jbtg

Dear all on britishexpats.com

I am currently looking to move to SA. I am not new to SA as i did live out there for a very brief time (5 months) 4 years ago, i never had any problems and have been looking forward to returning. Although a few friends have told me that the country will not be the one i remember i am still keen.

I am young and not taking a family with me. It is just me! I am looking to move in January to go and do a year long course in lodge and my FGASA. Then following that (if i am still keen) buying a lodge. SA is my number one choice at the moment although i am also looking at Botswana.

Does anyone have any experience of life in Botswana?

I have been reding through all the posts, and i haven't found anything positive! I agree that SA is dangerous! Very dangerous, and i am fully aware that it can infringe (hopefully not control) your life.

I am obviously looking to go into the tourist industry. Is the opinion that the tourism industry in SA will continue to grow? 2010 must be a bonus...

I fully understand the problem with getting a job in SA but how is the potential for new business?

I feel that the life style that can be acquired in Africa is second to none. Is this now not the opinion of South Africans? I know lots of people who, granted have gone through some terrible things with crime, one of my friends was shot in Malawi 2 years ago. But they still love it!

I welcome all advice and any questions, Thank You.

Campbells

Saw UB 40 in Botswana.

What is FGASA ?

jbtg

FGASA is: The field guide association of South Africa. It is a qualification needed to be a field guide.

I am looking to get it as i would like to buy a game lodge...

Campbells

My 5 cents worth is to look at your studies from a world wide recognition perspective. In other words does the rest of the world recognise the qualification you are about to embark on.

I am quite sure that SA has some of the best game parks in the world and we use to frequent Mountain Sanctuary Park (in Magaliesberg) which was often used as a training centre for game rangers.

Regardless of your thoughts and direction now, personally I would still look into the international recognition as you never know where you may want to go.

The big question is of course do you have experience in running a business? What is your background? Where you are currently based?

jbtg

I have experience running a business and i have experience with game and i am from a farming background in the UK. The point of the qualification being recognized anywere else, well yes it is recognized throughout Africa. But not anywere else, but what does that mater as they dont have game!

Does anyone on this forum have anything positive? I no lots of people in Africa who are positive and think for investment it might have a bright future! Especially in Botswana.

Anyone agree? Or is it all doom and gloom!

Campbells

I would say your biggest problem in South Africa will be that your are a white boy from Colonial head office – GREAT BRITAIN. Rule Britannia & all that.

Just too much racialism in SA and a white boy from UK probably will be seen to be looking to steal land from some poor African. Of course if that doesn’t bite you maybe the land claims will come and take back the farm you stole in 20 years time because you are a white farmer boy from England. You know the recent David Ratary slaughter ……….

Just as a matter of interest do you have a black partner lined up as I believe you will have to have a 51% shareholder, which is a black person. Tourism SA will only give you the rubber stamp if you have all the right racial formats in place, such as.

TouristTrap

So why are you bothering to ask perfect strangers on an internet forum then?

ededed

Don't worry about Campbells - he's just going through the menopause.

There are lots of views on be.com - I guess that's the point of a forum. Some will tell you that are you mad to even think of coming here, but it sounds like you understand and appreciate the risks - but with risks come great reward. The country is beautiful, the people are (mostly) friendly and the lifestyle beats anywhere in the world. Just understand that there are dangers and frustrations - as there are in any country (though magnified here). Don't underestimate the risks - and brace yourself for an absolute mountain of red tape - this is quite simply the most incompetent government you will ever have the misfortune to encounter.

And look on the bright side. If it wasn't for the crime, this country would be full of Australians.

Campbells

Obviously you are very qualified to offer advice on SA since you have been there in SA, what is it? just under a month.

Also, don’t make pathetic remarks trying to discredit me or I will take your remarks to the moderator.

You want to offer your opinion do so, but do not try to discredit mine in the process.

Freedom of speech is alive, well at least in most counties.

be.com looks like an advertisement rather than info to me .
.

jbtg

My reply to Campbells, If your so bloody unhappy then just leave! You seam to be very bitter!

Thank you for your advice.

ededed

5 years in total actually Campbells. I didn't know there was a qualification period on being allowed an opinion.

Read the post again - I don't see where you are being discredited - in fact, I think it's important to ensure all know both sides of the debate. Apologies if you took offence to the initial lighthearted remark - twas meant in jest, no more.

Friends?

Campbells

Sorry what are you referring to ?

Leave the UK where you are or leave SA ?

Wasn’t the minister of Safety and Security Charles Nkuagga just doing a talk in Great Britain a few months after he also said, if you are unhappy then just leave.

I don’t understand your harsh reply. I am trying to give you advice as a white farmer from Great Britain considering buying a game farm in SA and the potential real risks you face and you come back with *I must be bitter*.

It is true, have you not heard many people describe SA as just the same country with apartheid reversal and now you as a white farmer want to go there and buy a farm?

Why not Spain or Geterbsby, both these countries have great farming prospects with great tax breaks for ex-British farmers looking to start up. You would not be faced wit the racial preferencing that you certainly will in SA.

I’m not bitter, just trying to offer you options to consider.

Best of luck my colonial friend.

God save the Queen I say

Campbells

Your post dated 8th of May 2007

I was not referring to opinion but rather experience.

The jest is no problem, you are the one living in SA so you have a right to a sense of humour.

Friends is good

ededed

Ah - but I was here between 1997 & 2001 - which was the good old, bad old days - I think. I get confused. Some would say that coming back is like getting married for a second time. I know what I'm getting into, so only have myself to blame.

I don't remember so many power cuts 6 years ago - and back then the home affairs department was simply dirty and staff were unhelpful - whereas today it is positively unhygenic and the staff are actually offensive. And you could bribe a traffic cop, watch a movie, fill your tank with petrol and buy a Zimbabwean farm and still get change from R50.

It's mother's day on Sunday. Mine is in the UK, hers is here. I tried telling the wife it's not "mother-in-laws" day and I should be excused to go and watch United get the premiership trophy, but she wondered if I enjoyed having genitals, so a luncheon with Beelzebub awaits. Happy weekend.

Tegwyn

Botswana is probably your safer bet. Good friends of mine runs one of the Southern Suns hotels there and they sound happy with their choice. He used to be a GM for one of the hotels in Sun City prior to this posting in Botswana. Anyone know if Sol is still the big boy in charge of it all? Saw his lovely home in the Bahamas. He certainly is a wealthy lad.