Marc Lurie wrote:
> http://www.sagoodnews.co.za
> I see your negative, racist, and hysterical website, and raise you one
> positive, sensible website. Your move...
Marc, I can understand your reaction and indeed the website was
dominated by one view. But so is the website you mention. It too shows
only one side of life in South Africa. I do understand SA businesses
(and certainly those involved in tourism!!!) want to portray SA as one
great and happy country.
I honestly wish it were completely true. In contrast to so many South
Africans leaving their home country (we do have quite a few living over
here in Holland these days!) my wife and I would love to leave Holland
and settle in South Africa. We deeply love the country.
But we feel SA is slowly moving more and more into the direction of
Zimbabwe. Something which he had certainly not expected a few years ago.
Just follow the news of more independant sources like SABC and you'll
see that the majority of news items are either about crime or
corruption. Specially corruption and the governments negligence to truly
act upon that, does worry me a lot. It almost seems normal these days
that government officials either use money for their own or give
lucrative contracts to their friends, disrespecting official tender
legislation and procedures. It is "not done" to criticize these things.
Just take a look at the present situation with SABC´s blacklist of
critical journalists.
Such things should not happen in a truly free and democratic country.
And would about the democratic level of the ANC's attempts to change the
governing structure of the only big city which they do not control? "If
we can't get a democratic majority we will just change the laws".
Doesn't that sound a lot like Zimbabwe?
These things do hurt the country deeply. Southern Africa has a special
place in my heart and I would love to see a true free and democratic
rainbow nation. That would convince me to move over there.
Should tourists avoid South Africa? No! It is too beautiful a country to
avoid. And South Africa bitterly needs these tourists. But we should not
paint a more beautiful picture that it is in reality. South Africa
unfortunately does have some serious worries for the future.
Regards,
Hans
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Hans Martens
Wildlife & Nature Photography
http://www.wildpicture.com
http://www.wildpicture.nl
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