So anyone been anyone worked there any thoughts.

Get a gun, a big gun, preferably an automatic...

Oh and find a cheap source for razor wire!

Be prepared to give up the Internet.

A friend's sister lives in SA. They don't get broadband in most places, those that do pay by the minute for connection (no flat rate time or volume contracts last time I heard, the sister would log in a couple of times a week to pick up emails, as they couldn't afford to use it all the time.

They live in a suburb of Jo'burg and they have a large compound, which has large walls around it, with armed guards and the houses within the compound have tall fences as well, topped with razor wire.

Another friend was communications officer at the American consulate and he had better things to say, but his previous post was Lagos, where they were supposed to drive with an armed guard everywhere and they had to radio in every 5 minutes, otherwise they would send out an armed team to look for them! He usually rode around on an old scrambler, which was faster, more agile and he was less of a target than driving in a consulate car - although he suffered a couple of times from people trying to hitch hike by actually trying to leap onto the bike as he was riding past!

So SA was a lot saner for them. But, again, stories of armed guards, compounds etc. and lack of Internet outside of the consulate.

Edit: Did a quick search for SA ISPs, looks like about 15-20€ a month for 3GB shaped traffic may be available, but depends on where you are.

+1 It's a crime hell hole. A few safe areas perhaps, but in general it just isn't safe.

We have an office in cape town, reputedly one of the safer cities.

About 6 months ago the deputy manager was picking up some colleagues and stopped outside their apartment.

The next minute a revolver was held to his temple and he was forced out of his car, made to empty his pockets and lie on the floor.

The guy then drove off in his car.

He no longer lives in South Africa.

On the other hand the internet connectivity is expensive but is fairly reliable. I have to talk to their ISP now and again and whilst they initially didn't know their arse from their elbow, they have got up to speed in the last few years.

HTH

Didge.

Perhaps obvious, but why would you want to move. Isn't the Costa del Brit working out? Not warm enough? Sick of pretending to learn Spanish?

I've worked a lot of South Africans. It's not safe there, the women are not happy hence why they're living over here.

Don't.

Simples.

Don't forget the anti-hijack flamethrowers for the car

Well I have only been once ,three weeks holiday with my brother when he was living in Joburg
and I want to go again loved it yes there are bad areas but you get that everywhere ,I was just wondering if any of the fourumites had worked there
he has moved to Cape Town now so I want to go again and try not to just do the touristy bits.

I think you might have underestimated the problem?

My mum lived over there, and I honestly think it has scarred her.

One of my friends moved back to Cape Town a few years back (her parents live there). She likes it out there but moves around a lot to prevent feeling 'hemmed in' by the security required around her house. She NEVER goes anywhere alone. It certainly would not be my first choice

Al

What everyone said, its an awful place to live. Had a friend who said Nigeria was more fun to live in, he worked for KLM and was stationed all over.

Go to Australia, it's (slightly) less dangerous and just as warm.

Oh, was he the prince that had found 2.1 billion US dollars, and needed a grand to get to it?

Move to Singapore instead. When I was there I walked the streets and night and felt totally safe.