I dont like posting the same old thing everywhere so having introed on another blog here is a different slant on my introduction.
We get approached for all manner of investigative taskings that have an African flavor. Unfortunately we often have to dispel many myths, perceptions and beliefs about the country.
Business: Think of a business and it is here, big small and in between. It is a vibrant economy.
Geography: Sarah Palin (although she may not have actually said it) was not the first to believe that Africa is a country and that South Africa is simply in the South of it. Not so long ago I got a request to do work on the Algerian Coast around three and a half thousand miles away. The memorable quote was “a colleague told me you covered Africa.” Well yeah but they speak Arabic (I don’t) It’s 3500m away (the budget was 450 USD) and they did not have an address for me to start at.
Tony Goring
Environment: Yup Johannesburg is supposedly the worlds third most dangerous city that is not at a UN recognised state of war or civil insurrection. But we do not carry guns as a habit.
We do have sidewalks use them. There are no Lions in Johannesburg (except at the zoo). Johannesburg also holds the record for being the world’s largest man made forest and not barren scrub of the type shown on TV in various civil wars.
People: There are 11 official national languages here and a couple of informal ones. Everyone speaks English and the vast majority are incredibly hospitable, generous and decent people who do not want or need your wallet or travelers cheques (unless you are buying something).
Infrastructure: Yeah we have intermittent power outages (Thus two truck batteries in my office and a generator in the garden) but it does not stop work. We have hi speed internet (its expensive but we have it) The phone system is fully functional (but again expensive) and you can drink the water (almost free).
Hi Rollers: Gucci, Prada, Rolex, Swiss Banks are all here. Read the papers today and there is a R2b (South African Rand) / $202m USD tax dispute in court. Jeez you gotta earn a lotta money to pay that much tax.
You have not lived until: You have swam in the Indian and Atlantic oceans in the same day, seen the flower season in Namaqualand, visited the Drakensburg mountains, stayed out at night in the bush, tasted the food, drunk the wine and visited South Africa!