[bigjack]

Originally Posted by Sputnik

Apartheid days are long gone but the disparity is HUGE. The whites are still very rich and detain the majority of the nation's economy. Now the black people rely on public jobs which were impossible to get during the apartheid but still it's not enough for everyone.
The whites (many of them are nostalgic of the apartheid, while almost half of them emigrated when the system was lifted) usually live secluded in big villas with private security and electric fences because the criminality in the cities and in some parts of the nation is beyond awful: Jo'burg used to be the most dangerous city in the world during the 90s and still nowadays going in the city centre on Sunday is like asking to get robbed. Don't know if the situation has improved because of the world cup but back in 2006 walking in quarters like Berea, Hillbrow and Yeoville were simply impossible. The fact that they have experienced a wild immigration didn't help the situation either.
Car hijackin is still common even though I drove for a month without any problem, but if you go through a dangerous area you drive FAST and don't stop for whatever reason.
Mandela was a great president, but his successors were not as bright or capable: corruption is widespread.
South Africa is plagued with AIDS, more than 20% of the population has HIV which is one of the highest known rates in the world.
The country economy rely heavily on its incredible natural resources but the disparity in the wealth and the poverty in the townships are problems which will linger for a long time. I saw in Soweto that the governemnt was building better houses for the people but I fear it was a drop in the ocean.

Overall it's one of the most beautiful countries I have travelled but it's up to a nearly impossible task to improve the situation for millions of people who still live in crime-ridden townships.

Yes it's AIDS and TB that was what my niece saw the most in Durban! She said the health of the little black kids is tragic!