Insufficient books and desks, dirty, littered classrooms and unenforced attendance policies create an atmosphere where learning is not taken seriously. Most of the news you heard about South Africa, other than the weather-related problems of this year, relates to the problem of crime. Although this is worst in the cities, it reaches into most regions of the country. We have been fortunate to live in the area with the lowest crime rate, but still were warned not to go out at night on foot. I've been told that driving alone into apparently peaceful rural areas is not safe.
Crime feeds on itself and creates attitudes of acceptance and desperation within the population.
Better economic opportunities would go a long way to alleviate the problem. But economic opportunities are dependent upon investment, and business is leery. As government tries to cut back and privatize, jobs are lost rather than gained. The situation in Zimbabwe has destabilized the economy somewhat. White farmers are worried, but the government says things are under control.