Cheryl Potgieter

Crime and tourism in South Africa.

Abstract The trepidation over tourism and crime has emerged as a global issue, gaining prominence in the media and political debates. South Africa is often viewed as the crime capital of the world and while crime rates in specific types of crime are decreasing or stabilising, there continues to be an upward trend in many types of crimes. Examining issues pertaining to crime and tourism is important since effective crime prevention and changing negative perceptions can contribute significantly to economic growth by promoting investments and tourism. Furthermore, this can have a positive impact on residents’ quality of life since low crime levels are one of the global indicators of social stability and integration. This article uses relevant literature as well as data from South African Tourism (SAT) on tourists’ perceptions and attitudes toward crime and satisfaction with security in the country, the South African Police Services (SAPS) data on crime rates and resident perception findings on crime and tourism. The study underscores that tourists and locals perceive South Africa as having high levels of crime. Crime remains an important consideration in relation to tourism in South Africa and requires an interdisciplinary and critical theoretical and methodological approach to examine multi-faceted and complex economic, social, political and spatial aspects. It is critical that actual as well as perceptions of crime and security are addressed in relation to different stakeholders such as locals, tourists and the tourism industry. This needs to be part of broader strategies that incorporate risk and safety.

The imagined future for gays and lesbians in South Africa: Is this it?

this edition of Agenda. I am both honoured and extremely excited to be involved in the first-ever journal publication on the African continent which focuses specifically on homosexuality in Africa.The excitement also masked a particular tension about my legitimacy to hold the space that I do in this edition. It is the same tension I had when completing my doctorate. I do not self-identify currently as lesbian but I am comfortable to be constructed as bisexual. I agree with Msimang (2002:54) who states that ‘an interrogation of where feminists sit in relation to their research is long overdue’. Reflecting on my space is thus to put the latter belief into practise.The writing of this piece also brought to the fore memories of my days as a political activist. This led me to identify with the foreword to a book written by Albie Sachs (2003) that influenced the title of this piece. I return to the latter in the following sections.

Mega-events and tourism impacts : foreign visitor perceptions of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Abstract There are several impacts of hosting events that relate to economic and social development aspects. South Africa has used sport tourism to promote the country as a major sports events destination. Research on mega-events tends to focus on economic impacts, including tourism effects. Very few, however, examine visitor perceptions of the event to establish experiences and concerns. This article examines the positive and negative relationships between tourism and the hosting of mega-events with a special focus on the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Africa’s first mega-event. Additionally, visitor perceptions derived from interviews undertaken with 4 814 foreign tourists during the World Cup are examined. The results reveal that foreign visitors generally enjoyed their stay in South Africa and perceived the country as a good tourism destination. The article concludes that tourism outcomes related to the hosting of mega-events need to be planned, particularly if more widespread benefits are to be realised within the tourism industry and in local communities. In particular, the positive experiences and images of South Africa as a result of the World Cup should be integrated into an appropriate destination marketing strategy.

“Don't touch me on my psychology and religion!” Feminist backlash in a wearable cloak and different voice

abstract In this article it is argued that feminist successes in South Africa are being ‘overshadowed’ by movements which are essentially anti-feminist and brazenly patriarchal, but which go unchallenged because these movements are protected by the freedom of religion clause in the Constitution. Further, these movements and the messages they preach are drawing large numbers of educated men and women of all ages under the guise of what Nadar (2009) has labelled Palatable Patriarchy and what Nadar and Potgieter (2010) have labelled Formenism. This article draws on the online advice column run by Gretha Wiid (one of many ‘services’ offered by her) as material for a feminist rhetorical discursive textual analysis, and illustrates how these growing movements are challenging and negating feminist successes with very little (if any) challenge from feminist intellectuals, feminist organisations and especially the State. Two rhetorical discourses emanating from the movement are identified—termed psychologisation and pastoralisation. These movements are offering a space whereby everyday challenges (bankruptcy, global economic crisis, unemployment, marriage problems, crime) of persons from a range of backgrounds are being addressed in “ways” and by people who they identify with and aspire to. In conclusion the article engages with how feminists could respond to these challenges.

Sexuality too narrow to fit

LINZI FREDMAN and CHERYL POTGIETER advocate the recognition of a child sexuality that is natural and positive and that takes into account the power adults have over children, men over women and heterosexuals over homosexuals