South Africa, prepping in South Africa and Sout African preppers.

[thedigininja]

South Africa tries to portray itself as this wonderful melting pot of cultures but the truth is that it's not. It's actually more like a pressure cooker that's run dry and waiting to pop. There are too many people with too many cultures sucking up too few resources. We are well known for the racial tension that has existed here since the arrival of the European settlers but it's really not as simple as black on white ( although there's a lot of that ). In a sense it's civil war. The Afrikaans people ( Dutch descendants ) hate everyone, regardless of race. The indigenous people fight off the immigrants from the rest of Africa. The systematic genocide of our farmers enticed by members of certain political parties and then the English speakers and all the other races are stuck in the middle trying to find a spot for themselves. 

We are a warring nation. From before the settlers arrived until the early 90s there was constant warfare within and around our borders. The only thing that has changed in the last 20 odd years is that it's not open warfare anymore, it's all done under the radar.

That is probably why survival and prepping isn't really focused on or identified in our country. It's not something that most of us plan for, it's something that is bred into us. (With the possible exception of the most recent generation) Most of us are raised with a number of survival skills because it's always in the back of everybody's mind that the shit could hit the fan at any minute. Even in my household (growing up in an upper middle class suburban home) we were taught to defend ourselves and to go on the offensive if need be. With a frequently failing infrastructure everyone is accustomed to storing water, making do without electricity for extended periods, having at least a few days storage of food and some kind of security.

With that said there are also the extremists with completely segregated, paramilitary communities and those of us who, although we are functioning members of civilian life, go a little bit further ensuring that we have the means to survive or escape should it all go to hell.

South African preppers have a number of difficulties that we face, as I'm sure is the case everywhere.
Having one of the highest rates of unemployment and expenses raising almost daily many of us struggle just to make it from day to day let alone stockpile supplies and with crime being what it is you can never be sure that what you stockpiled will still be there when you get home. Gun control makes it ridiculously difficult and expensive to build up a reserve of weapons.

Most people you speak to wouldn't be surprised if the shit hit the fan here. With tensions being high and constantly being aggravated by politicians and community leaders it's most often left to the public to put out the fires.

Sorry for the long post but I didn't even get to a number of the points that I could have made.

[rah45]

Digi, we love long, informative posts. Please continue! :-)

[Burt Gummer]

Oh please keep going... this type of context isn't available to us here in the US. 

[thedigininja]

I think a lot of what plagues us is global. A failing economy, over population, a horribly corrupt political system. But on the topic of politics and politicians I have to say that our president is probably the world's greatest prepper. While more than half of his public is living below the poverty line he has built himself a R24billion, heavily fortified, completely self sustainable compound for himself, his 10 wifes and all their children and all their personal guards.

[APX808]

LOL is easy to prep with others people money... The Argentinian presidential couple multiplied their fortune 1000 times in the 10 years they have been "governing" this country. Governing between quotes because is a disaster what they did.

[JohnyMac]

As has been posted, great start thedigininja!

IMO, we here in America are actually fighting a "Civil War" of words not unlike what South Africa is fighting and you allude to. This is why (wrong or right) I try to extend my hand across all sides of the debate. In the USofA we may not be down the road of the civil war of words as South Africa; however, we as a civilization are quicker to grab for firearms and react. I suspect the SHTF will happen here sooner than later.

[thedigininja]

Once again I am posting in the dark and we have received warning that it will only be getting worse to the extent that if it isn't managed properly we will be plunged into complete darkness on a national level for a number of weeks. What we are currently experiencing could just be temporary or it could be the beginning of the end for us. Already we have seen an increase in crime with the syndicates having the schedules for the power cuts they lay in wait for the cover of darkness and others, less organised, merely being opportunistic. Panic has already begun, as I mentioned on a different thread many common preps are becoming hard to come by, alternative power sources being at the top of the list. As we head into a new week we all sit with baited breath to see what awaits us so if I become silent know that we have lost contact and are possibly preparing to grab our BoBs or hold the Alamo 'til the end.

[JohnyMac]

Holy crap thedigininja! Our prayers are with you.

This is where short wave communication either via morse code and/or voice is so important for us all.

[thedigininja]

Communication is a field where I am completely at a loss. However, it has been on our minds and come what may we will be spending the holidays at our BOL with my uncle who was a comms specialist and spent his civilian life in broadcasting so learning what he knows about shortwave and seeing what we can set up is definitely on the cards.

[Nemo]

Other than shipping you things we would be locked up for a long time for shipping, any assistance we could offer?

Do you have ham radio capabilities?  I know some here do so keeping us a bit posted would be truly appreciated if possible.

Nemo

[JohnyMac]

Remeber, you can build a AR from scratch starting with a 80% lower.

[thedigininja]

Even if you tried to ship something, Nemo, it would most likely just be tossed on the endless pile of undelivered parcels that has been accumulating since our postal service folded.

No HAM yet, unfortunately. Definitely something that we need to invest in. I'm completely retarded when it comes to ham/shortwave radio but I know like any radio communication it works by connecting on frequencies (this is the extent of my understanding). It might be worthwhile to set up a "network" if any of the UP guys are using ham.

I actually wonder what the implications would be behind buying AR parts and keeping it unassembled, Jmac.

[thedigininja]

The power cuts seem to have calmed down for now but it has been suggested that this is just because December and early January are our main tourist season which would mean that the power stations are actually running at a higher capacity than what we should expect from them, leading to even more damage than they've already suffered.

[Deimos]

Hi guys, also from SA been searching the net to see if anyone in SA was prepping and found this site. I agree with Digi lol next year when everyone comes back from holidays and the power usage goes up again will be very interesting to see what happens. JohnnyMac the 80% receiver here doesnt work that great parts are a pain to get but the biggest hurdle is the barrel, you cant just get one without applying for it which is abit difficult. I have heard rumors that next year the government wants to make getting a semi auto rifle even more difficult they want you to belong to an association for min 3 years even if you have dedicated status before you can apply for a semi auto rifle. kind of sucks as the prices of these rifles are damn expensive here and i was hopping to get something better than a norinco. Will have to cope with my glock and roni for now 

[JohnyMac]

Welcome Deimos!

Why does the "powers to be" do not want folks to own a semi auto? Is it because they fear that it may get stolen and then fall into the general citizenry ranks?

Don't for get to intro yourself on the intro board ;-)

[Burt Gummer]

Welcome aboard.

[Kbop]

Howdy and Welcome!

[Deimos]

Our gun laws have changed drastically since the Apartheid days, before you could a firearm license in a few days im talking 15 to 20 years ago. Now a days it it takes about 2 months. For the guys that dont know in South Africa you are allowed 1 firearm for self defense either a handgun or a shotgun but if you choose a shotgun then obviously thats for home defense, you not going to go do your shopping with it slung over your shoulder lol. So 1 handgun for selfdefense then 1 shotgun and 2 rifles. If you join a club which is not very difficult you can get a dedicated status 1 for hunting and 1 for sport shooting then you can apply for how ever many firearms your heart desires the problem comes in that they still have to approve it and you need to motivate the need for that firearm really well. Johnny if any of your firearms intended for hunting or sport shooting gets used for self defense boy oh boy are you going to have some major answering to do. There is no such thing as having an AR for selfdense lol and to answer your question they are worried about your semi auto getting into the wrong hand the funny thing is that the people that own these for sportshooting rarely have their weapons stolen yet the criminals get their hands on semi autos anyway

[thedigininja]

Ahoy, Deimos. Glad to have another Saffer aboard. Where about are you from, if I may ask.

[JohnyMac]

Bummer Deimos. 

Thanks for the explanation.

[Deimos]

Hi Digi

I live in the South of Joburg.

[thedigininja]

Ah. I'm also Jozi born n bred but set up camp in the Cape a few years back. If I'm gonna be in this country it's going to be in a DA province.

[Deimos]

Yip you lucky the Cape is really cool, my wife has some family in Greyton very nice quite place.

[thedigininja]

Not far from our BOL. Great location for building a sustainable lifestyle.

[Deimos]

Got a few questions for you guys hope its ok if i ask it here. First let me start by giving you guys some info on myself maybe it will help to answer some questions. I have recently become a dad of a little girl and watching some doomsday preppers with the situation of our country got me thinking on how to keep my family safe. Im 31 years old weighing 110kg not fat lol, i have experience in martial arts and boxing so i can take care of myself in hand to hand combat not  to brag. I am in good shape but havent been working out for the last few months as we have been getting our house sorted out for the baby. I have allways been interested in guns i guess it comes from my family allways being armed. I can shoot relatively well with my glock need to practice more at speed shooting so joining the steel challenge this year to see if i can get some tips and practice. With my 30-06 which i reload for it i can shoot easily at 300 meters havent been to any range to shoot further but want to try its fun. The firearms i own are smith and wesson 357 mag , smith and wesson 38special snub nose, remington 1911, berreta 71 22lr , mossberg 500 pumpaction, berreta A301 its the old 4 shot semi auto, Stevens 12 gauge single barrel, glock 26, ruger american 30-06.
The ammo i currently own now dont laugh its not much i have only just started 1500 rounds 22lr, 300 rounds 9mm, i have 300 rounds of 9mm not reloaded, 100 rounds 357mag, 100 rounds 38special, about 500 rounds of not loaded 30-06(no time to reload recently) 60 rounds buckshot, 30 rounds slugs, 1000 rounds clay shooting not sure the size, .45 zip just bought the gun. I have also convinced my wife to start shooting with me and got her a .22lr lama pistol not great i know but she is tiny and doesnt like the recoil on my glock. Now i am not worried about tornados we dont have any here or tsunamis i live inland so not a problem or even volcanoes. My concern is like Digi that the current state of our country is not looking good and we have been having many power cuts. Im concerned that next this year the power cuts gets worse and the grid goes down.

Without mentioning all of my supplies i have a gas stove in case of emergency, torches led battery operated lights, candles, camping equipment. Have a swimming pool so water is sorted lol.

So here goes