Since this country has been administrated by a government of national unity, my township in Northern KwaZulu Natal has had all its gravel roads tarred, we now have a park for children that is maintained regularly, we have less electricity and water interruptions than in the past (I am sure you are going to dig in to me with this comment with reference to load shedding. LOL); we now have street lights; we have a police station instead of Army trucks patrolling our streets and young men don’t disappear like they did in the past where they would be held for questioning.

On my regular visits to Soweto, I have noted the same level of service delivery to the masses and I get the feeling that the government is not yet ready to pat itself on the back but rather trying to accelerate the delivery.

For some people, this country has gone backwards but for a large number, they prefer this regime to the “good old days”. People can wonder freely to any public space.

Crime is a big problem, as South Africans we endure violent personal crime like rape, mugging and hijacking. I am glad to hear that both the ANC President and the State President have focused on this concern over the last few months. Our metropolitans are joining forces with business to curb urban decay are installing CCTV facilities that have already been praised for recent drops in inner-city crime. We are not alone; this is a challenge world wide. New York was a dangerous city to live in until then mayor Rudi Giuliani embarked on similar campaigns of tackling petty misdemeanors before escalating. I stayed in London for 5 months in 2006 and was amazed at the number of stabbings around the UK by “Hoodies”. In continental Europe, citizens are on high alert due to the risk of terrorism; visitors to South American states fear for the lives in light of the threat of muggings and kidnapping. Ethnic groups in Australia and New Zealand are still victimized and discriminated against even though the countries have long adopted democracy.

In this country we also don’t celebrate success; you have to delve deep in to the daily press to find positive stories. Believe me there is a huge pool of successful black entrepreneurs in this country that have not receive any patronage from the ruling party. Richard Maponya has opened an impressive shopping complex in Soweto, the story of the Kunene Brothers inspires so many people in this country, we have regional brands like Black Like Me; one of the largest Private Equity funds in country, Pamodzi Resources is the brainchild of a black man, the 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year holder. I look at guys like Phuthuma Nhleko (MTN) who within 12 years have taken a company from scratch to a top 5 company on the JSE. You won’t see him on the coat tails of politicians or lobbying for a BEE deal.

I too cringe when I hear stories of a possible future leader of this country taking handouts from dubious financial advisers or finding him in a compromising position with a young lady. However, I recognize the good leadership qualities of this man. Before he joined the national government, JZ was instrumental in diffusing political and cultural tension which may easily started a civil war in KZN. When you sit down and block out the noise from the media and listen to this man speak, you realize that he has a lot to offer in terms of reconciling factions in the ruling party and making sure that government institutions are not used for advancing individuals as we have noted in certain cases. Let’s support democracy, always not only when it suits us. There are a number of countries in this day and age where men and women secure / retain political power by use force or by taking their countries into battle so that they can serve a purpose.

I think we should also not jump the gun on policy matters of this country. The current ANC president has clearly stated over the last three weeks that there are no planned policy changes. All he and the NEC want to do is to bring the alliance partners closer. I think this is a positive, if government, the unions and business are singing off the same hymn sheet; it will bode well for the country. Casting unions aside will have disastrous implications

So my taxes, contribution to the economy and volunteer work are not needed because I dont like to take it up the arse with a smile on my face?

If the only way to be a positive contributing member in South African society is to take everything on the chin while living in state of perpetual danger and discrimination with a smile on your face, then this country is doomed.

Please dont assume someone who is negative is ignorant. There is a fine line between a positive attitude and denial/delusion. Time will tell. I wonder though, if (when) South Africa goes the same way as Zimbabwe, are you guys STILL going to blame the contributing members of society for their approach, or will you finally point some fingers at the people robbing their people blind?

Wingnut – I think that I came across somewhat harshley, bad day and all. But I still stand but most of what I have said. I think that if you have nothing better to do than badmouth SA you should leave. Simple. Darren is right, it’s sad but very pervasive that you and many South Africans believe that the situation is futile. You can and should be making a difference in any way possible to better the country.

Yes we have problems and I am not ignorant about them, nor am I calling you ignorant. The statement I made about your knowledge of politics was based on your rant that included no knowledge of the political state of the nation. That’s all.

I also firmly believe that you and I merely face a difference of opinion. I believe it is our duty to stay, build, help and change. You believe you need to rant and bad mouth and focus on the negative. This is how we see things and this is all. So choose to live however you want but know that your ranting only really tarnishes your life and no one else’s. I choose to be positive and that helps my state of living.

We all make an impact on someone’s life, positive or negative, whether we want to or not. You affect your wife, your kids, your friends, your colleagues and probably countless other people you don’t even know. Despite your comments about SA, to me the saddest thing about what you have written above is that you don’t believe you can make a difference. So all I can say is all the best for your move, hopefully you’ll find somewhere that you can be a positive influence.

Its not like I can invent a contraption that is going to end corruption. I cannot push for the abolishment of BEE and AA which are killing business, can I? I cannot push for tighter control on unions, can I? There is no solution, and its about time the “positive” South Africans realise that. Sticking around will at most delay the collapse, but it cannot prevent it.

I can have no impact on the way the country runs. I am a minority which is nothing more then cashflow for the government. Its ridiculous to think that one man can make a difference. One man with a following can make a difference, but on his own he can do nothing in ANY country. Ghandi, Mandela. They are one man with an entire nation behind them. More then half the country openly supports Jacob Zuma as a man for the people. WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU. JZ is Ghandi to our people. They want JZ. They want his policies. They want a machine gun toting criminal to lead them. To represent them. (He is the perfect representative for SA. Rape, HIV is of no concern, loves guns, covets power and likes to steal)

There is nothing I can do that will affect change at national level. We are a democracy (a one party state democracy I might add) not a dictatorship. So your suggestion that I come up with a solution mean nothing. I will never be in the position to implement it!

The people who actually CAN run the country are not in a position to do so. They are the wrong colour skin. You have unskilled barbarians running municipalities and Government. Nepotism has all but destroyed administrative structures, along with rampant AA. Now government is trying to oust those people from business using BEE?

Me managing to open up a business wil not solve the countries problems. Me volunteering will not make a difference. Joining a political party will not make a difference. Voting will nto make a difference. All of it is a moot point because as a minority, I AM OVERWHELMED completley. It might make a small contribution that will help, Ill agree. The problem is that 90% of the population runs the show, would need to be doing the same thing. That is not happening, and will never happen. Its the mentality of the uneducated masses thats the problem, not the educated whiners.

I find it almost ridiculous that people suggest a positive outlook is better then a negative one. How does it help to ignore the problem? How does it help to berate those who complain instead of those that run the country into the ground? How does it help to tell them to leave if they have nothing good to say or contribute? How does it help to pat the idiots in power on the back for every little good thing they do and ignore the majority of the bad things they do because negativity is hardly a desirable attitude? EXPLAIN IT TO ME. You do even more damage then the people who complain or vote with their feet because you accept this bullshit behaviour and bad results!!!!

It does more damage then you can imagine. Websites like this and Homecomming Revolution may want to try and look at the bright side, sure. You guys are playing with peoples lives though. By trying to create a false impression of the reality in SA, lives are at stake.

How? Well imagine if the people in the know told tourists that there were no dangers in coming to SA? (They cant even convince diplomats of that anymore, can they?) Imagine if you told family overseas its safe to buy property here or invest in a local bed and breakfast? That kind of positivity can get people killed. Its irresponsible. Its selfish. Its delusional. Who are you kidding here?

The shoe is on the other foot here, and its high time people start to realise it. Those that stay are staying not because they believe South Africa actually offers a brighter future. They are staying because they FEAR leaving. They are not brave enough to leave. They justify their decsions to stay by pointing at ridiculous things like our weather and biltong as reasons to put their lives at risk while being treated like lepers in country their fathers built.. They try and convince themselves that crime happens everywhere. They try and convince themselves that we are improving as a nation. They try and convince themselves that we wont go the way of every other African country, ignoring the warning signs all around them

Those that cant leave I sympathise with. I really do. Those that can, who constantly berate those who leave, I have no sympathy for. I hope you dont wake up when its too late.

Remember something. You are ruled by the majority. The majority controls your destiny int his country. The majority has voted in socialst left wing criminals to administrate and govern this country. All the positive thinking in the world cannot overcome the majorities incompetence. Its like believeing in the tooth fairy

You use a company as an example of how negative thinking can destroy it? How many African businesses have gone from small start up to companies listed on the stock exchange in the last 10 years? No BEE buyouts at rock bottom prices. No management buyouts of established companies before landing government contracts. HOW MANY BLACK COMPANIES HAVE GONE FROM A SMALL BUSINESS TO A NATIONAL COMPANY?

Not one. Every single weathly black businessman was an ANC member. Or educated professional that bought a company out using easier access to finance that BEE offers.

This country is being run by a culture of people who take, not a culture of people who build. All the positive thinking in the world is not going tochange that. Me staying to help is going to delay the problem, but not solve it either. 90% of the population does not build, IT DEMANDS AND IT TAKES.

How much more can be taken before it collapses completely?

So Ill be the smart one and leave before I get retrenched thank you very much. Or killed operating the shoddy machinery the company cant afford to maintain anymore.

But what are you actually trying to achieve? Let’s paint a quick sketch to keep it simple – say you run a company which has a long difficult history and is trying to pull itself out of a difficult situation. Everyday you get up and try to motivate those around you while making tough decisions that you believe are in the company’s best interests. There are some employees there who show up, do what they have to do, and spend most of their time poisoning those around them with talk of how pathetic the organisation is and predicting its demise. And this continues no matter what you do. Its one thing when the work they’re doing helps move your company forward, but when the negative comments start having a detrimental effect? So how would you deal with those employees in that situation?

Fact is, you and I are in very similar situations. Same country. Same gender and colour. Similar industry. Probably similar education and work situation. Same government services, medical, police and otherwise. My tax rate is equally high. My immediate family left the country for exactly these reasons that you drone on and on about, and I miss them terribly. I also have a family here to care for, provide for and protect as best I possibly can. We would also both probably have very similar opportunities in the eyes of an independent observer. Fact is, I choose to look at it differently, and if you think that makes my views ridiculous, thats your opinion and you’re entitled to it.

You obviously have lots of skill and energy – why can’t you use it positively, for crying out loud? Why expect everyone else to have the solutions? Why not bring a solution yourself that is realistic and can be implemented to make SA the country that you [and I] dream it can be? You can choose not to, and that’s fine – no-one expects anything different from you. So why not do things a little differently? And if you really don’t want to, what right do you have to judge those who do?

PS Have you heard the saying “If you ever find the perfect organisation to work for, leave before you ruin it”?

The notion that we should rid ourselves of whingers is ludicrous. I have every right to complain. I pay taxes for no service delivery only to be treated like a second rate citizen because I am white.

You assumption that I have no understanding of the political situation is also incorrect. What makes you suggest that? Is it because I question that ridiculous post of Darrens? You automatically assume Im an idiot? Disgruntled, yes. An idiot?

The fact that you would call people who emmigrate a part of the problem DISGUSTS me. Why should I put my families safety at risk, while I pay 40% of my salary in taxes for no protection? Schooling costs me a fortune, and my medical aid costs an arm and a leg. I have daughters. Should I raise them in a country where 50 000 women report rape every year? Where they stand a chance of being the one in 3 women who will be raped? Would that make me a good South African and a patriot in your eyes? Does that make me a good South African father? A responsible contributing member of South African society?

No one expected this to become a first world country overnight. What we did not expect was for:

1) The country with the second highest rate of murder
2) The country where more women are raped then anywhere else
3) The healthcare system has almost collapsed
4) Universities discriminating based on ethnicity
5) AA discriminating against minorities
6) A massive outflux of skilled people
7) A massive influx of illegal immigrants
Souring living costs
9) BEE making business difficult
10) A losing battle with HIV
11) A massive shift in the ANC towards socialist left leaders
12) Collapsing infrastructure
13) Corruption right through government and municipalities

In fact, we are on of the few countries in the world to have regressed accoring to the united nations. GOOGLE IT. (yes sir, that was sarcasm) We are ranked behind Palestine when it comes to quality of life and standard of living for the average South African. We have gone BACKWARDS since 1994. There has not been an improvement for the poor. The middle class and wealthy are not the real South Africa son.

You insult people who leave this country not because they want to, but because they have to. You think its easy to leave behind friends and family? A country you love dearly? You are no more patriotic then I am because I intend to leave (thats right, im still here, but not for much longer)

1) My families saftey is at risk
2) I get taxed to hell and back
3) Living costs are through the roof (average middle class family needs over R36 000 a month now CLEAR if they have a bond. I would know, I was invloved in the compilation of the economic report issued to Moneyweb from ABSA. Ill provide full breakdowns for your website if you like. Might help you paint a more accurate picture for your delusional fans)
4) Insurance, medical aids and assurance are sky high with our crime rates and rising labour costs
5) Schooling is expensive. State schools are dangerous and struggling
6) Being in the financial services sector, as a white male, Its virtually impossible for me to raise capital should I wish to start my own firm. I would need to go offshore
7) I cannot be promoted easily, because of the colour of my skin

So do me favour. Do yourself a favour. In fact, do everyone a favour. Stop trying to paint a picture of prosperity where there is none. Stop trying to suggest that negative South Africans are as problematic as the reasons 1-13 that I stated earlier. Please dont insult those that are being forced to leave their homes by ridiculous government policies that discrimate against them or government ineptitude at running the country effectivly.

But most of all, do us all the favour of trying to convince us that the grass is not greener on the other side. Anyone who has travelled knows that we may lose in some ways when we leave SA, but we also gain in so many others.

Lastly, stop assuming that people who are leaving and complain about the situation do so in an attempt to justify their actions. The governments poor track record, future prospects and the history of Africa suggest you need to be listening instead of condemning expats.

Now lets see if:

a) you leave this up
b) you are willing to take me on the points I have raised.

Rock it hard!

I am guessing that you live in, um, London or New Zealand, am I right? If you do live here do us all a favour and leave. Simple. You clearly have no interest in helping and I’d rather see you leave than become more of a hindrance.

Zuma might be all of those things but your views are tainted and bias at best, very best. If you know anything about what you were trying to talk about you would be discussing the state of democracy in SA if Mbeki won, you would be discussing economic policy moving forward, you would be looking at the crime rates (declining in most areas – granted, not all) GOOGLE IT!!

I can see your pissed off, not sure about what, but hey, life happens. Get over it, move on, move out, move up just move off your negative approach because all it’s doing is harming your life and lifestyle, not anyone else’s.

Oh, I have one more question for you – Do people like you expect SA to be some sort of idealistic utopia without crime, rape, murder or anything else? If so, you were fooled by someone in 1994. It ain’t gonna happen, not here, not anywhere.

You guys are looking for a positive in Zuma now? Are you that desperate for motivation that you drum up this nonsense? The guy is a disaster. This IS a disaster!

He is a corrupt thieving swine. He is not the problem though. The people is who he brought along for the ride. People like Tony Yengeni. Winnie Mandela. Blade Nzimande. Fikile Maluba. Thieves, communists and hate mongers are going to be your next ministers!!! They are the problem, not JZ you short sighted fools.

I love that typically postive South Africans line of thought “Its no better anywhere else”. Who are you trying to convince? We are taxed to hell and back. The cost of living is high. Crime is out of control. Basic services are crumbling. Education is on the verge of collapse. AA and BEE discriminate against the minority groups. Healthcare HAS collapsed. Municiple services no longer exist. Illegal immigrants are pouring into South Africa.

Not only that, but the notion that South Africa has progressed in the last 14 years is absurd. We are one of only 7 countries to have regressed in the last 10 years according to the United Nationas human development index. GOOGLE IT!!!! The miracle in 1994? What miracle? Over 250 000 people have been murdered since 1994, and over 1.7 million raped!!! You idiots call that a peaceful transistion?

Do yourself all a favour. RESEARCH. Go read independent studies on the various sectors in the country. Read international reports on South Africa. You might just wake up in time to have a plan to save you and your family.