What if I told you that my mother is from South Africa, and I have 1st hand knowledge of the country, rather than "I have heard some Black South Africans say......"? I also had the chance to meet Mandela and visited Robin Island

Good for you. What if I told you that posting a bunch of pictures that turned out not to be yours probably didn't help your credibility any. So tell us then, based your first hand knowledge would the majority of black south africans have preferred it if there was no economic sanctions. Did the sanctions help speed change in South Africa?

The fact that I heard some black south africans say it doesnt change the fact that that is what they said. I dont know one way or another if that was a majority view, I just sort of assumed that Nelson Mandella had some sort of a clue.

Heaven forbid that you actually post something thought provoking or original here, but if you have something useful to add to the debate I cant help but think this is your golden opportunity.

Did the sanction help speed change in South Africa? Big fat NO, just like other countries that have sanctions placed on them

Oh...and this is from coversations have had when over there during and after the aparthied from people on the ground. Mandela was labelled a terrorist, wasn't he just a freedom fighter like Che' et al?

I'd be inclined to wonder if you'd be more credible if you knew that it was Robben Island, and to wonder how having a (presumably white) South African mother puts you in any stronger position to comment than somebody else?

District 9 was a fictional movie, sure - but its premise (of forced removal and segregation) was largely inspired by the forced removal of inhabitants of District Six in Cape Town between 1968 and 1982.

There are numerous, factual, references to the point Iaink made: news of anti-Apartheid protests (including official and unofficial trade embargos) provided significant motivation to some anti-Apartheid activists within South Africa, who were bouyed by the knowledge that at least somebody outside the country gave a toss.

A women gets lashes for driving a car what a sad racist Country to live in I think we should all count our blessings we do not live in such a disgusting Country.

Yep, the UK aint to bad is it.

*yawn* Perhaps it's because of the 1 parent origin, the fact that I have been there to speak to the people that went through it, and saw things for myself?

Eh...don't be cheeky Compared to Greece right now, it ain't

So are you going to contribute some first hand insight? or just more balloon stuffing?

I remember Mr. Mandela being released. I remember South Africa being outside of the Commonwealth. I remember South African sporting teams being banned from international events. I remember huge public displays of objection to the apartheid system. I have no memory of economic sanctions.

I have no knowledge of what caused the Government in South Africa to change its previous position. I have no inclination to research that fact now. If you tell me economic sanctions were instrumental with achieving the abolition of apartheid, I believe you. I have no real knowledge one way or the other.

I can tell you that it did diddly squat based on what I saw there in the country when I travelled there before and after and the people I spoke to.

Do you also remember Hillbrow as a fantastic thriving fun place to live that became the murder capital of the world as the whites moved out when Mandela got in.

I remember the uproar over Zola Budd suddenly becoming British so she could run in the Olympics, not that it did her any good

It made her a millionaire, so I suppose it did do her good.

As the one who first mentioned South Africa and apartheid, I apologise, I didn't mean this thread to get hijacked into a discussion on how 'right-on' you can be.

Fact is, we're all Big Fat Hypocrites when it comes to Saudi Arabia. We will let them do whatever the hell they want as long as they (i) keep producing the drug we need, and (ii) use some of the money pay pay them for that drug to buy our guns and bombs.

Like all dealers, we secretly hate them. We can't tell them that though, because we need their drug.

So the dealer slapped your sister about... whatcha gonna do? Exactly. Nothing.

The dealer lets the local pyschopaths live in his spare room, and even gives them money so that they can harrass you... whatcha gonna do? Thought not.

The dealer is the richest dude in town. You're maxed out on your credit cards yet you still keep buying his drugs with more borrowed money. Meanwhile, he's buying up all the prime real estate in your street. Whatcha gonna do? How?

Saudi woman gets lashed? Boo hoo. Call the cops. Got any more oil?