[Bahbah]

No, but the country has always interested me. I read "Cry the Beloved Country" and "Too Late the Phalarope"years ago, have read lots about the Boer Wars and not too long ago read a book called "The Smell of Apples" and another very interesting novel of more contemporary times the name of which escapes me. It's a fascinating place but I fear it is lost.

[Cuttnhorse]

Novels are a good way to learn something of the country; however, I recommend, The Africans by David Lamb. It's a little dated as Lamb was a reporter in Africa in the '80s, but NOTHING has changed. Lamb traces the history of African countries from independence and does a great job with wit and humor.
His biggest error in judgement was predicting that Zimbabwe would be the model for black rule in post colonial Africa. Maybe someday.

[Constitution Day]

My wife was born in SA. She got her US citizenship in 1997.

We last visited in November 1999 and spent a month there.
We were able to go to Kruger National Park, Cape Town, Hermanus & the wine country, among other places.

It's an amazingly beautiful country, but incredibly dangerous as well.
I believe it has the highest murder rate in the world.
Rapes, carjackings, beatings, etc., are very common.

That having been said, I never once felt as though we were in danger during the whole time we were there, even in and around Johannesburg.
My sister- and brother-in-law live there and were with us for the whole month.
I guess that just like some areas here in the US, knowing where NOT to go is crucial.

The Boer War is something I don't know a whole lot about.
We did see some places out in the Transvaal (now called "Mpumalanga") where battles were fought, and saw a replica of the "Long Tom" cannon.

Regarding books on South Africa, have you read Jock of the Bushveld?
It's kind of a "man and his dog" book, and written in the late 1800's or early 1900's, but a good read nonetheless.

Finally, let me say that, regardless of what others say, not ALL the black South Africans are bad people.
Some of the kindest people we met were out in the very rural areas.
Yes, there are some real monsters there, as evidenced by this thread, but to lump them all in the same group is just silly.

It is probably "lost", as you say, unless the country shapes up fast.
Judging from the past history of the ANC, this is quite unlikely.