Someone who has BEEN to South Africa, what is it like?

I am just curious as to what daily life is like in south africa.. stuff like how do u get around? cars are most common? jobs/businesses/education.. phones? would someone in south africa be able to call the US on a cell phone? etc..

basically anything you know and are willing to tell! thanks!

LOL the guy i talked to.. made it sound like there wasn't even running water. Anyway i may visit and i am interested in knowing as much as i can!

We have cars just like you do.
There is a lively vehicle manufacturing sector here. Many cars are exported, such as all Hummer H3's are made in SA - even the ones you see on the road in the US. We drive on the left side of the road.

We have busses, taxis, trains, airlines, just like you do.
Our minibus taxis are different though. They have to be seen to be believed!

We have the same kind of jobs you do.
Doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, plumbers, shop assistants, farmers, bakers....

We have big, medium and small businesses, just like you do.
Mining is BIG business here! The world's biggest gold and platinum mines. The Miller Beer company of the US is owned by a South African company. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is the 10th biggest in the world.

We have the same kind of education as you do.
Kindergarten, schools, colleges, universities, the full range.

We have the same kind of phones as you do.
More cellphones per 1000 population than any other country in the world. You can phone anywhere you like. Our cellphone network is in fact much better developed than any other country of a comparable size. Much better than the US. If you are thinking of bringing your own phone, our system is 3G/GSM in all the cities and large towns and GSM elsewhere. Otherwise you can rent a phone and buy prepaid time at the airport when you arrive.

i haven BEEN there......but

theres lots of white people there.....

the education is nice.....

the money is good....

they have small projects there....paid in dollars....

Yes, it's okay! Of course you can call the US on a cell, we are not in the stone age you know!!!

Cars are most common. The public transport is good, you always get to your destination and can sometimes save a few rand when travelling by combi. They are small minibuses and take up to 15 people. You can麓t walk from suburb to suburb, they are just too far apart.
Most people usually do matric, their a-levels, and look for a job straight away or go to college or university. The government lends you a sum of money for university if you are a citizen, but you have to pay the rest alone. That麓s why many who originally wanted to go to university end up going to college because it麓s the next alternative. The ones who look for a job straight away usually do something in a bank, typing or in a supermarket.
South Africa is the most advanced country in Africa so of course they have phones and internet which connects you to the rest of the world.

Lol, I'm a South African citizen & believe me when I say that who ever said South Africa is a "rainbow nation", they got it right (we have 9 provinces & 11 official languages). There many different races & we've made huge progress & will get more advanced at the pace that we are moving.

1.The daily life is normal, kids going to school 5 days a week & grown ups going to work in early hours of the morning.

2. We use trains, taxis & buses to get to where ever we so wish to go (for people who don't have cars) & yes cars are common (cars used in S.A can be found abroad).

3.There are good jobs, businesses are expanding & the education is great (on the education part, 50 Chinese schools will be opened in South Africa taking education to another level). Things are getting much better, creating more jobs.

4. Communicating with the world is easy, I mean if a person is able to call China & London on cell (using a "Telkoms" world call card, I'm sure they can also call some1 in the US).

Not every1 knows what "Mzansi" (which means South Africa) is all about.

N.B. We do have tap water & Electricity.

Stay away we have daily power cuts our infrastruture is calapsing the crime is out of control go on to the website news24.com then youll see what goes on in that circus

Nanou, have you ever been to South Africa? The public transport is good? NOT! You take your life in your own hands if you get into a taxi minbus or train in South Africa. Other than that, we are just like the rest of the modern world, infrastructure and economy in place. We just have a huge crime problem due to the poverty and unemployment and at present are experiencing a national power crisis, as ESKOM, the main power supplier, is unable to supply in the growing needs of the population.

i have been there twice and i am american. some areas as i remember were a bit sketchy. but for the most part it was a great experience. be careful at the airports and stuff. cars are common. i went to a resort area-umhlanga. ya you can call the us on a cell phone. i would recommend coastal areas but the safaris are great too. i really liked the mall in umhlanga-gateway. : ) it was really cool. there is so much to do and experience in sa. i would totally recommend going there, but it may be quite a culture shock in some areas. i loved visiting the tribal villages. it was so different and cool. i would recommend going in winter in the us (summer there), even though it is peak season.