South Africa wrap up

Now that I've officially exited the South African border, it might be time for a summary of my first country on this trip.

I can't claim to understand the country and its problems, and I've only spoken in depth with white South Africans, and that's only 10% of the story.

- There's a HUGE discrepancy between the haves and have nots. I really got a taste of this in Joburg when I went through the township and shanty towns in the morning and then Darryl took me for a drive through the Hyde Park neighborhood with walls so tall you can't see over them.

- South Africa is unique in that it has affirmative action for the majority of the people. About 90% are black and 10% are white. After apartheid, the government seems to have overcompensated a bit by putting in place policies such as "Black Economic Empowerment" that put black Africans into high level positions. However, they were ill-equipped to do these jobs...according to many.

- It's impossible for a white South African, especially white man, to get a job in government.

- The education system is messed up. Some public schools have class sizes over 100 or even 150 students. Children basically sit around under the tree all day waiting for their few minutes of actual class time. One mother (black) I spoke with said they should bring back the white people to run the schools because they knew what they were doing. One retired principal volunteered his services for free and was rejected because he's white.

- AIDS is rampant. A doctor told me infection rate is over 40% in the country, and his medical ward is over 90%. He wants to immigrate to Canada because he wants to get away from all the AIDS exposure and he can't wait for the day when he doesn't have to carry a gun with him at all times.

- A lot of white South Africans have gone to Australia or Canada or the UK but there are also many who are fiercely patriotic and would never leave their land. But then again, they are the ones who live in nice homes and employ housekeepers and gardeners.