Is South Africa for tourists?
2006-07-25 15:24
Dear Editor,
Together with a few American friends, I was a guest at Le Petit Chateau in Durbanville the week before Renate Kellerman's death.
We are all devastated by the brutal murder of this talented, hard-working, dedicated young woman.
She received her guests with open arms, a log fire burning, a glass of sherry, and chocolates and fruit in the bedroom.
I would like to pay tribute to a gracious hostess, a fine lady, a wonderful mother, and a good friend.
At the same time, I am angry that a person with such poor credentials could be booked into such a fine establishment.
In addition to being a personal tragedy, it is yet another blow to tourism.
South Africans, wake up - with a world soccer event on the cards, the eyes of the world are on you.
The crime rate is NOT acceptable.
Tourism is not encouraged when seeing signs like "highjacking hot spot" along the N1, when one has to take back roads to avoid stoning on the N2 and R300 to get to the international airport, when one has to go through security check points to book into guest houses behind bars, and when one gets mugged at the ATM.
My American friends loved South Africa, but having been touched by Renate's death, will they feel comfortable recommending it as a tourist destination?
Elsa Dixon
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