The grass is greener Down Under

I TOTALLY agree with the headline "South Africans still live in the best place in the world" (January 5), but if the writer of that letter takes everything into account, we deserve to live in a better environment.

The statement is typical from somebody whose life has not been threatened by criminals. Our children cannot stay in this country; they deserve better.

I have also been in both countries mentioned, Mauritius and Australia, and both are safer than South Africa.

Because we are used to lawlessness, some South Africans would find it very difficult to adapt to a disciplined country such as Australia.

If you live in Australia and earn dollars it is not expensive. The interest rate is 7 percent, inflation is 3 percent and personal tax is 26 percent.

Yes, if you emigrate, you will have to make sacrifices, but I would rather drop my standard of living and live a peaceful life than be too afraid to go out with my family.

In South Africa, I have been held at gunpoint in my own bedroom. - Raymond Sterley, by e-mail