South Africa... It's bad...

[BillGeek]

I mean, let's be honest: If you don't do something about a bad situation, it will get worse. Right?

Not only is our President "lying" about the crime statistics (see here), we have a "presidential hopeful" who has been charged with rape and bribery, yet still he gets the support to be the next president. (See here) Then, to top it all off, the country gets an AU (African Union) review (see here) and the government says that it's inaccurate, and merely sweeps it out the way.

Fine, I'll accept the fact that every single country in the world has a problem, though how in the heck can the South African government expect us to live like this?

I went looking through Real Estate in Australia, the States, England, etc... ... and then S.A. Who can guess what the main difference is between them? In the First World Countries you can buy a house (for a package) and be safe in it.

In South Africa, however, when you buy a house, it looks like a prison. Burglar Bars in ALL the windows, security gates at every single door, fences around the house, (and I mean "devil's fork" fencing) an Alarm system, security lights... the list is never ending! Yet STILL I feel unsafe in my own home.

Please feel free to comment on this.

[mendhak]

That's why you're supposed to do what the rest of your countrymen do... leave. The great brain drain is underway, as I was told, due to a positive-racism quota being instilled into the workforce. Of course if you talk about it in a negative way, you are probably a racist. I, not being South African, am free to talk about it though.

[BillGeek]

Yip. I want to leave badly. I'm still working on my Visa and passport, and hopefully before the end of the year, I'll be able to leave this country.

The brain drain is a huge thing in South Africa as far as I know. And you're right: It's because of the reverse-racism (rather than positive-racism) in the workforce. And don't get me wrong: I'm not a racist. But where do you draw the line? As it stands, if I lose my job right now, I will never get a job in S.A. for a corporate company again. I have two years worth of experience in my current field, though a black applicant with NO experience in the field will be considered before me. I'm not blaming the companies, but rather the "laws".

And once again, I'm not a racist, but if that is how it seems, then people can call me whatever they want. I feel that I am being punished for what was done by others before me, even though I had nothing to do with the matter.

And you know what the best part is? I don't really care about any of this. They can throw out the whole BEE deal, they can employ whomever they want, and I can get as many job offers as possible. Nothing will change the fact that the country itself is going to ... you know...

Bringing the whole picture into perspective: Besides the fact about job insecurity, I now have to walk to my car and hope to still find it where I parked it, then drive home with the hope that I won't be hijacked. When I get home, I have to be cautious and hope no-one wants to kill me as I drive through my front gate. Then, while getting out my car, I have to be even more careful and first walk around my house to see if someone might be inside busy taking all my stuff out of my house. (Oh, and what happens if I shoot him in the leg, for example? He won't be charged with theft, but I will be for assult... anyway)

I'm feeling depressed...

[mendhak]

Where do you plan to go? There are a lot of Sethafrikanz here in the UK.

[BillGeek]

I don't know. Any first world country would suffice. I'm basically aiming either for the UK (I love rainy weather) or for Australia. (Apparently the climate and living conditions are similar to South Africa) I've heard rumours regarding South Africans in other countries, specifically the two mentioned...

It all depends on where I can get a job from. I know that with Siebel (the application I develop in) I get 60 out of the 120 points required to get into Aus. I have not checked anywhere else, and will still get to it.

Where would you suggest? (See my poll in CC)

[penagate]

The 'reverse racism' of which you speak is still racism.

The U.S., U.K., or Australia are the places I would aim for (if I wasn't already in Australia, obviously).

[homer13j]

I now have to walk to my car and hope to still find it where I parked it, then drive home with the hope that I won't be hijacked. When I get home, I have to be cautious and hope no-one wants to kill me as I drive through my front gate. Then, while getting out my car, I have to be even more careful and first walk around my house to see if someone might be inside busy taking all my stuff out of my house. (Oh, and what happens if I shoot him in the leg, for example? He won't be charged with theft, but I will be for assult... anyway)

And I thought I lived in a rough neighborhood... Your description sounds like parts of Detroit. Get out as soon as you can and don't look back.

[Shaggy Hiker]

Sounds like Homestead, Fl.

[mudfish]

I was thinking Miami.

[SurfDemon]

I can highly recommend Canada. Alberta has a massive oil boom going on, there are tons of jobs here. A large percentage of the population are immigrants (myself included) and the summers (Hot) and Winters (Snow) rock!

The collapse of the US dollar also means that it's cheap to buy things from the States.

The only real downside (and it is a huge downside) is the previlence of Country and Western music here......

[Fromethius]

You should come to America!!

Many of my friends have invited people like you into their homes for free to live until they got their own place. This is a program at my school.

I think you're a grownup but still, America is really nice. However, there are MANY other nice places! I've been to Canada and it's awesome! Also, my cousin has been to Australia and he said when he looked up in the air, instead of seeing crows and pigeons like you do in New York, you see tropical birds. However, I think that was only in the part of Australia he was in. Also, you could go visit john and ask him for help in .Net! That's a bonus! There's the great barrier reef and it sounds like a cool place to live.

The other place I'd suggest is the UK but really.. I have no idea what to say about them. The only things I could suggest is what I've heard from others.

[penagate]

Also, my cousin has been to Australia and he said when he looked up in the air, instead of seeing crows and pigeons like you do in New York, you see tropical birds.

Usually one sees the sky (unless you're in Melbourne).

There's the great barrier reef and it sounds like a cool place to live.

Bit wet, really.

[FunkyDexter]

I'd suggest is the UK

No, no no. For a start us Brits don't like ferners (this used to be a joke but it seems to be increasingly and unpleasantly truthfull in the last five years) and also the weathers rubbish... and so's the health service... and the transport system... and our government... and our society... and our teeth.

[SurfDemon]

Does anyone else find it strange that Ireland is having a conference to discuss what to do about the amount of immigrants they are getting? I find it ironic, in that there are arguably more Irish living outside of Ireland than in.....

As for living in the US, I can recommend Boston (or anywhere around there), that place is stunning in the autumn, and the people (apart from the ones raising money for the IRA) are great.

UK? Mmmmmm. I love the UK (being born there), but to be honest it has it's fair share of downsides, there are better places (IMHO) to live (ooooh - thats going to get a backlash)....

[BillGeek]

And I thought I lived in a rough neighborhood... Your description sounds like parts of Detroit. Get out as soon as you can and don't look back.

And the bad part... It's like that EVERYWHERE in South Africa. Not so much in the smaller cities, but it still happens there.

(PS: I guess I'm not going to Detroit then... )

[crptcblade]

(PS: I guess I'm not going to Detroit then... )

At least there you would have Robocop watching your back.

[homer13j]

The only real downside (and it is a huge downside) is the previlence of Country and Western music here......

Yeah, I feel your pain... The only thing worse is karaoke c&w sung by some horrendously drunk cowboy...

I can recommend Boston

I can recommend Boston only if you make truckloads of money and live very close to your job. Also remember Florida has no state income tax...

[shunt]

It sounds bad, us always crying about the crime and I have never really felt it personally before. However, I can definitely see the increase in crime now. In our complex we are now having vehicles broken into on a weekly (yes weekly) basis and apartments burgled monthly (and thats in a complex with 6 foot walls, electric fence, pin code access gate and remote drive through gate).

Worst of all, the cops do NOTHING. We had a witness which we had to take to the police station because the cops never came out. They lost the witness's statement and then lost the case file entirely (reaks of corruption I say). And I live in one of the top areas in Cape Town.

I was wondering how the less wealthy south africans are dealing with the polices inability to do anything. And over the past month it has become aparent. Newspaper articles showing pictures of local residence stoning suspected theives to death. In a way, I feel the same as those residence. You feel so helpless and frustrated that it is becoming a "take no prisoners" affair.

[shunt]

On the flip side, the weather is awesome down here. I have a view of Table Mountain and on the other side, the Atlantic seaboard. And this place is crawling with hot chicks too!

Still this is a great holiday destination. But do yourself a favour, do NOT go on those township tours. You are asking for trouble... In general it is poverty stricken and your $1000 sneakers could go along way for an impoverished south african.

[axion_sa]

Where do you plan to go? There are a lot of Sethafrikanz here in the UK.

We prefer the term Saffas

[Fromethius]

We should just all migrate to vbforums. It's safe there!

[Shaggy Hiker]

I keep waiting for this thread to wander off track, but it stays boringly on subject.

[Xanith]

I think we should take out Iran now before it’s too late. An air strike on their lone refining plant and a blockade of the Persian Gulf will shut them down in a hurry.

X

[BillGeek]

On the flip side, the weather is awesome down here. I have a view of Table Mountain and on the other side, the Atlantic seaboard. And this place is crawling with hot chicks too!

Still this is a great holiday destination. But do yourself a favour, do NOT go on those township tours. You are asking for trouble... In general it is poverty stricken and your $1000 sneakers could go along way for an impoverished south african.

I agree that South Africa has many attractive features and that it is truly a beautiful country, though it can not be allowed to carry on like this. I live in Johannesburg, which is basically "Crime Capital" for South Africa. Getting to work this morning I drove past TWO shops whom have been burgled... TWO in ONE NIGHT!?

Now, just to make matters worse: Jacob Zuma has won the election for President of the ANC party, which means that it's just a matter of time until some law gets changed (or something along those lines) in order for him to become President some day.

I still can't believe that a person who has been charged with Fraud, Corruption AND rape can still become the head of the leading party in parliament!

[Paul M]

Fine, I'll accept the fact that every single country in the world has a problem, though how in the heck can the South African government expect us to live like this?

Your government are the most corrupt bunch of people on the face of this planet. The money they receive from organizations doesn't make it to the people of the nation who are in dire needs of supplies.

As for countries to move to, Australia would be my first preference, because quite honestly we have the most sane people here, then America next and then the U.K.

[Shaggy Hiker]

I think we should take out Iran now before it’s too late. An air strike on their lone refining plant and a blockade of the Persian Gulf will shut them down in a hurry.

X

Thanks X, but the thread is veering back on topic, despite your effort.

[crptcblade]

Muhammad Ali vs Diet Pepsi

WHO YA GOT??

[BillGeek]

Your government are the most corrupt bunch of people on the face of this planet. The money they receive from organizations doesn't make it to the people of the nation who are in dire needs of supplies.

THAT, sir, could not have been said any better!

As for countries to move to, Australia would be my first preference, because quite honestly we have the most sane people here, then America next and then the U.K.

Thanks for the input. (Mental note made ) I'm currently looking at Australia / New Zealand, as they have the least strict rules of all the countries I've looked at so far...

On the bright side of that though, is that I won't have to get used to driving on the other side of the road!

[FunkyDexter]

I blame George Bush

[SunshineBH]

I'm a SAffer as well - did a year in the UK and the weather really got to me after a while - especially that whole daylight savings lark. Altho the Soccer there was awesome...

How about doing something different? Learn some Spanish and try get yourself into a South American country? I;m currently in Peru and its totally awesome here. Great people, great food and really beautiful country.