My Opinion - I am no expert on South Africa but I have been there and discussed the issues with locals and have "some" insight. The RSA government has been a majority controlled gov't since Nelson Mandella took over and has shifted toward the Socialist end of the spectrum more and more over the last 15-20yrs. Blacks are the overwhelming majority with Whites making up only about 10% of the population.
Some there believe that the federal leadership is driving the country in the direction of eventual collapse. Maybe, this is true? I dunno. Joburg looks very prosperous to me. More like Beverly Hills than not.
As in most countries, there are haves and have nots. There are hard working black and white businessmen & women and professionals and there are shiftless, no-accounts who depend on gov't programs to get by from all races. But, many of the most successful businesses are owned and operated by whites and some of the blacks resent this fact. There is an undercurrent of racial tension that is thick and present most of the time. But, as in most countries, if you take the time to meet and understand individuals, you will find that people are people everywhere and most want the same things. A peaceful, prosperous life.
In the rural parts of the country, I felt quite safe. In Joburg, I mostly felt safe but it is like most large US cities, in that there are more poor, people who are willing to lie, cheat or steal to get by and they do not like YOU. I would rather go to Joburg than to Chicago or Atlanta. I found the hard working blacks in Africa to be courteous and helpful and friendly to me. Not so much in Atlanta, and I simply do not go to Chicago. Just saying.
I would look at the history of Africa. It was populated by tribal civilizations who were used to being ruled by a chief or king and who ruled with a significant level of ruthless violence. The stronger tribes like the Zulus would invade the weaker tribes and wipe out the men and boys and enslave the females. A "Might makes Right" mentality existed and is still somewhat rooted in the leaders of today. By the way, this is not limited to only Africa.
If you vote Socialists into power, they are hard to root out and do not mind using their power to keep power at all costs. They have a firm hold on RSA at the moment. It is not the communist utopia that Zimbabwe has become but they are taxing the capitalists and spending the money to take care of the non-tax paying class of citizens. As the later grow in numbers, it becomes more and more difficult to tax the hard working minority enough to sustain the farce. Sooner or later you reach a tipping point where things start to collapse. I do not think our friends at SA are there, yet...
