Common Misconceptions about South Africa and the Truth Behind Them
South Africa is a great country, and perhaps, one of the most economically successful countries in the African continent. From its diverse culture to fascinating wildlife, this country is teeming with life. You will feel excited to finally visit South Africa. Unfortunately, those who are yet to see its beauty have misconceptions about the country. It could be a result of what they have read, or biases towards African countries. These are some misconceptions and the truth behind them.
South Africa has an entirely black population
South Africans still get shocked when asked why they’re white. Most people think that South Africa is an entirely black nation just like most of the continent. Although a majority of the country is black, white people make up 8.4% of the population. After the apartheid, the country has become more accepting of diverse cultures and races.
African is a language
Some people ask South Africans if they can speak African. They don’t, and no one does. African is not a language, but a group of people. When referring to the language, the country has 11 official languages. English is the first or second language taught at school. Most of the citizens are bilingual too.
South Africa is a continent
When referring to the continent, it’s called Africa. The country is called South Africa, and it is in the African continent. Most people get these concepts wrong. It’s an important distinction because although South Africa is perhaps the most popular country in the continent, there are 54 other nations in it.
Lions eat people
Apart from the idea that lions eat people, there are lots of other misconceptions about South Africa and its wildlife. The truth is that the country has a rich wildlife reserve. It’s also home to some of the most unique animal species. Some of them are kept in captivity. Getting eaten by lions shouldn’t be your primary concern when visiting the country. Among animals, hippos and crocodiles have a higher record of killing humans.
South Africans live in a hut
It’s unfortunate that when people think about the African continent, they associate it with poverty. It could also be the reason why people think that regular South Africans still live in a hut. The country is now sophisticated and one of the most technologically advanced in the world. The problem is that poverty remains an issue especially in far-flung areas. The middle class also continues to struggle. They keep working hard to meet the needs of their families, while those on the top are doing extremely well.
South Africa also has struggles just like any other country in the world, but it’s unfairly judged by most people. Hence, most South Africans find it ridiculous each time they get asked about these things. If you want to know the country better and forget your biases, you have to organize a trip there. You will then realize that it has a lot to offer, and is worth your time.
Photo Attribution:
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2nd image from https://www.aardvarkcompare.com/blog/south-africa-travel-health-insurance/
