GPSA Weekly View 29 July 2004 Impressions of an American visitor

This week Bill is giving us his honest opinion about this country after his short visit here. Obviously there's more to it but for fear of sounding presumptuous, this is the "lowdown" of it. Bill feels (quite rightly so) that he hasn't spent enough time here to justify any further remarks.

Impressions of South Africa

I suppose it isn’t really fair for an American citizen to write a synopsis of his visit to South Africa when that visit encompassed only a week; not nearly enough time to have given birth to educated, well informed conclusions. However, this website’s host, my friend and “brother” Gerrie, has expressed an interest in my impressions, and our friendship dictates that I attempt to satisfy his request. May I take just a moment to express our gratitude to Gerrie for taking a day out of his busy schedule, not only to escort us around, but for the most appreciated opportunity of our getting to know him better. He and I have been “internet friends” for some time now, and it was wonderful to have the chance to actually “press the flesh” and have face-to-face dialogue. What a terrific guy! Thanks, my brother! Polly and I are saving your gift of wine to enjoy on our anniversary, July 25.

Our week-long visit was for the primary purpose of attending the christening of our beautiful goddaughter. A bit of background is in order. A year ago, a young South African girl from Roodepoort, who had been living and working in Chicago, moved with her fiancee to our southern city. She joined our church and very soon, she, my wife and I became good friends. Unfortunately, when she became pregnant, her “loved one” abandoned her, causing her great emotional distress. We took her into our home, procured the pre-natal and surgical care she needed, then set about raising the funding for air fare and for a financial pad, before returning her to her family in South Africa. During the time she was living with us, we became quite close, both emotionally and spiritually. After returning home, she contacted us, explaining that she had discussed the matter with her family and with their approval, asked if my wife and I would consider accepting the honor of being her daughter’s godparents, once she was born. We were deeply touched by her request and enthusiastically agreed. We are about as far from being wealthy people as one can imagine. When she and her family began asking if we would attend the christening, we knew it was out of the question. However, God has a way of providing when He approves of a particular activity, and in truly miraculous fashion, we were able to fund the trip.

Now, to Bro. Gerrie’s request.

Mental snapshots:
The People of South Africa.- In a word, WONDERFUL! I was so very pleasantly surprised at the good nature, friendliness and helpfulness of everyone with whom we came into contact. This applies not only to our host family, but to people who were employed in a vast array of occupations. Everywhere we ventured we were made to feel genuinely welcome! Garages, butcher shops, greengrocers, clothing stores, restaurants and tourist attractions. Nowhere did we have a less than satisfying experience. Well, I do have to say the American Express employee with whom we conducted business was a bit “stiff,” (LOL!) but other than that…………….

The Architecture of the Greater Joburg Area. - Far more interesting and varied than that to which I am accustomed. This opinion encompasses all of the different economic classes of neighborhoods which I either visited, or simply passed through, on the way to another location.

The Social Climate. - I did not observe any more “apartness” than that which I normally observe in my own country. I believe this is universal. One thing which made a distinct impression upon me was how polite people were to each other. Customers in places of business were unfailingly courteous to the people who were issuing parking receipts, directing auto traffic and helping with purchases. Homeowners treated their gardeners and household help with deep courtesy and genuine concern. This is to South Africa’s credit. Sad to say that one does not always observe the same level of courtesy in my country.

The Economic Climate. - The great disparity between the haves and the have-not's is quite obvious. With something approaching 40 % or more unemployment, this is not surprising. A number of factors have contributed to the current situation. It is obvious that the government of South Africa is not able to adequately address this monumental issue, and that statement is not intended as an indictment of the government. As stated previously, many factors have contributed to the current situation. It may surprise you, but I see a similar, if a bit less epic trend developing in the U.S. Outsourced jobs have created a new group of unemployed workers. In spite of our government’s trumpeting concerning improved educational resources, I see a regression in overall academic achievement. I am employed in the public education sector and can observe this trend first-hand.

The Bottom Line. - South Africa. What a wonderful country! What interesting people, people about which one wishes to learn more and with whom one wishes to become better acquainted. I have not even scratched the surface, although I have spent quite a lot of time studying your country’s history and geography, there is so much more I intend to learn.
South Africa has some daunting problems on the fronts of the economy and the educational system, as well as pressing societal issues. Crime is also a serious issue which requires far more effort on the government’s part than has been expended thus far. Having said that, I must add that my country has many of the same problems, perhaps of differing magnitudes, but the parallels are certainly there for all to see.
In my limited stay in your country, I departed with far more positive than negative impressions and I have every intention of returning. Bro. Gerrie is right. “What a wonderful country!” It has certainly “infected” me, and I am most grateful!

Thanks Bill for the time and effort you made to give us this. I really appreciate it.

Onto a sad thruth - Leigh Matthews, the 21 year old who was abducted from Bond College in Sandton 13 days ago, was found shot dead in Walkerville near the Vereeniging highway. Of course there's a big outcry about the death penalty that must be re-instated. We know the ANC government will never agree to this. We also know that when (not if) the perpetrators get caught, they will be out in eight. We also know that the police is sitting on many many cases of murder that will probably never be resolved.

The better news is that these guys will be caught. South African forensic experts are amongst the best in the world. And with 50 of these guys assigned to the case, it won't take long. With South Africans' compassion in this case, many leads are received by the police in catching these guys.

We can only give support now to Rob and Sharon in our own way, even if they're just in our thoughts.

The call-center number for any information is 011-497-7343 or 082-568-4668.

Weekly View
	29 July 2004
This week Bill is giving us his honest opinion about this country after his short visit here. Obviously there's more to it but for fear of sounding presumptuous, this is the "lowdown" of it. Bill feels (quite rightly so) that he hasn't spent enough time here to justify any further remarks. Impressions of South Africa I suppose it isn’t really fair for an American citizen to write a synopsis of his visit to South Africa when that visit encompassed only a week; not nearly enough time to have given birth to educated, well informed conclusions. However, this website’s host, my friend and “brother” Gerrie, has expressed an interest in my impressions, and our friendship dictates that I attempt to satisfy his request. May I take just a moment to express our gratitude to Gerrie for taking a day out of his busy schedule, not only to escort us around, but for the most appreciated opportunity of our getting to know him better. He and I have been “internet friends” for some time now, and it was wonderful to have the chance to actually “press the flesh” and have face-to-face dialogue. What a terrific guy! Thanks, my brother! Polly and I are saving your gift of wine to enjoy on our anniversary, July 25. Our week-long visit was for the primary purpose of attending the christening of our beautiful goddaughter. A bit of background is in order. A year ago, a young South African girl from Roodepoort, who had been living and working in Chicago, moved with her fiancee to our southern city. She joined our church and very soon, she, my wife and I became good friends. Unfortunately, when she became pregnant, her “loved one” abandoned her, causing her great emotional distress. We took her into our home, procured the pre-natal and surgical care she needed, then set about raising the funding for air fare and for a financial pad, before returning her to her family in South Africa. During the time she was living with us, we became quite close, both emotionally and spiritually. After returning home, she contacted us, explaining that she had discussed the matter with her family and with their approval, asked if my wife and I would consider accepting the honor of being her daughter’s godparents, once she was born. We were deeply touched by her request and enthusiastically agreed. We are about as far from being wealthy people as one can imagine. When she and her family began asking if we would attend the christening, we knew it was out of the question. However, God has a way of providing when He approves of a particular activity, and in truly miraculous fashion, we were able to fund the trip. Now, to Bro. Gerrie’s request. Mental snapshots: The People of South Africa.- In a word, WONDERFUL! I was so very pleasantly surprised at the good nature, friendliness and helpfulness of everyone with whom we came into contact. This applies not only to our host family, but to people who were employed in a vast array of occupations. Everywhere we ventured we were made to feel genuinely welcome! Garages, butcher shops, greengrocers, clothing stores, restaurants and tourist attractions. Nowhere did we have a less than satisfying experience. Well, I do have to say the American Express employee with whom we conducted business was a bit “stiff,” (LOL!) but other than that……………. The Architecture of the Greater Joburg Area. - Far more interesting and varied than that to which I am accustomed. This opinion encompasses all of the different economic classes of neighborhoods which I either visited, or simply passed through, on the way to another location. The Social Climate. - I did not observe any more “apartness” than that which I normally observe in my own country. I believe this is universal. One thing which made a distinct impression upon me was how polite people were to each other. Customers in places of business were unfailingly courteous to the people who were issuing parking receipts, directing auto traffic and helping with purchases. Homeowners treated their gardeners and household help with deep courtesy and genuine concern. This is to South Africa’s credit. Sad to say that one does not always observe the same level of courtesy in my country. The Economic Climate. - The great disparity between the haves and the have-not's is quite obvious. With something approaching 40 % or more unemployment, this is not surprising. A number of factors have contributed to the current situation. It is obvious that the government of South Africa is not able to adequately address this monumental issue, and that statement is not intended as an indictment of the government. As stated previously, many factors have contributed to the current situation. It may surprise you, but I see a similar, if a bit less epic trend developing in the U.S. Outsourced jobs have created a new group of unemployed workers. In spite of our government’s trumpeting concerning improved educational resources, I see a regression in overall academic achievement. I am employed in the public education sector and can observe this trend first-hand. The Bottom Line. - South Africa. What a wonderful country! What interesting people, people about which one wishes to learn more and with whom one wishes to become better acquainted. I have not even scratched the surface, although I have spent quite a lot of time studying your country’s history and geography, there is so much more I intend to learn. South Africa has some daunting problems on the fronts of the economy and the educational system, as well as pressing societal issues. Crime is also a serious issue which requires far more effort on the government’s part than has been expended thus far. Having said that, I must add that my country has many of the same problems, perhaps of differing magnitudes, but the parallels are certainly there for all to see. In my limited stay in your country, I departed with far more positive than negative impressions and I have every intention of returning. Bro. Gerrie is right. “What a wonderful country!” It has certainly “infected” me, and I am most grateful! Thanks Bill for the time and effort you made to give us this. I really appreciate it. Onto a sad thruth - Leigh Matthews, the 21 year old who was abducted from Bond College in Sandton 13 days ago, was found shot dead in Walkerville near the Vereeniging highway. Of course there's a big outcry about the death penalty that must be re-instated. We know the ANC government will never agree to this. We also know that when (not if) the perpetrators get caught, they will be out in eight. We also know that the police is sitting on many many cases of murder that will probably never be resolved. The better news is that these guys will be caught. South African forensic experts are amongst the best in the world. And with 50 of these guys assigned to the case, it won't take long. With South Africans' compassion in this case, many leads are received by the police in catching these guys. We can only give support now to Rob and Sharon in our own way, even if they're just in our thoughts. The call-center number for any information is 011-497-7343 or 082-568-4668.	Current Views Current Joke Past jokes Gallery Links