An SA Times reader brought the following article in the Times to our attention - a South African woman asking her British boyfriend to “just get on with it”. So what do you think - how do South African men and women compare to the British (and other nationalities) when it comes to the love game? Let us know!

About 600 South Africans turned up in central London to participate in a march against crime in South Africa today. The march was organised by ACT4SA, a new group who say they are trying to unite South Africans abroad to make a pro-active and positive contribution to the fight against crime in South Africa.

CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS OF THE MARCH

What do you think? How can one make a pro-active and positive contribution as South Africans living abroad without sounding patronising or negative?

Yesterday SA Times was invited by BBC World Service on the their Network Africa programme to participate in an interesting debate: should Africa’s expats be allowed to vote?
In South Africa’s case, South Africans living abroad were not allowed to vote in the previous elections in 2004 and it seems unlikely that they will be able to in 2009. Although the government may site logistical problems, as they did in 2004, the real reason is probably that they cannot allow such a large and significant portion of the votes to come from citizens who do not live in the country. This is seems like an understandable concern, but some of the points in the debate raised included:

• Does the ANC fear that a large portion of South Africans living abroad are not supportive of their party? For which party would the majority of South Africans abroad vote?
• What about South Africans who are abroad on a two-year working holiday visa and may have every intention of returning to the country – should they not have a say in South Africa’s future?
• How in touch are South Africans living abroad – especially those who have been away for more than five years – with the issues facing South Africa. Are they really equipped to vote?
• Why were South Africans abroad allowed to vote in 1994? Does race play a role – in other words: does the fact that the majority of South Africans now living abroad are white influence government’s decision in any way?
• Would granting South Africans abroad the vote not help them feel more involved and needed and thus in the long run encourage them to return home?

What do you think – let us know!