Today has not killed anyone in South Africa
He played write the Kruger National Park,when I returned for the umpteenth time last 24 February, of its tall grasses in the rainy season that cloud everything green, the unexpected encounter again with a leopard in the limits of time, I like what one of the most beautiful places that exist in Africa and who is criticized for tourism, it is, and beauty is denied on the grounds of being accessible. It's like saying the Colosseum, Iguazu Falls or Chichen Itza worth not having too much cement around and too many cars and cameras. Why is there so much concrete, cars and cameras? Another thing is that it is obvious that this removes charm to places, feel the charm of the first last to arrive at that site.
Kruger played about until I received a message from a South African friend told me: "Hi Javier, I have read your article in The World in which you say that South Africa is the most violent country in the world. It is not true, I think you should read this article ... "And he recommended an article in the Huffington Post in which a blogger, Amanda Willard, wondered "why the media are killing the image of South Africa?
Hi Javier, I have read your article in The World in which you say that South Africa is the most violent country in the world. It is not true
Willard's article is flawed in some respects or at least drink from sources other than mine. South Africa, that is what I said, is on the global podium many crime categories. What is, certainly, because in the township violence levels soar. Ie, It is in the ghettos where death ferments in the eyes of victims and executioners. Misery seasoned with alcohol, drugs and fog, that the future is opaque to those born in the back ass of the world.
Yet, there's a part of my friend's comment makes me think. Already wrote in 2011 something like and two years later I'm still in doubt. My work as a correspondent condemns these countries to have killed and scams. I can not, not published, send a notice to be called "a week ago in South Africa do not violate anyone". Nor imagine three columns or cover of the news website explains that "Mozambique's Ministry of Labour is not corrupt", accompanied by a detailed report which reveals that deviated dollar budget for "youth training".
My work as a correspondent condemns these countries to have killed and scams
But, is easily salable and accounting in South Africa are violated daily or fifty women in Mozambique cooperation money is spent on tiling bathrooms official residences. That's my job, the way he understood from siempre a critical aspect. I as a journalist I feel obliged to report what others can not (this is a feeling that there Guild itself). Now, that creates a distorted picture of some places that may seem tiled to the viscera without time or space to contemplate the new hospitals canvas or the markets that are given the words.
Therefore, the trouble is that in the news yet also creates a false, without shades, that generates images hanging from the big headlines. I remember in 2011 I was called to interview for a program of Punto Radio. After talking for almost an hour from South Africa I questioned the safety of a solo trip. I said that South Africa was an easy country to travel alone. You can rent a car, get around and you just have to have some view of where you get, and in all places where there is asphalt after shoulder, no hunger. "He has a reputation as dangerous, but not both. They are more general figures than a palpable reality. Deaths occur at specific sites. Of course there is special care to tread, but without being afraid that's all. A year and a half me I have not spent. The South Africans are lovely ", concluded.
We must have some view of where you get, and in all places where there is asphalt after shoulder, no hunger
Then, cut and the next day I sent the link to hear the interview. Out of curiosity I kept hearing after finishing my speech and I heard a French accent guest, I remember that, said: "Javier speaks as an adventurer, but it is true what they say. I have a friend who has been in Johannesburg and explained that you can not leave the hotel or shopping centers. There robbery and shooting. Nobody moves to South Africa without protection and I feel obliged to recommend to our listeners who do not ". Been to South Africa?, the interviewer asked the Spanish-French. "One night for a stopover on a flight in Johannesburg", he replied, "But my friend has been there several times".
Who knows, perhaps the French friend is right or maybe I have to start sending more proposals that talk again today have many more people than was stolen in South Africa helped to? Something I certify that each day passes overwhelmingly in favor of the good. World, in any corner, with a world of difference, There are many more good than bad.
PD. The photo is taken in Pilgrim's Rest, at the gas station was prettier than ever. Another post pending
Comments (9)
Olga
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I'm going to have to stop reading this story to my mother (tu fan), to see if it makes more attention to you than to me. Many reason, Java! It's just a game of reality and perspective. It depends on what the photo frame, it will be a part of the truth. The question is whether what is left out is the norm or the exception. The two-day tourists probably insist on focusing the misery, terror and violence; a traveler surely see beyond. And a correspondent, probably sees everything, and though his job requires him to have it bad for newsworthy, why not take the part for the whole and shows that the country is violent and dangerous, without shades. I said, today I took my mother!
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JC
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Good news no news, already said Bushel
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First Travel
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South Africa is a fascinating and contradictory. As many. As, actually, everyone; or almost. Who communicates has the responsibility to do so with an open mind, even when the topic is addressed in each particular occasion. We Speak, generally, the goodness of the world but that does not obviate the harsh realities that often lie behind. When we travel, because only we seek them with a canvas full of degraded we can better understand where we are and take more, Site, of the people you know, of ourselves. But who reads also has an exercise of outstanding liability: to contrast, to seek all views, the understanding that no country is hell or heaven. Spend with South Africa and Mexico and, now, with Spain. We complained about the image given to us in certain international media and a majority are still unable to find the balance and restraint in relation to other countries and the data that they give the media.
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Jordi Casinos
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Xavier, muchas gracias por poner de relieve la batalla del «tercer» mundo con los departamentos editoriales de noticias. For some time I wonder how much inertia that the BBC's editorial trend during Apartheid is now influencing the international media opinion on South Africa.
I have the pleasure of working with destiny Southern Africa and South Africa have traveled and lived repeatedly. Share fully tu opinion. As Olga says, I think something between the traveler and the correspondent, with good friends at home, and I think with a little common sense South Africa is the best country in the world to live and grow. Siempre teniendo en cuenta tus sabias palabras «tras el asfalto no hay arcén, hay hambre.» Aunque ¿quién puede NO darse cuenta de la gente caminando por los arcenes, the townships and Poverty?
I have had the opportunity to live in the U.S. and UK for years, and where I heard the first shots first and the second where youth groups attacked tourists and police friends with impunity. Did I feared for my safety in South Africa? Ever since, but walk in Kempton Park near the airport is nothing compared ORTIA to take the wrong turn toward LAX and end up in Inglewood, and the armed guard who was overly friendly on the highway I had no point of comparison with the 5 policías que nos detuvieron fuera de un bar en Ciudad de México porque uno de nosotros estaba «bebiendo» en la calzada (after telling them I was a journalist-lying- let him go).
I suffer for the journalistic profession. Hoy en día parece que telediarios y periódicos no son más que espacios entre anuncios y para llamar la atención y enganchar al público objetivo de los «sponsors», have to keep the reader / viewer engaged with alarming headlines sensationalism.
The good governance in Botswana international news overshadowed by European royalty and little hunting elephants when more than one country of the old continent should learn from small economies.
Espero con impaciencia el día en que pueda leer tu titular «en Sudáfrica hace una semana que no violan a nadie» y eso, is of general interest.
A greeting and I hope to have the opportunity to meet personally in the Mainland.
Jordi
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Jordi Casinos
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Is the speed and simplicity requiring media reality seems undermine. If it is true that in countries like Liechtenstein and Luxembourg most people share the same reality. For the rest of the world there are parallel universes in the same space. Neither one is better or the other is worse, simply parallel, Earth year 2100 and Planet Earth year 1500 sharing the same space, at the same time. Simple is doing half and demand it, it makes sense to see how 2100 can help 1500 a avanzar 500 years 50.
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Ricardo Coarasa
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You're right, Xavier. I know of your love for South Africa and have never seen in you a look alarmist, not complacent, the country. That perspective to which he refers is the key Olga, what happens sometimes too lazy to waste time moving away and looking at life through the angular. Many travelers to confirm their prejudices. A minority of you are willing to replanteárselos. I am among those who think, as deci think Balzac, that if we could not change my mind our opinions would be our tyrants. Something similar tried to explain here about another city also stigmatized where I felt comfortable and I miss (without either idealizing): Mexico City: https://www.viajesalpasado.com/en-defensa-de-mexico-df/
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Juan Antonio Portillo
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There comes to mind the comment that this morning has made the phrase that hung on fb about the history of the river from the end of the book of Siddharta: «Siempre es el mismo, todo el mundo lo ve como algo unitario y con un nombre».
Also this phrase can be applied to countless minds routinely accommodated in existence that produces live security following a path already trodden. Minds that have buried undiscovered concern themselves, to savor the true living reality of each place.
Creo que la mayoría de ciudades del mundo tienen sus zonas conflictivas o «peligrosas» pero no por ello hay que juzgarlas o etiquetarlas. Like most have their cases of corruption at different scales. Do not go to Africa to live the reality of corruption palpating, breathing it and living with it here in Spain. Or to feel the handling of the information that we provided through the media.
I liked the article, and especially the title. As always, Javier hug!!!!
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Javier Brandoli
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The complicated issue of journalism. We have the world and the world, believe, only interested in the darker side. Which may be true, that readers have their share of blame big. Now when I was in Spain I was surprised one day when I saw a television news to sports that were not good news. Not a!!! Nothing happened on that day worthy to explain and it had relevance to the public? They inertia, perhaps, editors easy. Do not know if like Jordi says South Africa is the best country to grow. I love South Africa, but do not think a site that when night falls do not see anyone on the street outside the place I would choose to grow a child. So that conveys, the gap, by the loss of some freedom. It's a personal opinion like yours. Now, between being Disneyworld and be a place where you stick shots to get off a plane, is clearly closer to the first. I was happy and I'm happy every time I go there, which is far from neighboring Mozambique where I live now. In South Africa I can only thank you. No one called, do not need me and welcomed me with open arms to give me a year of my life exciting.
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Juan Antonio Portillo
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Good morning.
I agree with Javier. Most people are hooked to news dark, to disasters and calamities information, the junk programs. The why of these tastes? The answers would be infinite and abundant thesis but this is not the place to raise them, I.
He optado por no encender la «caja tonta» a no ser para ver algún programa de la 2 documentary. Many times I ask myself the same question you: » ¿no hay noticias buenas, hopeful?.
…. at least we get pages like this…… Hugs
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