What Do You Think Of South Africa? What Are Your Thoughts About Visiting Or Living In South Africa And Why?

I love South Africa. I really do. I am one of Mandela's children and a speckle of colour in our rainbow nation. I am so proud to be South African. My patriotism stems from the beauty of our landscape, the depth of our diverse cultures, the beat of our languages and most significantly, our privilege to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

We are truly "alive with possibility". As a young South African, however, the levels of poverty, crime and cultural discrimination do frustrate me. Then, we host an event such as the World Cup and the nation comes together as one. Pigmentation is no longer a barrier. We stand together.

I just wish we could stand together against all the issues that face us South Africans.... It would be a truly amazing country. Which it is - we just need to GO THAT EXTRA MILE. I've always believed we can and will :)

All the racists should just get the H**l out of SA, It will be a better place to live in.

I am from Ireland but I have been living in SA for 5 years already. We live in Betty's Bay on the south coast and it is very nice and quiet.
Having said that there are still many problems to be sorted out, tops among them is crime. This is the one which hits the headlines and no doubt it is a problem.
But don't let this put you off as there are ways of combating it, and also it probably is no worse than anywhere else if all is taken into account. There are many places in Dublin where I would not go and also many other cities.

If you are earning a local salary the cost of living is quite high, but if you are converting from hard currency you will get reasonable value. That is after the banks have taken off their hefty conversion charges.
Many retired Europeans now have part time homes here and they commute on a regular basis.
I hope that this is of help. Alan

It makes me sad that people are sometimes so negative about SA . I'm so in love with the place.It is a magical place. Dreams come true here.I've live overseas before and I still think this is the place of milk and honey. Every culture has something to be proud about and it is no different in South Africa. I'm proudly South African and people say that we are so diverse to be seen as one. To those people I just want to say look closer. You will see the similarities in us all. We are all South Africans. We might not look the same or speak the same languages, but we are the heart beat of South Africa

South Africa is a country that's alive with opportunities and full of beauty and diverse culture all around. For some one from a foriegn country to come and live here will be a bit of a problem as it will be difficult to blend in with all the racists roaming the streets.

16 years of democracy...that's a long time and by now I would expect that the racial tension amongst the population would have been a thing of the past. I some times feel very sad to see black people, Indians and coloureds of South Africa getting along so good and we (whites) still plotting to do or say something that will pull them backwards.

Times have changed and we (whites) need to accept it an move on to building a strong nation that every one will be proud of.

Since the apartheid period, South African has gone through a lot of social, political and economic changes. Although many of the problems of the past have improved since, there are still some racial tension amongst the population, especially due to the disparity between the social and economic status of white and black South African populations. As a place to visit, South Africa offers its wonderful wildlife and spectacular scenaries, and certainly offers a great constrast in terms of culture, climate and people to someone that comes from European or Asia background. It should be one of the destinations for any trips to Africa.

I'm not from south africa but am from africa and have lived else where. I went to south africa to study first in cape town and then in joburg. Its such a beautiful country but its very frustrating and upsetting living in such a racist environment together with the levels of crime, particularly in Joburg.

I love South Africa I live in Johannesburg but I am afraid that Crime, Politics, Work and Racism is forcing me to think alternatively and move to a place over seas where I can and will be much happier.