Who would say that the rainbow nation would be such an exciting place to live? And what about other multicultural paradises like Great Britain, France or Sweden that will follow this way very soon? Unfortunately, I am a xenophobic racist from a former Communist country, and since we are so monoculturally boring, we can only envy the exciting multicultural enrichment to you!

Martin, Prague, Czech republic

A Zimbabwe in the making?

Looking at Rhodesia's experience, one wonders what life in South Africa will be like a couple of decades hence.

Michael Grable, SILVER SPRING, MD/USA

To say that current crime levels indicate that "perhaps apartheid was not so bad after all" illustrates the ignorance of white South Africans about apartheid and the impact it had on the psyche of a nation. Yes, crime is a massive problem, as is poverty, unemployment, corruption and a serious skills shortage and lack of capacity to implement measures that can address these issues. Yes, we'd like to see government do more about crime and yes, many in my my close circle of friends and family have fallen victim to violent crime and murder. But many of us - yes, even young, highly skilled, white south africans like myself - have faith in this country and would do anything to see it work - even if it means slowing down at red robots, paying extra for security and avoiding many areas after dark.

JM, Johannesburg, South Africa

On the contrary I "escaped" from the UK. Best decision I have ever made. I was in London 2 weeks ago and the sense of claustrophobia, the increase in violence amongst the teens, the threat of terrorism, the cost of living and value for money made me glad to get back on the plane to Johannesburg. A lot of my friends in the UK are looking at getting out of England for a whole host of reasons. Sure one has to exercise a bit more caution here and it does grate you soemtimes, but my RSA born wife was mugged twice in London and the 2nd time had a knife to her throat in Hyde Park. Swings and Roundabouts. I shan't be going back to England in a hurry.

Happy in RSA, Johannesburg, RSA

As someone who "escaped" from South Africa five years after the new government came to power (we originally stayed full of hope), we now realise that, as do many other citizens of SA that perhaps Apartheid was not so bad after all. Following the collapse of communism in 1989, a gradual change to the country's political structure would have occurred, but like Zimbabwe where Ian Smith forecast what would happen - and it has, I guess that Africa has to go through its 100 to 200 years of chaos before it is like Europe and the USA. Pity though for the citizens of SA who are not on the "gravy train".

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

A suggestion for the whites and middle class blacks of the RSA: Have you ever heard of the Blackwater Mercenaries out of the U.S.? If you hired a team of 5-10 men to patrol your neighborhood I highly doubt any criminals would want to come back if they ever ran into any of those guys. You could film it on camcorders and give it to the cops with a letter entitled "We no longer need your services."

James, Holland, MI

Almost 70% of crime in South Africa are created by the influx of illegals from neighbouring states ( Zimbabwe the main contributor, 2-3 Million Zimbabwians live in South Africa). Citizen have to baricade themselves inside their homes, private security companies are flourishing. South Africa has become a hell hole to live in. Americans have no idea what Africa is like living in. It is easy to pass judgement from the comfort of your homes.

K de la Rey, Germiston, South Africa

This is an accurate report on life in Johannesburg; to survive you adapt and accept the new South Africa or leave. More than half of my friends and colleagues have been victims of violent crime in the past 5 years. The police force is lazy and inept and of little use in the Gauteng region that is truly scary. But remember as a tourist, you are still very unlikely to become a violent crime statistic or be eaten by a wild animal. Many more visitors are involved in road crashes that seldom get publicity.

Hic, Sandton, South Africa