FAO those of you coming to the World Cup

[readingstockport]

I've spent 7 weeks in the past 5 months over there and it's not like that. Seriously.

I know I tell people to be awake and aware but I say the same to saffas who are coming over here tbh.

You're in a strange country where you don't know the rules. Stay alert, keep awake, obey certain basic security rules and you will be safe. Depending on how things work out in the next 8 months of so I may well be moving there permanently, I like the place that much.

 

[KZNSeagull]

I've spent 7 weeks in the past 5 months over there and it's not like that. Seriously.

I know I tell people to be awake and aware but I say the same to saffas who are coming over here tbh.

You're in a strange country where you don't know the rules. Stay alert, keep awake, obey certain basic security rules and you will be safe. Depending on how things work out in the next 8 months of so I may well be moving there permanently, I like the place that much.

Sorry, only just seen this.

I'm glad you like it here. Like anywhere in the world, the stories you hear from here are all bad and the stories you hear from the Saffers in the UK are usually exaggerated. I had an email from my cousin in the UK 2 weeks ago telling me that she had heard from her neighbours (ex Durbanites) that racial tensions were at an all time high here and she hoped we weren't caught up in any of the trouble!! I asked everyone I knew about this and they hadn't noticed or heard of anything either!!

As you have said and I have said on various threads before, be vigilant and aware of your surroundings and you will be fine. The people who may get in trouble over here are those who act like they would on a night out at home or wander around looking like a mobile jewellery/electrical shop.

I have been here for 6 years with no trouble. My brother has been here for 30 years living in the mining areas and has had no trouble. My Mother in Law has been here for 35 years and once had the wheels on her car pinched. But maybe that is because we are vigilant and try to avoid doing anything silly and I have absolutely no regrets about moving out here.

If you do come here permanently, where will you be living?

 

[readingstockport]

Not sure mate. Need to check my eyesight first and if I can pass the colour vision test then I am seriously considering doing a commerical pilots licence. I would probably initially start either somewhere around j'burg, my father lives in Fairland and I know Lanseria quite well, or possibly around PE or Durban.

If I do it and get a CPL then I would probably plan on moving to Namib, Botswana, Angola or the like to spend my final years bush flying.

I can either fly a desk in Farnborough for the next 19 years before retirement or take a chance and risk everything on doing something exciting and enjoyable.

Where are you in KZN?

Oh, and the only racial tensions I found in Gauteng were the tensions in my arm and wrist from shaking hands. But I am aware and make sure that I take no real risks, except for with the corrupt police of course

 

[Tesco in Disguise]

I'm sure its a great place to visit, but I'd get fed up with having to be so damn CAREFUL about everything all the time.

yeah, that's exactly how i'd feel. like you say, i'm sure it's nice, but it seems you can't ever relax.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Not sure mate. Need to check my eyesight first and if I can pass the colour vision test then I am seriously considering doing a commerical pilots licence. I would probably initially start either somewhere around j'burg, my father lives in Fairland and I know Lanseria quite well, or possibly around PE or Durban.

If I do it and get a CPL then I would probably plan on moving to Namib, Botswana, Angola or the like to spend my final years bush flying.

I can either fly a desk in Farnborough for the next 19 years before retirement or take a chance and risk everything on doing something exciting and enjoyable.

Where are you in KZN?

Oh, and the only racial tensions I found in Gauteng were the tensions in my arm and wrist from shaking hands. But I am aware and make sure that I take no real risks, except for with the corrupt police of course

Sounds good. Good luck with that if that is what you decide to do.

We live in the KZN Midlands - house is in Rosetta which is a little village near Mooi River and our shop is in Nottingham Road on the Midlands Meander so the only call for pilots around here is crop spraying!

And yes, there are some very happy, friendly people in this country considering we are all about to get murdered/raped/mugged!! Much more cheerful than the UK, that's for sure.

As for corrupt cops, call their bluff. Take their name and number and say that you will go to the nearest police station with them. Then you can phone Mr Zuma's corruption hotline, if you can get through that is!! My Father in Law did that and they let him go without a ticket!!

 

[KZNSeagull]

yeah, that's exactly how i'd feel. like you say, i'm sure it's nice, but it seems you can't ever relax.

It's not that bad. You just have to adapt your lifestyle. Yes, parts of this country are bad and I would never go to those places if you paid me.

Would you lock your doors if driving around any major city in the UK? Would you leave your mobile phone or wallet on the table in a restaurant whilst you went to the loo and still expect them to be there when you come back? Would you go to an ATM with lots of people around and take money out whilst they are watching you? Would you go on the tube with half of Dixons hanging around your neck? It is not life shattering things that you need to be aware of, just sensible, cautious stuff.

 

[Easy 10]

Would you lock your doors if driving around any major city in the UK? Nope.

Would you leave your mobile phone or wallet on the table in a restaurant whilst you went to the loo and still expect them to be there when you come back? Nope.

Would you go to an ATM with lots of people around and take money out whilst they are watching you? Yep.

Would you go on the tube with half of Dixons hanging around your neck? Yep.

Thats my answers for the UK.
If I was in Soweto for the World Cup games, I'd be reluctant to leave the hotel.

 

[readingstockport]

Thats my answers for the UK.
If I was in Soweto for the World Cup games, I'd be reluctant to leave the hotel.

You would probably be fairly safe in Soweto as it happens. If you want I can put you in touch with some people from there and they'll take care of you.

It's places like Hillbrow in central j'burg where you have to be VERY careful indeed.

 

[Easy 10]

You would probably be fairly safe in Soweto as it happens. If you want I can put you in touch with some people from there and they'll take care of you.

It's places like Hillbrow in central j'burg where you have to be VERY careful indeed.

Very kind of you sir, but I shall be overseeing the proceedings from the relative safety of my front room and / or a local barstool.

 

[Da Man Clay]

I'm going to Durban in 3 weeks. Thanks to KZN for the good advice. I really can't wait to be honest. Managed to get tickets to the 5 of the 6 games that are on whilst i'm there as well.

Having spoken to a fair few people who have been there/lived there they all say the same thing, just be sensible and careful and you'll be alright.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Thats my answers for the UK.
If I was in Soweto for the World Cup games, I'd be reluctant to leave the hotel.

Fair enough. But I wouldnt be in a hotel in Soweto to start with, but I get your point.

Am off home now to run the gauntlet of marauding Zulus hiding in the bushes

 

[Cheshire]

Been a number of times to the Cape Area of South Africa (which is really beautiful) and was there a week or so back. Sure you have to be aware, but as already stated you do in many areas in Britain so is more common sense than anything else. I find the locals very friendly, even the township kids I have met, who have very little, are polite compared to many of the kids you meet in our towns and cities.

The service you get is generally very good, public loos are spotless and eating out is a very enjoyable experience - of course with great South African wine to go with the meal.

If renting a car the Shopping Malls and Restaurants will have people looking after your car in the car parks, they really get paid little if nothing at all and so it is courteous to tip something like 2 rand. They will not get stroppy if you do not do this, but as I say it is a service they provide and gives them a living. Petrol stations as already mentioned are mainly cash (but it is so cheap compared to UK petrol) they are all manned, which again keeps a workforce earning. Found these guys to be very friendly and clean your windscreen as part of the service.

The crowds the World Cup will attract and the security surrounding the tournament will probably give a more surreal view of South Africa then if you visit at others times (the local paper stated that 95,000 tickets had been purchased from the UK only USA and SA itself beating us so there will be lots of people visiting) - but while you can concentrate on the negatives of what could happen - it also has to be said that there is no reason why this could not be one of the most enjoyable World Cup cultural experiences going.

The only downside is that it is noticeable how prices have gone upwards leading to the World Cup - so your money will not go as far as it once would have but is still cheaper than England. It is a money spinner for the country and so you cannot blame them for taking advantage.

For those going - ENJOY!