Why do people Think south Africa is a jungle?

Show all answers

Rocky K

I am an American, But have lived in S.A. for a little over 5 years about 20 years ago. I have been from Cape Town to Kenya, and everywhere in Between. I can tell you why people here think that. It's because the majority of television here portrays ALL of Africa as having Lions, Elephants, and all types of wild beasts in every square inch of the continent. The news, CNN, and other major networks as such Do-Not portray the nation that way. For instance, I know all about the thieves called ESKOM over there, and how they have drove South Africa to the brink of economic collapse, And how Power is being cut down in usage as much as 4 or 5 hours a day in some areas. But allot of people in the States do not watch the news such as CNN and others. They just go by what they see on the television every-day. Movies portraying Africa as a place where Lion's will jump through your window, as you sit down for supper and maul the entire family, lol. It's televised brain-washing is what it is. There are allot of people who do know the difference here, But I would have to say more than half do not, and thats a shame. An excellent example of what I am talking about is "Brandon's" answer here. He says his teacher told him South Africa is a jungle, But he knows it is a desert! See what I mean? At least Brandon was smart enough to know his mistake, and say he was not good at geography. No-offense meant Brandon, Just pointing out how people see South Africa is all. I am not insinuating anything about your intelligence whatsoever. It's just an example of what you were taught, and what you were taught was wrong. At least you realize it, and admit your not to good at geography. Nothing wrong with that at all. I am not good at allot of things, But that does not make me any less intelligent, see what I mean? But anyways, back to what I was saying, I blame the ignorance on todays youth watching, and being brain-washed by todays television portraying places in very wrong ways, and having people believe it. I mean after all, if it is on the television, it HAS to be the truth right! It's a shame when someone bases their education or intellect on what they have heard or learned on the "Idiot-Box" as I call it, another name for "Television". Thats the way I see it anyways. Hope this answered your question. Take Care, :) and God Bless.

conservation chris

No South Africa is just run by the ' Law of the Jungle.'
maybe this will clear things up a bit
Yes but don' forget these people overseas have been pumped full of so much craap about SA by their governments for so long the only things they have ever seen are sqatter camps, squallor and wild life, the people here think that we eat our children, metaphorically speaking, just understand them and show them the truth they are the ones that will be surprised.

Skyli

I am from Zimbabwe and when I moved over to the UK they all asked did I live in a hut and if I'm from Africa why am I white!!? haha!! Ag man!! Gosh I laugh at these people!

E14

LOL. I thought that to and my parents are from Africa. I was born in the UK. And when I went to Africa I thought I would be seeing lions walking the street side by side with people. I was dissapointed when I got there and asked my parents and to my amazment they said they have never seen a lion elephant or those animals you see on TV in their lifetime not one person I met in Africa had! Its the media they try soo hard to make Africa look backwards and it works. Also I see as many tramps as I see on the streets of London most people there are greedy most own vast land and can grow what they want even have time to grow lots of weed its just the infustructures poor its really just a lazy government whos holding all the money otherwise Africa is the same as any where else. I didnt see any dying people on the floor by the way or flies on people face.

Pammie

This is why everyone thinks SA is a jungle.

Link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRv6S2vnq60

Commodore

Beedodds, I,m in USA and I don't even bother answering their questions anymore. I,m beyond being shocked or surprised anymore! That's the USA for you!

Hey Tashana, where have you been? How's uncle Garry? LOL!!!

~Amber~

I don't think South Africa is a jungle, however I do know that the Amazon is a jungle. Cape Town sounds like a very modern place in Africa(if not the only next to Cairo & Alexandria in Egypt, lol). Dissing Americans does not make you come off any brighter my dear... :P

Dragonfly Girl

I live in America and I have never thought that. We're not ALL uneducated morons. I also know that lions do not dwell in jungles.

Greatgrandmother

Funny thing, I thought ALL Eskimos lived in igloos and wore seal skin clothes, up until I went to senior school, when I was eleven.

I honestly think that the majority of people are educated -- thanks also to the internet --to the extent of knowing, more about the world today, than when I was a small girl.

We all love to pull each others leg about any country from which we don't live in...this doesn't mean we believe in what we say.

Driver T

Do they?
I think you are generalising by stating people think SA is a jungle.
However, if you dangle your leg in the pit of modern human nature, people are bound to pull it.
Take a breath and regard every Jungle dreamer as a humourist, leg puller, or someone just trying to extract the Michael (take the mickey).
Also, learn to laugh at yourself, and start giving what you are getting.

Life in general, can be a jungle - for anyone, any where.

Dozzie

Im a South African living in the uk and believe me its not just the Americans, Here they ask stupid questions too like if you are from South Africa why are you not black or do you cook your food before eating it, Do you have microwaves tv's ovens fridges or even electricity at first i thought they were pulling my leg but they are just clueless as to what SA is realy like!!! A south African preformed the first open heart surgery right here in South Africa, We were even 3rd after America and Rhodesia to have coulerd televisions, And yes we do go to school!!!

cluelesssgoddess

I don't think it is a jungle. Same thing people think of my country. Most people are ignorant. Plus lions live in the savannah not the jungle despite what we watch on tarzan.

cjid84

Probably the same reason people think kangaroos hop down the main streets in Aussie, they are all uneducated cretins

umwtfmate

I live in America and I know south africa isn't a jungle. I read a book about it once called "Waiting for the Rain". It was a horrible book though. Incredibly boring.

Brandon T

We do have an education, but not a very good one. i distinctly remember in school teachers telling me that South Africa was a jungle. But I now know t is a desert, I think. i suck at geography.

Commander MJ

Ah Americans in Africa.... yes I know what you mean, they practically expect Johnny Weissmuller to be swinging through your garden and the drums to be beating at night..........

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: