What do, or would, you miss most about SA?
Discussion
Alfanatic said:
JimBaboon said:
Anyone else considering the move back?
Not yet. We've had a few holidays there but there are still too many new stories every time I talk to anyone who has been there recently for me to consider it a secure environment to raise my daughter in compared to Nanny State Britain. Plus I'm not yet convinced that the country is safe from the classic African dictatorship future.But I do miss it. It's a beautiful country, with wonderful people having to live with a dark past.
I reckon if you're enterprising you can make yourself millions over there (just look at the chinese presence now) and just keep to the good areas and you should be ok! I went 18 years living in SA without anything bad happening and then came over here and got mugged and beaten up walking home.....ironic!
Alfanatic said:
Biltong (we've got a biltong maker now).
Simba Smoked Beef crisps (sorry, I mean chips). Also O'Gradys and big korn bites.
Alfa Giuliettas - the '80s ones - and rust free, at least they were where I was based, which was behind the Boerewors Curtain
GTVs too.
Proper Fanta too.
Creme Soda
Wimpy (they're different to UK Wimpy)
Wide roads that don't have hedges and walls crammed right up to the shoulder. I miss the road holiday road trips from Boksburg (oops I said it) to the coast.
The Garden Route
Tsitsikamma and Storms River mouth
The weather. Perfectly mild. Lovely.
The wide open spaces
Well behaved children
Thunderstorms
Crickets
Friendly locals, at least the ones that aren't trying to take your stuff.
SA Car magazine. It's just... quaint. And it's still got Garageman's Casebook!
Oppikoppi. Actually, no, I don't miss that.
Christmas and new year being highlights in the long summer holidays.
No snow.
Clear night skies with lots of stars
Cheap meat, and braais
Warm oceans (not applicable in CT)
Bobotie
A slight thread ressurection.Simba Smoked Beef crisps (sorry, I mean chips). Also O'Gradys and big korn bites.
Alfa Giuliettas - the '80s ones - and rust free, at least they were where I was based, which was behind the Boerewors Curtain
GTVs too.
Proper Fanta too.
Creme Soda
Wimpy (they're different to UK Wimpy)
Wide roads that don't have hedges and walls crammed right up to the shoulder. I miss the road holiday road trips from Boksburg (oops I said it) to the coast.
The Garden Route
Tsitsikamma and Storms River mouth
The weather. Perfectly mild. Lovely.
The wide open spaces
Well behaved children
Thunderstorms
Crickets
Friendly locals, at least the ones that aren't trying to take your stuff.
SA Car magazine. It's just... quaint. And it's still got Garageman's Casebook!
Oppikoppi. Actually, no, I don't miss that.
Christmas and new year being highlights in the long summer holidays.
No snow.
Clear night skies with lots of stars
Cheap meat, and braais
Warm oceans (not applicable in CT)
Bobotie
You go that list exactly right, especially regarding the hedges, wide open spaces, Alfa Guilettas (have a thing for them), summer Christmas holidays, proper thunderstorms and Garageman's casebook, SA Car magazine is still a really good magazine.
I also miss the Karoo and the Richtersveld, wide open deserts without a soul to be seen for miles around, similarly the Drakensberg.
Edited by Traveller on Wednesday 28th November 06:42
Alfanatic mentioned it above but I've really been thinking about it of late; I used to love lying out in the garden (or pretty much any open spaces) at night and seeing the stars.
A clear night sky which isn't sullied by light pollution is a beautiful thing.
And I could kill for a Spur burger.
A clear night sky which isn't sullied by light pollution is a beautiful thing.
And I could kill for a Spur burger.
Alfanatic said:
Yea, with the sound of crickets in the background. Night just seems wrong without the sound of crickets.
My daughter has lizards, so we have boxes of crickets in the kitchen. Loads escape and you can hear them in random areas of the house. Outside in summer it is great to hear them in the garden. So if you miss the crickets go and buy a few 
they are really cheap.I am planning to visit my parents next year, the highlight being lots (I hope) of visits to Spur and eating steak every night.
I miss:
Yogi Sips
Nik Naks
Pronutro
Proper Biltong
Ghostbusters
Flings
Being able to go to the coast for the weekend, get pissed, built a fire and doss on the sand (Eastern Cape).
The feeling of space and peace and quiet.
Black Label beer
Amarula
The weather.
Beaches
And the list goes on ….
What I don’t miss:
Having to carry a gun and look over my shoulder to make sure I don’t get murdered (since its happened a lot to people I know in the Eastern Cape) and wondering that if I have to drive a long distance somewhere, praying my car wouldn’t break down so I wouldn’t be at risk or being attacked/killed.
The politics, ie those who think the world owes them a hand-out for the rest of their lives and conversely those narrow-minded bigots who dont realise we live in a modern world now and give the rest of us who have moved on a bad name with their racist ways.
Having to read the same negative news in the papers daily about how some money has been embezzled by some crony or family member of someone in government or about some demonstration or someone getting raped or killed by some disaffected numpty (usually a common criminal by another name).
Yogi Sips
Nik Naks
Pronutro
Proper Biltong
Ghostbusters
Flings
Being able to go to the coast for the weekend, get pissed, built a fire and doss on the sand (Eastern Cape).
The feeling of space and peace and quiet.
Black Label beer
Amarula
The weather.
Beaches
And the list goes on ….
What I don’t miss:
Having to carry a gun and look over my shoulder to make sure I don’t get murdered (since its happened a lot to people I know in the Eastern Cape) and wondering that if I have to drive a long distance somewhere, praying my car wouldn’t break down so I wouldn’t be at risk or being attacked/killed.
The politics, ie those who think the world owes them a hand-out for the rest of their lives and conversely those narrow-minded bigots who dont realise we live in a modern world now and give the rest of us who have moved on a bad name with their racist ways.
Having to read the same negative news in the papers daily about how some money has been embezzled by some crony or family member of someone in government or about some demonstration or someone getting raped or killed by some disaffected numpty (usually a common criminal by another name).
Hi
I am not South African but married to one, and have been out there enough times.
Things I miss are:-
Simba Crisps (Mexican Chilli) with a Castle or Windhoek
Top Deck
The Stars
Scenary (Mountains, Beach, Sea)
Not being ruled by a nanny state and letting your children go in the back of pick up trucks (on private land) without the social services taking them away from you. Its not dangerous it is called fun.
Garlic Braai Salt on all red meat
Driving everyday and seeing something that makes me smile or something different. This could even be the unusual/bizarre items sold at the traffic lights. (Im easily entertained)
I have family in bethlehem and it is amazing the number of people who are now going out there to live. Not just ex-south africans but Germans, austrialians, etc.. A lot of the people have young children and feel they can give their children a better lifestyle and that is just Bethlehem Im commenting on which isn`t near any international airports!
I am not South African but married to one, and have been out there enough times.
Things I miss are:-
Simba Crisps (Mexican Chilli) with a Castle or Windhoek
Top Deck
The Stars
Scenary (Mountains, Beach, Sea)
Not being ruled by a nanny state and letting your children go in the back of pick up trucks (on private land) without the social services taking them away from you. Its not dangerous it is called fun.
Garlic Braai Salt on all red meat
Driving everyday and seeing something that makes me smile or something different. This could even be the unusual/bizarre items sold at the traffic lights. (Im easily entertained)
I have family in bethlehem and it is amazing the number of people who are now going out there to live. Not just ex-south africans but Germans, austrialians, etc.. A lot of the people have young children and feel they can give their children a better lifestyle and that is just Bethlehem Im commenting on which isn`t near any international airports!
robsartain said:
Hi
I am not South African but married to one, and have been out there enough times.
Things I miss are:-
Simba Crisps (Mexican Chilli) with a Castle or Windhoek
Top Deck
The Stars
Scenary (Mountains, Beach, Sea)
Not being ruled by a nanny state and letting your children go in the back of pick up trucks (on private land) without the social services taking them away from you. Its not dangerous it is called fun.
Garlic Braai Salt on all red meat
Driving everyday and seeing something that makes me smile or something different. This could even be the unusual/bizarre items sold at the traffic lights. (Im easily entertained)
I have family in bethlehem and it is amazing the number of people who are now going out there to live. Not just ex-south africans but Germans, Australians, etc.. A lot of the people have young children and feel they can give their children a better lifestyle and that is just Bethlehem Im commenting on which isn`t near any international airports!
Bethlehem in the Free state ? I am not South African but married to one, and have been out there enough times.
Things I miss are:-
Simba Crisps (Mexican Chilli) with a Castle or Windhoek
Top Deck
The Stars
Scenary (Mountains, Beach, Sea)
Not being ruled by a nanny state and letting your children go in the back of pick up trucks (on private land) without the social services taking them away from you. Its not dangerous it is called fun.
Garlic Braai Salt on all red meat
Driving everyday and seeing something that makes me smile or something different. This could even be the unusual/bizarre items sold at the traffic lights. (Im easily entertained)
I have family in bethlehem and it is amazing the number of people who are now going out there to live. Not just ex-south africans but Germans, Australians, etc.. A lot of the people have young children and feel they can give their children a better lifestyle and that is just Bethlehem Im commenting on which isn`t near any international airports!
seadragon said:
I miss:
Yogi Sips Yes
Nik Naks Yes
Pronutro Yes
Proper Biltong Yes
Ghostbusters
Flings
Being able to go to the coast for the weekend, get pissed, built a fire and doss on the sand (Eastern Cape). Yes
The feeling of space and peace and quiet. Yes
Black Label beer
Amarula Yes
The weather.
Beaches
And the list goes on ….
What I don’t miss:
Having to carry a gun and look over my shoulder to make sure I don’t get murdered (since its happened a lot to people I know in the Eastern Cape) and wondering that if I have to drive a long distance somewhere, praying my car wouldn’t break down so I wouldn’t be at risk or being attacked/killed.
The politics, ie those who think the world owes them a hand-out for the rest of their lives and conversely those narrow-minded bigots who dont realise we live in a modern world now and give the rest of us who have moved on a bad name with their racist ways.
Having to read the same negative news in the papers daily about how some money has been embezzled by some crony or family member of someone in government or about some demonstration or someone getting raped or killed by some disaffected numpty (usually a common criminal by another name).
Completely agree with your list of Things I Don't Miss.Yogi Sips Yes
Nik Naks Yes
Pronutro Yes
Proper Biltong Yes
Ghostbusters
Flings
Being able to go to the coast for the weekend, get pissed, built a fire and doss on the sand (Eastern Cape). Yes
The feeling of space and peace and quiet. Yes
Black Label beer
Amarula Yes
The weather.
Beaches
And the list goes on ….
What I don’t miss:
Having to carry a gun and look over my shoulder to make sure I don’t get murdered (since its happened a lot to people I know in the Eastern Cape) and wondering that if I have to drive a long distance somewhere, praying my car wouldn’t break down so I wouldn’t be at risk or being attacked/killed.
The politics, ie those who think the world owes them a hand-out for the rest of their lives and conversely those narrow-minded bigots who dont realise we live in a modern world now and give the rest of us who have moved on a bad name with their racist ways.
Having to read the same negative news in the papers daily about how some money has been embezzled by some crony or family member of someone in government or about some demonstration or someone getting raped or killed by some disaffected numpty (usually a common criminal by another name).
robsartain said:
Hi
I am not South African but married to one, and have been out there enough times.
Things I miss are:-
Simba Crisps (Mexican Chilli) with a Castle or Windhoek Yes. Oh, and they're Simba chips, not crisps.
Top Deck Yes
The Stars Yes
Scenary (Mountains, Beach, Sea) Yes
Not being ruled by a nanny state and letting your children go in the back of pick up trucks (on private land) without the social services taking them away from you. Its not dangerous it is called fun. Yes
Garlic Braai Salt on all red meat Yes. I have a bottle or two in my cupboard but it's now for special occasions only.
Driving everyday and seeing something that makes me smile or something different. This could even be the unusual/bizarre items sold at the traffic lights. (Im easily entertained) No
I am not South African but married to one, and have been out there enough times.
Things I miss are:-
Simba Crisps (Mexican Chilli) with a Castle or Windhoek Yes. Oh, and they're Simba chips, not crisps.
Top Deck Yes
The Stars Yes
Scenary (Mountains, Beach, Sea) Yes
Not being ruled by a nanny state and letting your children go in the back of pick up trucks (on private land) without the social services taking them away from you. Its not dangerous it is called fun. Yes
Garlic Braai Salt on all red meat Yes. I have a bottle or two in my cupboard but it's now for special occasions only.
Driving everyday and seeing something that makes me smile or something different. This could even be the unusual/bizarre items sold at the traffic lights. (Im easily entertained) No
robsartain said:
Yep Bethlehem in the free state.
There isn`t a huge amount there except maybe a day trip to Clarens/golden gate park and the winters there are bitterly cold I hear.
They are building a mall but I wouldn`t expect that to attract international residents.
I have lots of family that side of the beorewors curtain, I cannot imagine what would be attracting people to the "Bermuda triangle" of the Vrystaat namely Fickburg, Welkom and Bethlehem. These are places that make Bloemies look inviting There isn`t a huge amount there except maybe a day trip to Clarens/golden gate park and the winters there are bitterly cold I hear.
They are building a mall but I wouldn`t expect that to attract international residents.
I miss:
My family that still lives there (brother and sister and their families).
Melk Tert!
Biltong.
Rust free cars from J'oburg (and other inland areas)
The smell of Sasol fuel (the fuel from coal stuff)
Proper Fanta.
Creme Soda
Wide roads.
The weather.
The wide open spaces.
The friendliness of the people.
The 5pm thunderstorms and downpours in J'oburg - epic!
Crickets / Christmas Beatles
The beach (when I lived in East London, where I grew up).
SA Car magazine and Garageman's Casebook (I bought one the last time I went over on holiday in 2003 - I still have it!)
Boerewors (sp?) and steak on the braai.
Clear night skies with lots of stars.
The (old) way of life (before all the bad crime)
The "proper' long days - e.g. sunrise roughly 5:30 a.m. sunset 6:00 p.m. nearly all year round.
You could always tell the time by the sun - if it was 12 p.m. the sun was almost always directly overhead.
My family that still lives there (brother and sister and their families).
Melk Tert!
Biltong.
Rust free cars from J'oburg (and other inland areas)
The smell of Sasol fuel (the fuel from coal stuff)
Proper Fanta.
Creme Soda
Wide roads.
The weather.
The wide open spaces.
The friendliness of the people.
The 5pm thunderstorms and downpours in J'oburg - epic!
Crickets / Christmas Beatles
The beach (when I lived in East London, where I grew up).
SA Car magazine and Garageman's Casebook (I bought one the last time I went over on holiday in 2003 - I still have it!)
Boerewors (sp?) and steak on the braai.
Clear night skies with lots of stars.
The (old) way of life (before all the bad crime)
The "proper' long days - e.g. sunrise roughly 5:30 a.m. sunset 6:00 p.m. nearly all year round.
You could always tell the time by the sun - if it was 12 p.m. the sun was almost always directly overhead.
Edited by TonyRPH on Thursday 10th January 12:11
Yup, agree with most of the stuff listed, in addition :
Being 17 and the Klerksdorp Pubic Safety moegoes trying to chase me on my RGV250....good times, and being able to jump on a dirt bike and be 2 minutes away from the bush, and then having hundreds of k's worth of off road riding.
My girlfriend is English, and to be honest, we have a pretty good life here, she's learnt to make koeksisters, milk-tart, peppermint crisp tart, proper sosaties and babotie...
f
k it, Im picking up a pack of boerie tomorrow for supper !
Being 17 and the Klerksdorp Pubic Safety moegoes trying to chase me on my RGV250....good times, and being able to jump on a dirt bike and be 2 minutes away from the bush, and then having hundreds of k's worth of off road riding.
My girlfriend is English, and to be honest, we have a pretty good life here, she's learnt to make koeksisters, milk-tart, peppermint crisp tart, proper sosaties and babotie...
f
k it, Im picking up a pack of boerie tomorrow for supper !
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