FIFO in africa

[HART]

DH has just been offered a job in South Africa, 8 weeks on 4 weeks home... I was just wondering if anyone has a DH that has done this? I am used to the whole FIFO lifestyle and we did do a couple of 5 weeks away last year and i coped fine but just wanted someone to shed some light on the whole Africa thing. I am so used to talking to him at least once a day and not sure how the whole communication thing will work over there with the time difference and such.

[Bell & Bug]

Where in Australia are you?
I can't really help with the fifo part, bit I'm from south Africa and keep close contact with friends over there, so could maybe help with other things?

[pegasus]

It's not my partner who did the FIFO to a different country - My dad's just returned from his second stint doing FIFO to Nigeria. (Different to SA - they have to have armed guards wherever they go in Nigeria), but we communicated over Skype.

Just had to get used to the time difference.

[zombiekitty]

I would be more worried about safety.

[MicE]

I'm south African and I can tell you not to be too worried. Yes violence is a problem but depending in where he is he should be fine. A lot of bad things happen in the townships. The company that sent him probably have him in a serviced apartments which are high security. You are welcome to pm where he is and staying and I can let you know. We have only just moved so are still in touch with what's happening. Seriously you shouldn't worry to much. SA is stunning and if you get the chance go with him. Fear should not be an issue.
Where we lived (in a building that had serviced apartments) we met lots of FIFO from all over the world and we ask them what they think and they all say the love it and don't want to leave. These are guys that worked for big multi nationals like IBM, Lloyds of London, Rio Tinto etc. Things in the public domain make things sound worse then they are.
Again south Africa is violent but the percentage of crime on white people and tourists is small compared to the crime on black.
I lived in SA my whole life. I never had a home invasion. We were in Aus for 2 weeks and had a break in. The neighborhood we stay in has NEVER had a break in. Just goes to show you.
Any way you are welcome to pick my brain to put your mind at ease a bit.

[zombiekitty]

I know a few people from S/Africa and they all felt unsafe there hence why they are here. One is a refugee. I don't think the danger should be understated.

[MicE]

I don't want to down play the danger but that's not why we left. Companies that send their guys over really take good care of them and put them in good areas. What I am trying to say is that if you are going to stress for the whole time he is away he is going to be a nervous wreck. Also for all those who have left their are thousands that haven't and won't. We left for work reasons and it was a very difficult decision for us.
Again all i meant was if you knew the area he was in I could tell you about security etc to put your mind at ease a little as you are concerned about him.

[HART]

Thanks Girls for your replies... he is staying in a secure house, by the pictures it looks beautiful overlooking a golf course with 4 - 6 other guys. They also have a driver so at this stage we aren't too worried about safety, as long as he is aware of it and knows to be smart about it.

Hopefully we can find a good time to skype as communication is a key factor in making it work

[Bell & Bug]

If you knew where not to go, where is safe etc then you have a higher chance of being safe. A lot if my family in sa would love to come to Australia to get away, but they don't have the money to make the move.
South Africa is a beautiful place, but it can be living hell, too. I will never, ever set foot in that country again.
The violence isnt only majority towards the blacks, that is bull. In my experience its more towards the whites and tourists, I mean who has the most money? There is a lot of hostility between the blacks and whites. It's a very racist country. I'm glad I left, I hate racism and I'm glad I wasn't brainwashed into being racist.

Op it sounds like your husband is in a safe environment, and with a driver that knows the place that is even better. The company seem to be taking wise and necessary precautions and because of that I can assure you he won't run into danger.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Bubhub

[HART]

Thanks Fruit Tingles... he is flying out tomorrow, at the moment it looks like the company is ticking all the right boxes in the safety aspect but I guess we will just see how he finds it - I have already told him several times that his safety comes first and that if he doesn't like it then he doesn't need to feel like he has to stay. On the other hand it is a great opportunity to see and experience another part of the world and finacially we would be a lot better off - but money comes second.