South Africa problems

[acolobowhunter]

I just heard some disturbing information about South Africa.  Looks like the government is in the process of possibily taking over the land possession of the "whites".  Nothing is final yet, but could happen by August.  This might really create some problems in that country.  I really don't know much about it yet, but something to watch.  I can see where this might cause a lot of unrest in their countries.

[acolobowhunter]

Does anyone have any further information about this take over?

[Mike Yancey]

No problem, same stuff that has been around since 94. The one that put out that report has since released an up date saying that it was just media bull. They have a new president coming into power and he is a business man as well as a game rancher and outfitter. South Africa knows that they must have the tourism business.
I spoke with my outfitter last week and he sent me a ton of info on the deal. Nothing to worry about!

[snowbeast]

We pretty ok here. Just radical bull dust.
Our new president is walking a tight rope. He has to keep foreign investors happy so he has shuffled the cabinet again. Our new finance minister and minister of public enterprise are two of the best ministers we have. They will weed out corruption and make sure state owned enterprises run properly without bail outs. Some crooks are still in parliament, but thats so he doesnt create a divide in the ruling party. He needs to keep it together till 2019 so he can have a full term as president.

As for land grabs. It is worrying, but he is a businessman and knows if he takes productive land away it will hammer our economy. He might redistribute land not being used or Grant title deeds to those living on tribal land.

I'm positive living in South Africa, we do however have a big problem in race based farm attacks.

Tourists are safe from major crime imho. People realise they create jobs and we need jobs here.

We live in a stunning country and I hope you guys get to come share it with us.

[acolobowhunter]

Good to get this information.  This has been a dream hunting trip and sure don't want to get into a difficult situation.  I am getting to old to wait several years for things to get straightened out. ha
I will keep checking this site and others for any upcoming problems.  Makes me glad that I bought insurance for the flight and hunt though. ha

[Bow man]

Thanks for weighing in Bruce. We are heading there next year.   Remember we only here the news that the media wants us to hear and the way they want it to be represented. The media has agenda and what ever gets peoples attention that is what they put out there

[fujimo]

i see this is an old topic,
 and i hope you intrepid travellers had an awesome time, and returned safely.

i am originally from south africa, and currently live in Canada.
 i really dont want to stop people going to an awesome continent and having a great time,  and i honestly dont start threads warning folk about south africa, but if a person asks, i will furnish a candid answer.

having family still over there, we very often hear the news first, before they do. upon my inquiry and their investigation, they will confirm the reports.
the south african media IS being stifled. and many residents of south africa are often not exposed to the whole picture.
the flip side is, asking an outfitter, may or may not elicit a complete answer, after all their answers will directly affect their business, one way or another.

My wife was just back home about a month ago- on family business, her feed back was most discouraging.
having been born and raised there, and lived there for the first 40 years of my life- (we have been here 10 years now), i can absolutely tell you, that no bandido is checking your passport before mugging/killing you to ascertain whether you are a local or a "tourist".
and quite frankly at ground level, they are not concerned about the coutries well being, they are simply involved in some criminal activity!!
 In fact, very often "Tourists" are the chosen targets, with money belts, travellers checks, cameras around their necks, and walking vaguely around in areas that they should not be, and most often not being au fait of the situation.
their language and accents give them away, and the likelihood of them hanging around in a foreign country to pursue some court case is highly unlikely, so even if the criminals  are arrested, ultimately the charges will be dropped.

i have borne witness to numerous tourists being robbed/mugged.

I am truly not wanting to be a pessimist, but consider myself to rather be a realist.
and would rather give folk a heads up, than not.
SA is considered to be the rape capital of the world. 1 in 3 woman WILL be raped.
crime is rampant but in all fairness more prevalent in some areas than others.
marches and protests and can and do occur spontaneously, and they often turn violent.

be vigilant, be aware of your surroundings, dont trust street vendors, or ad hoc sales people, and you should be fine.
try NOT to look like a tourist.

and most of all have fun!!