Mandella out 20 years ago......simple question...

[R1Geezer]

Is SA any better than it was 20 years ago?

[Gromit]

As we do not live there it is easy to say there is no difference.

I suspect most South Africans would say it is better (but not perfect). The majority of the population can now vote their leaders into power, and only have themselves to blame for the lack of progress. That is preferable to apartheid, were the government were unelected by the majority of the population, who held power by routinely murdering and torturing anyone who got in their way.

[rov1200]

In a few years it will probably resemble Rhodesia (sorry Zimbabe). Kick all the whtes out thinking they can make a better job and show no thanks for the way the country had been improved.

Thats the problem with places like Afghanistan that need improving. We are there trying to help and they shove a grenade up your elbow. When we will ever learn?

[sp1814]

Absolutely.

There's no way that an invading alien culture should be allowed to swamp a country.

I'm sure that the dailymailers would agree with this.

It's their mantra.

[Gladeian]

Is there any so called "republic" in Africa that can govern itself properly i.e. without the allegations of institutional corruption that exists - they cannot transit from properly governed colonies to self governing "republics" in the space of of a few years and operate democratically surely ?

[jake-the-peg]

Yes - there is democracy there now

And it was achieved without a civil war

Unlike India,Ireland,France,Algeria,Spain,....contin
ue
until bored

[VHG]

A country can take a long time to sort itself out.

Look how many internal problems we have had in the UK over the last few hundred years.

Civil war, religious hatred, riots on the streets, border battles between the English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish (which are still ongoing) and so on.

We have had about 2,000 years to try and sort it out, so 20 years is nothing.

At least if they muck it up they can all say they were involved, unlike before when the whites ran the country and the blacks had no say at all.

[modeller]

I know Mandella is an icon but he has hardly shone since leaving jail either as a president nor as an elder statesman. He is reverred by many blacks and his words are listened to, but as an example I don't think he has ever criticised Mugabe or any member of his own government.

[sp1814]

Mandella's condemnation of Mugabe:

http://www.telegraph....es-Robert-Mugabe.html

[Everhelpful]

Johannesburg isn't.!!