a medical aid as our public hospitals are a disgrace, our government is full of corrupt officials, I would rather phone our security company before I phone the police..the list goes on and on. Where we live, there is still crime but not as bad as in the larger cities such as Joburg, so we can still try to make the most of this beautiful country without being worried too much.

One thing I can tell you - having to read everyday in the newspapers about people being murdered, parents being shot in front of their children, new born babies being thrown in

pits, really does affect your state of mind, and even though I have tried to stop reading papers, it is still in your face all the time and can be quite depressing.

South Africa is a beautiful country with lots of potential and I will very sad to leave when we go.

Answer 5

I miss and love South Africa so much.  My family and friends still live there.  But when it came for a choice between my husband and I living in fear with our F&F or living in a country where we could feel safer, we had to choose safety and to start a family without fear of a corrupty and racist government.  South Africa has and will always be my home and the country that I love but for now I can't live there.  I am hopeful that oneday we will be able to move back, when it is safe and prosperous again.

Answer 6

Although I Love Southern Africa it has only bring misery (in the recent years) to those that live there. I left 5 years ago and although I do miss it, at least I am somewhat safe (for now.)

There is crime all around the world yes, but not to the extent of South Africa, there is even a war going on in Afghanistan and it was predicted to be safer than SA.

I love the country for it's beauty and that will never change but until the government changes for the better, people will flee for better places and quality of life.

Those who stay I admire their courage and the fact they can stand by their country, and for those who leave I admire that they can think beyond themselves and go for their families, not to say those who choose to stay don't do that. There is not one right or wrong thing to do, just follow your heart and take the opportunities thrown your way.

Answer 7

Leaving South Africa when I did was the best decision I ever made for me and my family. My parents and sister still lives in South Africa and for this reason only, my wife and I visit regularly. Each and every time we visit we are more shocked by how much the country has degenerated. Power cuts, absolute disregard for safety and lives of others, crime and over all, the total disinterest displayed by Thabo Mbeki and his cronies. Those who accuse South Africans who leave the country of not being patriotic enough are not speaking from an open perspective. Many of these have never left South Africa and have no idea what kind of freedom is available to people in other countries. I live without fear of being killed or beaten up on the streets at almost any time of the day or night. If I call the police, they come and deal with the problem. When I pay my taxes, the money is used for the betterment of the people and the country and not to line corrupt official pockets. I can fly anywhere without having to secure my bags like they are made of gold. The freedom is addictive. I will never come back to South Africa to live. I do not see things changing in the near future. It is VERY unfortunate because it is an incredibly beautiful country and is the place of my birth, but the South Africa of today is not the South Africa that was dreamed of by millions of South Africans and the world when Mr Mandela took over in 94. It is a sad fact that Mbeki and his buddies have done a pathetic job of handling crime and corruption. He is easily the South African equivalent of George W. It will take many years to get over his lack of vision and lack of willingness to take action. His complicity with Robert Mugabe shows just what kind of man he is and what his moral make up consists of. If you can leave, I would leave. There is more to life than locking yourself up all the time and living in a self made prison. You only have one life. I choose to live it where I can make a life for myself and my family without worrying about where or when the next criminal might jump out and attack.

Answer 8

South Africa is fine, it is colonialist liars like you who are ruining it. These are all lies, lies and more lies. Like my protege Bob Mugabe says, Gordon Brown and his cronies want to convince the African that he is inferior and steal his resources. When I sent aid to Britain they did not even thank me.

Answer 9

One thing you should know that each successful country has gone through difficult times. since 1994 the country has faced problems and its only 14 years. this is a period where we are faced with tramendous challenges. two wrongs dont make it right. i hated the nationalist govt and know i have hated this damB dixY c**p mbeki. But if you love your country do every thing for it. leaving doesnt make anything better. in every country you go to you experience problems. if your scared of crime in SA you will be scared of something different in the counrty you want to go to. this is the time when SA needs inteligent men and women. every thing can be turned around if we all stop pointing figures and hating black people in particular. a rainbow nation doesnt only mean different races it also means the wounderful and sad life people live in. let me give you an example. those people who left saying that they will came back when everything is okay are the dumbest. why? becuase leaving doesnt solve poverty crime etc. so may message is we need educated young men and women to make SA become one of the top ten economies for now we are in the top 20. but it all needs work patience and understanding. its not going to happen in one day it takes years of good and bad leadership. and we are in bad leadership at the moment but good times are ahead for africa though no one even ever thinks of it. africa is due to become a bread basket. how will it feel to enjoy the success. you will die happy and live happy.

God bless SA.

Answer 10

I'm stuck in South Africa and can't really get out now - I'm too old, I'm a pensioner, not enough money to go anywhere else, no suitable qualifications to try to work overseas - but for anybody else it's absolutely foolish to remain in this country. The country is going one way, and that's down, and while I will probably not be around to see it, anybody who has the rest of their life ahead of them and especially anybody with children will live to regret it if they're looking at being here in say 20, 30, 40 years' time.

If you're young, go and get established in some nice, normal place.

Answer 11

My daughter has lived in Jo-burg for the last three years and has a degree from Wits.  Before I visited a few months ago I couldn't put her in context.  I knew that the crime rate, AIDS infections, and number of rapes were astronomical, but it didn't have much meaning for me.  Now, since I have visited and have seen the "security" with which people try to protect themselves, the beauty of the land, the warmth of the people, I fear for her at the same time I admire her determination to make a career for herself.  Her boyfriend told us plainly that one of the reasons he doesn't want to marry her or have a family is that then if anything really bad happens she can freely leave.

When we were there a family was shot and killed at home at 6ish in the evening--broad daylight as it was March--in a suburb a number of miles north from where we were, a place considered "safe."  Nothing was taken.

I pray for leadership and the combined pressure from the outside world to bring some sanity and stability to the political situation and economy.  I will probably go back and visit this coming summer, but this forum has made me more cautious than I was on the earlier visit.  Things are always changing.