Is South Africa as bad/good as people say?

[Thiswaytobermuda]

My work has suggested I might like to take up a permanent position in SA. It would be Johannesburg, and moving costs would be included. We wouldn't be at the top end of income but it would be reasonable, and we could afford some domestic help, although I'm not sure we could then cover private schools, unless they are cheap. We have children and I am sure they will slot fine into school generally but I am particularly worried about where the reception year DC would fit in as I understand school starts at 6 or 7 only. Do people really feel very unsafe driving around or being alone in a house at night (my partner would be travelling sometimes to keep his job going alongside mine)? Are services likely to go downhill in the next few years? (I have previously lived in Cape Town for a while and another African country but long ago and without children. Found some aspects like electricity black outs or no water for a day frustrating but manageable, but also never felt unsafe.) Will I spend all my time worrying about our safety and not enjoy what I think SA does offer families, like weather and outdoor pursuits, cheap food,and local travel?. What may I miss so much from the UK that I would regret the move?

My dad lived there for three years, he loved it, spent his whole time on the golf course and fishing and he raved about the healthcare but he was retired and in a gated community. I went out a couple of times and it was a beautiful place to visit but dad's friends who had lived there all their lives never stopped warning us of the dangers of going anywhere or doing anything. I'm not a nervous driver but I was genuinely scared of driving anywhere on my own. It's also a hefty flight from the UK, it was a relief when he swapped SA for Portugal.

Johannesburg is very very different to Cape Town OP and I think you should go spend some time there without your children first.

I suggest you read the wiki page on sexual violence in South Africa as well. It is not a place to raise children by choice.

I went to a private all girls school in Johannesburg. I was held at gunpoint around the corner waiting to be picked up TWICE. While trying to report a rape in my teens I was laughed at and asked if I wanted it to happen again right there.

Been there 6x times (won’t bore worth why!)
Honestly - I can’t don’t like it at all. Not one bit. The entire “feel” is off. And I find South Africans invariably abrasive, rude and defensive.

Your work 'suggested ' you would like the job. That means they cannot get anyone else and are now desperate ( I'm sorry if that sounds bad)

SA is dangerous if you are white or foreign

I am married to a South African. We met in his country many years ago. I loved it and always wanted to live there. Recently we were given the oppertunity and we turned it down. My childrens safety comes first and I would not feel comfortable staying in JHB alone whilst my DH travelled.
When we visit there it feels stressful. You have to constantly be aware of your surroudings and where you children are. You get used to it, as you get used to everything, but the question is, is it worth it?

SA is barbaric. Just read the recent stories in the news.

South Africans in general are quite grumpy and irritable too

SA is dangerous if you are white or foreign

Actually SA is statistically most dangerous if you are poor, black and local.

I lived in Jo'burg for a little while a few years ago. This was pre kids but I have to say I didn't feel safe when walking around. I was on edge a lot of the time. You will end up though in a v secure gated community but everyone will have a personal crime story to tell you. You have to be a lot more aware and vigilant than in the UK. The inequality is huge. I would definitely choose Cape Town or Durban over Jo'burg, if you can! Having said all that, I do really love South Africa!

I’m a Brit living in South Africa with my SA husband, we had our children here and have no interest in going back to the UK. But we live on the coast in a small community, I wouldn’t entertain joburg. SA has huge challenges and frustrations but is a wonderful country. The cost of living is high though- yes you might have a nice house and domestic help but medical, education and household costs are high and ever increasing. It is something we really miscalculated when we moved.

We used to go on holiday there a lot, until someone we knew from staying on his property was murdered. I would not go on holiday again, certainly not live there.

There are an awfully large number of white South Africans appearing around our area at the moment. The government is hideously corrupt and anyone able to get a U.K. passport is getting out.

I would not take kids to Jo'burg under any circumstances. CPT I would consider.

I have a South African friend and the things she tells me and stories she links to are amazing.

Food prices have been rising really fast, and electricity cuts.

She shared a story recently about a 6 year old girl being raped and murdered close to her. In the UK that would obviously be national news for months but here it was a story on the inside pages of the newspaper as it's not the rare event it is here.

My friend is coloured, she hates both whites for being rich and blacks for seemingly having things like free water handed to them.

My friend is also a lesbian and is not accepted for who she is.

I wouldn't live there under any circumstances.

There's a 19% rate of HIV infection in the country with a severe lack of medical care for those affected. A lot of preachers still think it is cured by prayer.

A friend of mine (Brit) married a SA. They have lived there for 15 years.
They have just relocated to UK- apparently life is horrendously unsafe, and they worry for the safety of their teens.
Massive power outages, political instability, few opportunities for white kids (I can see why after years of oppression), corruption, cost of living, car jackings, gun crime are some of the issues..
They were trying to sell their house, but have decided safety is more important.
Her quote was 'anyone who has a foreign passport is leaving'.

So not a great career move.