Look At The Facts

I am really looking forward to our trip to South Africa, but so many people are really against us going! I have lost count of the number of times we have heard this little fact :

“South Africa has one of the world's highest incidences of violence, including rape and domestic violence, against women.”

It's probably true. However, I am not going to base judgement of a whole country on that one little fact. What about all of these other facts...

• South Africa is one of the largest producers of platinum, manganese, gold, and chrome in the world; also significant coal production. South Africa is Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic hub and one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of gold and platinum.
• South Africa held its fourth democratic election on April 22, 2009. South Africa has a sophisticated financial structure with a large and active stock exchange that ranks 17th in the world in terms of total market capitalization.
• South Africa is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• South Africa assisted the Allied war effort by capturing the two German colonies of German West Africa and German East Africa, as well as participating in battles in Western Europe and the Middle East.
• South Africa is Africa's most popular tourist destination, and for good reason. South Africa has a large number of national parks to visit, with Kruger National Park topping the list.
• South Africa is often described as “the rainbow nation” because of its diverse population. South Africa is a multicultural society, which in many ways is unparalleled in the diversity of its people, cultures and natural resources.
• South Africa, despite all its troubles and sordid history of Apartheid, is now one of the most important, democratic countries on the African continent. South Africa has played a key role in seeking an end to various conflicts and political crises on the African continent, including in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Sudan, Comoros, and Zimbabwe.
• South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; a stock exchange that ranks among the 10 largest in the world; and a modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region.
• South Africa is a year-round destination so cheap flights to South Africa can always be found. The best times to visit depend on the activity you have in mind. Southern-hemisphere rules apply when it comes to seasons. In South Africa, the seasons are predominately summer and winter.

Pretty much out-weighs that statement doesn't it? South Africa has many great points and It's such a pity when people generalize it! I am not stupid, I know there are dangers, but South Africa is safe for all types of travelers, but precautions should be taken in smaller cities, especially after dark.