Racism in South Africa
What a great welcome to the country. After being offered a lift to Pretoria from a local family, the son and daughter (De Wet and Karinda), took me on a 9 hour drunken tour of the local area with a bunch of their friends. The local stout isn't too bad! Hot countries aren't usually too good at beer.
The people I have met are wonderful, although the racism is very prominent. Over the course of the local tour I heard many comments that you would probably never hear in Canada: how black people smell bad, are stupider, can't be trusted, don't do as they're told, etc. And although I haven't spent time with any black locals it's easy to sense animosity from many of them as I walk around town. This animosity towards South African whites could well be the reason why they don't listen and are not trustworthy.
Some of the comments could simply relate to cultural differences, and I imagine could have some truth to them. I doubt, for example, that Africans from tribal cultures are as adamant about hygiene as people of European descent.
Employers here have a quota of black employees that they have to fill, and as a result white males have a lot of trouble getting a job and are routinely turned down even if they're best suited for the work. A lot of the guys I spoke to my age were very frustrated and most if not all were out of a job.
The segregation of the communities, while no longer institutionalized, is still very very apparent. White homes are large and fairly extravagant, and have electric fences around them and armed security. Black homes are falling apart. You always know for absolute certain if you are in a white area or a black area.
But it's not possible for me to draw any conclusions from such a short stay in the country. Hopefully I'll get to see more on my return. Tomorrow I go to Kruger national park, where I'll be doing a 24 hour safari. I'll update again soon!
The people I have met are wonderful, although the racism is very prominent. Over the course of the local tour I heard many comments that you would probably never hear in Canada: how black people smell bad, are stupider, can't be trusted, don't do as they're told, etc. And although I haven't spent time with any black locals it's easy to sense animosity from many of them as I walk around town. This animosity towards South African whites could well be the reason why they don't listen and are not trustworthy.
Some of the comments could simply relate to cultural differences, and I imagine could have some truth to them. I doubt, for example, that Africans from tribal cultures are as adamant about hygiene as people of European descent.
Employers here have a quota of black employees that they have to fill, and as a result white males have a lot of trouble getting a job and are routinely turned down even if they're best suited for the work. A lot of the guys I spoke to my age were very frustrated and most if not all were out of a job.
The segregation of the communities, while no longer institutionalized, is still very very apparent. White homes are large and fairly extravagant, and have electric fences around them and armed security. Black homes are falling apart. You always know for absolute certain if you are in a white area or a black area.
But it's not possible for me to draw any conclusions from such a short stay in the country. Hopefully I'll get to see more on my return. Tomorrow I go to Kruger national park, where I'll be doing a 24 hour safari. I'll update again soon!
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