would you

Author
Discussion

melhookv12

Original Poster:

958 posts

174 months

Friday 20th May 2011
quotequote all
i'm a english male, i am single, i am a fully qualified mechanic. england to me is boring, i have been to SA 3 times, would you move there if you were in my poisiton, if you could, any ideas how hard it would be. ?????

Pints

18,444 posts

194 months

Friday 20th May 2011
quotequote all
Things are supposedly improving in South Africa, but I've left there for England, and won't be going back.

On another note, I doubt you'll get much response in this section. It's one of the most quiet sub-forums; just take a look at the previous thread, not a single response. Try the lounge.

melhookv12

Original Poster:

958 posts

174 months

Friday 20th May 2011
quotequote all
the lounge is partially full of t wats, who just post stupid replies to get a laugh and appear cool in front of their internet friends.
thanks for your reply, why wont you be going back ? which part were you from ?

Pints

18,444 posts

194 months

Friday 20th May 2011
quotequote all
melhookv12 said:
the lounge is partially full of t wats, who just post stupid replies to get a laugh and appear cool in front of their internet friends.
thanks for your reply, why wont you be going back ? which part were you from ?
You'll occasionally get the sensible or helpful reply, which may answer your question as to how easy it is to move over there.

I now have a family, with 2 little girls. There is just no way I'd take them back there, knowing that SA has one of the highest rape rates in the world. You are more likely to be raped in South Africa than you are to pass your driving test the first time.

I was born and bred in one of Cape Town's suburbs (Durbanville) and studied at Rhodes University in East London.

The sunny climate is wonderful, and the very relaxed way of life (regular barbeques, sport, social life, etc.) is fantastic. But I'm not prepared to sacrifice my family's safety just so that I can have a permanent sun-tan.

melhookv12

Original Poster:

958 posts

174 months

Saturday 21st May 2011
quotequote all
hahahha its a small world, I was seeing a girl from Durbanville ( kinda ) spent many an evening in the Oxford arms, and a few other places, I have another friend who lives up in Lagenbaan. Spent a few weeks up there to. Maybe I just see the place those rose tinted specs.

Pints

18,444 posts

194 months

Saturday 21st May 2011
quotequote all
How many times have you been over there?

melhookv12

Original Poster:

958 posts

174 months

Saturday 21st May 2011
quotequote all
twice in the last 2 years, and once about 6 years ago. why's that ?

Pints

18,444 posts

194 months

Saturday 21st May 2011
quotequote all
Well, my mate in London went over a couple of times, and it was only on his third (and longer visit) in 2/3 years that he was able to look at the place like a local.

He'd previously said he'd move over there in a heartbeat. He soon started to see past the tourist hype, and realised what it's actually like to live there. He now goes over with his South African wife for a holiday, but is always happier now to return to Ol' Blighty.

When you have to live and work with the corruption so inherrent in the South African system, the shine is lost very quickly.

Only this week, I found out that my uncle and aunt had their home broken into in the middle of the night by four armed robbers. Rather than just take what they wanted and leave, they tied-up my aunt and uncle up (blind-folded), and beat my uncle they beat my uncle (well into his 60s) to within an inch of his life with a crowbar. Before leaving with both their cars, they held a gun to his head and taunted him that they were going to pull the trigger. They were lucky and grateful to have been left with their lives.

Life is cheap in Africa. Very cheap.

melhookv12

Original Poster:

958 posts

174 months

Saturday 21st May 2011
quotequote all
I'm sorry to hear about your aunt and uncle, I hope they make a full recovery, which part are they from ?

Pints

18,444 posts

194 months

Saturday 21st May 2011
quotequote all
Thanks. They're in Bryanston (near Jo'burg).

That said, things are obviously much better in the Cape. My in-laws live there and are safer, but they still have to live behind walls, burglar bars, and with doors permanently locked (and this is in a pretty good area of Cape Town - much like Durbanville.)

It's obviously your decision to be made, but I couldn't bear knowing that something had happened to someone I had suggested move over there.

dubbs

1,588 posts

284 months

Tuesday 7th June 2011
quotequote all
I have been going out to SA (Joburg specifically) 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off since last June.

You soon realise the place is too outlawish compared to the developed world. They are making huge mistakes in the name of "Transformation" to assist previously disadvantaged individuals as a knee jerk vote winner instead of looking carefully how to make SA a leading nation.

The state is inherently corrupt and all the time ANC stays in power it will remain so in my opinion

Whilst all this goes on there is definitely good money to be made in SA but the have and have not gaps are so huge that crime is pretty rife - I don't mind being there in Sandton-based hotels or lodgings but to live out there on my own property I'd not be so keen after all the stories I've heard from those living there and working with me.

There are massive social, education and government corruption problems for them to overcome and if they don't do it in the next 5-10 years SA is going to be seen slipping backwards - I've yet to speak to a SA resident who thinks things are really getting much better.



Pints

18,444 posts

194 months

Wednesday 8th June 2011
quotequote all
Good post. Glad to hear it's not just the saffas who see things this way.

arguti

1,774 posts

186 months

Wednesday 6th July 2011
quotequote all
dubbs said:
They are making huge mistakes in the name of "Transformation" to assist previously disadvantaged individuals as a knee jerk vote winner instead of looking carefully how to make SA a leading nation.
"New" government ie ANC have been in power since 1994. question I always ask is how many generations will it take for us to still be subsidising the "previously disadvantaged" they had almost 20 years and to me there is deterioration is almost every aspect of daily life.

I certainly won't be going back, i work in healthcare and many of the SA hospitals have run out of all but the most basic medications, eeeeish

TomBo

10 posts

153 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
No! What you have to consider is whats your profession, which area would you live in, do you know atleast 2 of the languages (You can stumble your way around some)
Going to a foreign country for holiday is great, you are always having fun but living there can be different.

You know who should move to SA ?
Someone with a job, preferably in a growing industry, and a medium to senior level job: Marketing, IT, Finance; Someone who has a job prearranged.
Someone who can afford to get a car in SA as soon as you land, and can afford a place (house, flat, cottage) in the suburbs as soon as you land.
Someone who can speak and/or understand atleast 2 of the languages (english & afrikaans or zulu would be best)

If you meet those top three criteria, then come to SA!
If not, your first few months/years will not be very "fun" or comfortable.


Dino D

1,953 posts

221 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
Pints said:
I was born and bred in one of Cape Town's suburbs (Durbanville) and studied at Rhodes University in East London.
EL ...no wonder your view on SA is so kak - should have come to Grahamstown campus.

To the OP - You are young single and bored - SA would be a great adventure -when you settle down with kids you may change your views but right now I think you are perfectly placed to enjoy the lifestyle and live with the security issues. I was ok with as youngster but now with a family it is not so interesting even though everyone I know down there is making a fortune...

What sort of entry requirements would you have to meet though?

Pints

18,444 posts

194 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
TomBo said:
No! What you have to consider is whats your profession, which area would you live in, do you know atleast 2 of the languages (You can stumble your way around some)
Going to a foreign country for holiday is great, you are always having fun but living there can be different.

You know who should move to SA ?
Someone with a job, preferably in a growing industry, and a medium to senior level job: Marketing, IT, Finance; Someone who has a job prearranged.
Someone who can afford to get a car in SA as soon as you land, and can afford a place (house, flat, cottage) in the suburbs as soon as you land.
Someone who can speak and/or understand atleast 2 of the languages (english & afrikaans or zulu would be best)

If you meet those top three criteria, then come to SA!
If not, your first few months/years will not be very "fun" or comfortable.
Do NOT listen to this man. SA is a st hole, run by some of the most corrupt, unintelligent politicians known to man.

Your chances of being mugged, murdered, a victim of crime, etc. are far higher than living in almost any other country in the world.

Pints

18,444 posts

194 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
Dino D said:
Pints said:
I was born and bred in one of Cape Town's suburbs (Durbanville) and studied at Rhodes University in East London.
EL ...no wonder your view on SA is so kak - should have come to Grahamstown campus.

To the OP - You are young single and bored - SA would be a great adventure -when you settle down with kids you may change your views but right now I think you are perfectly placed to enjoy the lifestyle and live with the security issues. I was ok with as youngster but now with a family it is not so interesting even though everyone I know down there is making a fortune...

What sort of entry requirements would you have to meet though?
hehe

I only spent a few years in EL. As a working student, the Grahamstown campus wasn't an option.

As far as making a fortune goes, yes, it can be done. However, if safety and security is in any way important to you, SA is not an option. And I say this as someone who was born and bred in one of the safest areas of South Africa.

Would I go back? No.
Would I take my family back? Not for a million pounds.

Highrisedrifter

754 posts

154 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
One of my mates is a Boer and his family all live in and around Jo'burg. Last year, his uncle was shot point blank in the face whilst in his car waiting to pick up a colleague outside his place of work. The vehicle was found at a breakers yard. The murderers, who have not been found, got just over $50 for the car, which was a cheap runabout and definitely not a high status vehicle that might have indicated the driver had money.

Life is very cheap as has been stated above. My mate's parents moved over here when they had a daughter. They cited the unbelievably high and unsolved crime rate and they just did not want to bring two young children up in that place.

Really think long and hard about this before you do it. You may end up regretting it.

Dino D

1,953 posts

221 months

Friday 8th July 2011
quotequote all
Pints said:
Do NOT listen to this man. SA is a st hole, run by some of the most corrupt, unintelligent politicians known to man.
Sounds just like Greece except the muggers here work for the Government!

TomBo

10 posts

153 months

Thursday 14th July 2011
quotequote all
Come on guys you can mention a horrific news story from every country and make that country look bad.
For instance terrorists are constantly trying to bomb and kill innocent people in America and their allies (UK) just to get a message across; add to that there is also a bit of crime and murder going on not as much as SA but there is some. Thieves in third world countries such as SA and other African countries will kill just about anyone and steal just about anything to get their next meal, or to feel wealthy.
Other countries have natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and so on which claim hundreds of lives.

It actually does not matter much as to where you move in the world, cause chances are you might just die from terrorism, murder, natural disasters, diseases, viruses, drowning, fire etc. in any country these things happen. Sorry for the grim reminder that life is very vulnerable.

If you want to move somewhere, just decide where is it that you want to go? where can you have fun? where can you make a comfortable living, etc etc. If safety is your biggest concern then dig a bunker, get some canned food, some porn, and some medicine, and you'll be a little safer... just a little.