We came to see this country . We have enjoyed the scenery, the oceans, the mountains, the farms, and more. The friendliness of the people has been a real treat. Service station attendants, waitresses, and clerks have been pleasant and helpful.
Often our hosts at BnB's have invited us to share a drink, a snack, or a braii (cookout). They have happily shown around their yards, gardens, and farms. Many have given us helpful suggestions for places to visit or favorite spots to eat. All have been welcoming and generous, often asking if there is anything at all they might do for us. Several have asked us to tell our American friends to visit and enjoy all South Africa has to offer. Like most people we meet, they are just trying to do their best.
Nearly all of them are greatly troubled by the changes in South African government. Many have shared their concerns for the future... some have told us horrendous stories of torture and murder. The current situation is the result of decisions made long ago (mainly apartheid) and the carryover of attitudes and behaviors related to those decisions.
The whites here appear to be "protected" from robbery or worse by numerous strands of electric fence surrounding their property, barbed wire fence, automatic gates for vehicle entry, bars protecting every window and door, security lights, and alarm systems. These measures are required for wealthy white people to have a "normal" life here. Stories of attacks and murders prove that the safety net doesn't always work.
The black people here do much of the manual work...
field labor, clerks, waitresses, gas station attendants, etc.
With too little income to purchase a car, we see many of them walking along the roads or hitching a ride (we have been warned not to pick up anyone or even stop if a car has been in an accident as it could be a set up to attack us).
Restaurants and nice shopping malls as well as very clean and well stocked grocery stores are frequented almost exclusively by whites, while blacks sweep the floor, clerk, weigh fruit, and watch the parking lot.
