I have a South African friend, who now lives in England. Whilst working together she shared with me a number of horror stories about the unbelievable crime and murder problem there. South Africans are leaving the country in droves to find a better life. They are cashing in and selling everything to start their life somewhere else. She recently sent me this URL where the horrible state of affairs there are being reported amid censorship from the SA government. Check it out.
www.censorbugbear.com
Well, Darrell, since your post in 2000, things only went from bad to worse. They don't call Africa "The Dark Continent" for nothing. As you pointed out, there's not much hope to be found there. If one had to live in Africa, I think all you could do is hold your breath and pray to get through each day.