The South Africa we have right now is a nightmare. If the ANC gets 2/3 in these elections then we're all in trouble. A country lead by a man facing so many criminal charges will have no credibility internationally.
I will have you know that as the average black person, being one myself, is not exactly in paradise. Whether or not it is the Promised Land, as far as I remember, it is a much better place to live than before. The violent crime is out of control (I feel safer in the townships where I grew up than here in the posh side of Grahamstown where I reside while I study), the politics are fucked up (have you heard the recent plans from the Sports Ministry?), and it looks like it'll get worse.
So I am disillusioned and so are most of the young black people I know. But the majority of the black population is poor and uneducated. And have a poor experience of South Africa pre-'94 and for now anything will do. I'm not ashamed to let you know that my mother is one of those people (with just a Std 10 from the times of Bantu education), but she put me through some of the best schools in Gauteng along with my two sisters. So I have something to fight for as one of a relatively small number of well-educated and talented young black people. And as a result I'm looking forward to the change that the younger generations of future politicians WILL bring.
Living in SA is not only tough for white people; it’s tough for all of us. We have different problems but mostly shared ones.
If you don't see a future for yourself as a young white male, I'd suggest you leave already because you won't have a future wherever you go. The Information Systems Honours class at Rhodes last year was mostly white, as is everything here at Rhodes, and the whole class is now employed, those who aren't are furthering they're studies. Young white males have a future in this country, you just have to be talented to get where you want to go. In fact the highest employment offer went to a white guy with a starting salary of over 20k.
Leaving or staying is a tough decision. I think its bit of a gamble, and things will really begin to unfold after this year's election. You also don’t have to leave forever. Take a trip and get some valuable experience. You’ll be highly sought after if you decide to return.
Perhaps my cautious optimism comes from the fact that mine and my girlfriends families were directly involved in the fight for this country’s freedom. And I consider myself a well-adjusted South African with no gripes against white people in spite of the fact that I’ve attended too many funerals in my life (mostly in the late ‘80s) and have had some very bad experiences of white people growing up.
When all is said and done this is the Promised Land for all South Africans. That is not to say that it is not in a sorry state at the moment. That is not to say that I am not disappointed in the people running the country. “They” are the ANC leaders and, whatever or whomever they may represent, don’t for one second think that “they” are representative of all the black people living in this country.
I’m not embarrassed at what this country’s become. My parents did not have the opportunity to educate themselves and take a fair part in the economy. I remember a time when there was no electricity available in my township. I remember taking baths in a big plastic bucket. I remember when there was only bread and tea to eat. I remember how my father built us a new home from the ground up with his own hands. I remember how he started working at FNB as a driver and before he passed away he was one of their best brokers. I have my first degree and my employer is paying for my postgrad studies. My younger sister is studying medicine. My cousins, who were proper dirt poor, all have good jobs and are taking care of their now old and worn-out parents.
I’m only embarrassed that the top politicians are a bunch of clowns and that they still seem to think there’s not that much crime in the country. But from where this country has been, and from the way changes were brought about, I think that it’s not unreasonable to think that there will be positive changes from our current situation. From where I’ve been and where I am now, I certainly believe that there is great change still to come, I’ve seen it with my own young, impressionable eyes, I wait for more still.
As for going or staying, Go my man. But come back soon. It won’t be a waste of your time to explore your industry in another country. Whether you’re going to work in Angola or France, you’ll be better for it. Imagine what you might learn. And if in 3 years or so you find that SA is good enough to come back to, you’d be bringing some unique skills and experience to your industry. I’d go. But I’d come back.
I love this country. We have short memories some of us. I have something to fight for. My enemy now is the conceited and privileged few that call themselves leaders. I hope one day that all South Africans will feel that there is something yet to fight for. For all the kak we have now, you must believe that things will change; they have before you know. Even then when shit was not ideal some people left, and many returned. Others couldn’t and made something of themselves in spite of the difficulty. Go. Go and bring something back. Make your family proud. Ceej, your’s is not so much an opportunity to leave, but more an opportunity to grow. Take it.
Chemical experiment in progress....
Eva body wanna be a bodybuilda, but don nobody wanna lif no heavy-ass weight.
Ronny Coleman
let me tell you that my opinion is not just based on emotions ... i travel into Africa on a constant basis, and the same shit just does not happen as frequent and blatant as here. Look there is crime all over the world but violent race fuelled crime is whats ripping us to shreds. I mean a dude doesnt pay his tv license and he is sentenced harder than a murderer? where is the justice in that? Going overseas is not easy but if you have to protect what is dearest to you ... you will survive 
