Interesting Article in CNN on SA Politics

[buck wild]

https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2018/11/africa/south-africa-suidlanders-intl/


They're prepping for a race war. And they see Trump as their 'ray of hope'

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2018/11/africa/south-africa-suidlanders-intl/


They're prepping for a race war. And they see Trump as their 'ray of hope'

News to me. Better get myself ready then.

 

[BRICKBURN]

News to me. Better get myself ready then.

Come on man, you have to follow the plan set out for you by the US media.

 

[buck wild]

News to me. Better get myself ready then.

I think the point of the author was that this was not the case. He points to the documented murders of farmers as a result of criminal activity, not that of an organized political take over.

 

[Hogpatrol]

More left wing/CNN bullshit fake/junk news. They've got it down to a science. According to AllSides News website, they are FAR LEFT leaning.

 

[BeeMaa]

News to me. Better get myself ready then.

So you are not seeing the violence that is being broadcast?
My wife and I have had conversations as recently as yesterday concerning the violence.
Up to and including the possible cancelation of our 2019 safari in Limpopo and Free State.

What is your view of the situation?
Not asking a political or official statement, just your personal opinion.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

So you are not seeing the violence that is being broadcast?
My wife and I have had conversations as recently as yesterday concerning the violence.
Up to and including the possible cancelation of our 2019 safari in Limpopo and Free State.

What is your view of the situation?
Not asking a political or official statement, just your personal opinion.

Boring news does not sell. It happens in every major city in the world, but its far from what is being portrayed, especially on CNN. Would I advise you to do city tours in JHB, certainly not. Locals don't even do that.
Sir, don't cancel your trip. We are not doing anything differently now to what we were doing in 2012.
Hope to read a great report from your successful trip to South Africa next year.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

 

[BeeMaa]

Boring news does not sell. It happens in every major city in the world, but its far from what is being portrayed, especially on CNN. Would I advise you to do city tours in JHB, certainly not. Locals don't even do that.
Sir, don't cancel your trip. We are not doing anything differently now to what we were doing in 2012.
Hope to read a great report from your successful trip to South Africa next year.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

Thank you sir.
I appreciate your honest response.
I may be contacting you in the future about this subject, if that would be OK with you.

 

[barbells.and.arrows]

So you are not seeing the violence that is being broadcast?
My wife and I have had conversations as recently as yesterday concerning the violence.
Up to and including the possible cancelation of our 2019 safari in Limpopo and Free State.

What is your view of the situation?
Not asking a political or official statement, just your personal opinion.

I was very concerned before we went in August (our first time over) because the media is so stupid here, and I literally don't go anywhere (sans the places it's illegal) without a pistol here in the US. Once we got there, and got to camp my worries very quickly went away. Talk to your outfitter, and ask questions. We had several friends and people we knew personally who had been with the outfitter we used. I had heard all sorts of great things, then sketchy stories from people we knew (all surrounding OR Tambo and it's personnel). We didn't encounter anything that made us feel uneasy even at the airport, and that's saying a lot. At the airport everyone we encountered was friendly, just not very motivated. Hell I feel uneasy going to Walmart in the town I live in. There are bad people everywhere, but your PH & locals know where they frequent and where to avoid.

Also, my husband and I are hoping to go back in 2019 or 2020, and I won't have a reservation in my mind, unless out outfitter tells us we should.

 

[BeeMaa]

Thank you for the information about SA and I'm pretty much on board with your view.
My bride...that's another story.
We aren't canceling anything at the moment, but we aren't walking around with blinders on either.
We will make a final decision probably at the beginning of May 2019.

FYI - we both are licensed to carry concealed and outside of work, that's just what we do.
I have a feeling she would be much happier taking a 9mm SBR with 3 cans of ammo, but she will have to make do.
Thanks again.

 

[barbells.and.arrows]

@BeeMaa I totally understand. I mean for my slightly paranoid mindset there was no greater relief than seeing our PH waiting for us, and maybe a little more relief when we got away from Johannesburg.
If she’s still worried sick as it gets closer, post again and I’m betting most will chime in very reassuringly, and don’t watch the news.
Literally I had coworkers and family members basically tell me I was going to get kidnapped over there, and I never once actually felt that way.

Also the VIP meet & greet some places offer at the airport to help you through customs might ease her worries a little.

 

[BeeMaa]

Also the VIP meet & greet some places offer at the airport to help you through customs might ease her worries a little.

Already signed up for some type of VIP thingie but not sure exactly what it is.
She get's her blood up every now and then, but she's not paranoid...just realistic.
Seeing posts like these from you and others certainly helps.
Thanks again.

 

[Ragman]

This past July I hunted in the Eastern Cape with @KMG Hunting Safaris and was accompanied by my better half. Having her come along made me a little more concerned over the news reports that we are all seeing. I decided to put my faith in what I read on here from guys who live there like Marius and Victor from @Karoo Wild Safaris. We arrived 2 days ahead of our safari and spent a couple of wonderful days wandering the beach in Port Elizabeth. In the evening we also walked to the nearby restaurant. We always felt safe. We also spent a day in Port Alfred with Marius' wife for a day of shopping without feeling at risk (personally, I am more afraid of shopping!) and stopped twice in Grahamstown. All our time spent at the lodge or on any of the hunting properties were extremely safe feeling.
I guess my point is that at this time, if I had a hunt booked for 2019 or 2020, I would have no reservations whatsoever. Of course my only RSA experience has been the EC one time, but I do believe I would feel safe with the outfitters in any other province. And during our layover in J'burg I quickly vetoed Tina's suggestion that we leave the airport for a while. I wasn't gonna let that happen!

 

[Hogpatrol]

Any country is safe if you don't get stupid but sometimes shit happens. I stayed with my PH and family at a guesthouse in Richards Bay. Short story long, twelve foot walls, electrified wires on top, a guest had his 1990s Toyota SUV's window broken and the radio stolen. We figured they climbed adjacent trees and dropped down by rope. Another time,
stayed at a guesthouse in Blomfontein, bullet hole in the bathroom window, shot from the outside. Had a really quick shower there.

 

[Dewald]

I did not really want to say anything here, but the post has gradually changed from a possible “race war” in SA to general crime and safety.

To touch on the Race war issue. Prior to social media I don’t think anyone knew who the so called Suidlanders were. Most of us still don’t, but obviously they are getting some airtime with lots of YouTube click bait.

To say they represent the majority of white South Africans or Afrikaners would be as ludicrous as saying a few liberals from California, or some far right Neo Nazi group is a representative sample of white US citizens.

Even though there are racial tensions in SA (as in the rest of the world) a race war is impossible on numerous levels. And apart from the keyboard warriors, on both sides - who wont lift a fatty, burger crusted finger to actually fight, nor leave the comfort of their homes, the real SA has come very, very far in as far as racial integration goes. The average funcional citizen in SA, works with colleagues from different races every day, with zero racial tension involved, or planning his first move in the “race war”

To touch on crime.

I have lived and worked in 6 of the 9 provinces in SA, and currently live in Northern Kwa-zulu Natal, not far from Richards Bay. The same rules apply everywhere.

Petty crime is common. Don’t leave valuables in your car, don’t venture into unsafe, dodgy areas. That applies the entire world over. The tourist attractions, hunting areas and game reserves are safe and the people friendly and placid. Your PH/ Outfitter will guide you in terms of safe areas to visit, and which areas/ roads to avoid. In all my years hunting, camping and going on holiday in Southern Africa I had one set of binoculars stolen by a day laborer in 2008 in Southern Namibia, which I left unattended on the vehicle. I have however, on multiple occasions forgotten wallets, phones, other valuables and keys at holliday destinations, only to return and find the staff kept them safe for me. As recently as 15 November I lost my house keys, forgotten on my hunting vehicle’s bumper, only to be picked up by a stranger down the road and returned to me.

So no. All is not lost and chaotic over in SA. Listen to your Outfitter/PHs advice, and you will have a wonderful holiday here.

PS. Hogpatrol. I wonder if that hole is not the work of a naughty kid with a pellet gun. A Handgun or rifle would have surely shattered the glass.

 

[Hogpatrol]

@Dewld, Yep, probably a pellet gun. As far as being fearful of going to RSA, Moz and other African hunting venues, I don't worry about the outliers. I'd go back to Richards Bay in a heartbeat, some great fishing there. As far as the locals, I've probably been treated better and more respectful than in many tourist traps in the U.S.

 

[barbells.and.arrows]

As far as the locals, I've probably been treated better and more respectful than in many tourist traps in the U.S.

I agree with this SOO much! We spent 95% of our time hunting, but the little time we spent in town, or at the airport all of the people we encountered were so nice. I ran in a gas station to use the restroom one day, and here in the states that would have been dreadful for two reasons, the creeps in the store & the cleanliness. That bathroom was spotless, and 100% creep free. Granted our PH drove to this specific one across town because I had asked to use the restroom when he filled gas, so I'm assuming he knew which one was cleanest.
And at the airport in Johannesburg we grabbed a meal before our flight, and I had a pretty good chunk of rands left, so I tipped the waitress the equivalent of $30 in rands. The manager chased my husband and I out of the restaurant with the waitress in tow as we walked out, and asked me if I knew how much money I had left for a tip. I quickly explained I knew the conversion, and was just trying to be generous, and he asked me about three more times if I was sure, then told the waitress she could keep it. In the US, no one would have though twice to see if I had accidentally left too much money on the table.