I never thought of South Africa

[synthia]

Even though I lived and worked there (in Welkom, of all places) for two years in the early 80's, I never thought of going back there to live. Now that I think of it, I can see the appeal of living somewhere like Capetown or Durbin. I don't think I'd go back to Welkom.

When I was there, in addition to the obvious issue of apartheid, Welkom was a booming community with a lot of ex-patriate workers. In the two years I was there, I had one employee from the Netherlands, two from England, and one from Israel.

I'm sure Welkom wouldn't be like that now, but I wonder about Durban and Capetown.

[Peterc]

I agree with you completely, South Africa was often in our travel plans and used to go there every month for family who live in Johannesburg. Cape Town is getting more and more expats living there. The quality of life is superb and the climate is enviable.

[attagirl]

I have never been there, let alone think about moving there. But your information really peaks my interest in what they have to offer. What else can you tell us about these areas.

[apricot]

I am a South African (now living in the US). I miss my country - the beautiful landscape and wildlife - but will never move back there. Sadly South Africa boasts one of the highest crime rates in the world as well as one of the highest HIV infection rates. Murder, rape, hijacking - it's all part of many people's days in the country and it's a tragedy that the government refuses to see the problem.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is being hosted in South Africa and FIFA has warned that they will move the venue if something doesn't happen to change the crime situation.

[synthia]

I just talked to some people who had been traveling there. They enjoyed it, but said they felt as if they were in a prison with all the precautions they had to take.

[Peterc]

Yes crime is bad, no one can deny that but the police force is getting better and crime is slowly decreasing. A beautiful country and nice friendly people mostly, a bad few let the whole image of the place down. The change of governments unfortunately saw a decrease of the ability of the police force.

[synthia]

I drove everywhere on my own when I was there, but now I gather that, say, driving from Johannesburg to Capetown as a single female wouldn't be advisable.

[apricot]

Sad thing is the whole country is on strike at the moment in the education, health, and public service sectors. This affects the economy really badly and of course does not do much for the morale of the country...

[synthia]

No, that doesn't sound like fun at all. Are doctor's on strike, too?

[rem]

I am an expat living in South Africa and I fels that all that was said about crime on this page are inaccurate. I have been here for 7 years (between Durban and Cape Town) and I drive around the country regularly. Yes, the crime is an issue of concern but here in Gordons Bay (a subur of Cape Town) I have left my car parked outside and unlock (though not intentionally) on a number of occasion. The crime situation is high but not as scary as posted here.

I am on this forum ços I have been selected to apply for immigration to NZ and wants to find-out about NZ. I must say that I am leaving SA with a great deal of reluctance. I have to leave because of the high-tech nature of my work which means that I need to find more challenges.

As a matter of fact, having gone through the discussion on NZ forum, I doubt that leaving SA is a good idea. For instance in terms of crime, I understand that there were about 150000 burglaries in NZ last year, in a population of 4 million. Per-capita SA is nothing near that.

Driving from Cape Town to J'burg ? That will be a matter of choice. I doubt that startistically, it is less safe than briving between London and Manchester.

The strike, what strike ? I have not see the effect of the strike. Now, that is being cheeky. I get all my services from the private sector.