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This is a little case study in the failure of democracy. For when nobody wants to invest in your country, even from a pretty risk-tolerant audience, then you have elected the wrong government.

And this is the blind spot of socialists all around the world. They take investors for granted. And why no socialist society will prosper, ever.

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Originally posted by Russ Gould:
When I was growing up, we had a place on the beach at Plettenberg Bay. Didn't realize it at the time but this was heaven on earth. Far away from any big cities and no population of indigenes to speak of. Biggest worry was getting a sunburn.

Today, not so much. It's a bit of a political hotspot. There have been cases of arson, rioting, and general antisocial behavior. Mobs have shut down the main highway more than once with burning tyres etc.

So buying a place on the beach is not without its problems. Even in the Cape.

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Originally posted by Russ Gould:
I have been going to Plett since 1968, probably before you were born. Back when the Beacon Island Hotel was original and the bridge over the Piesang River was made of wood.

Those days are gone.

I was there last week but obviously not in 1968. You know what Russ. Don’t come back - you would think it’s a frikkin war zone. You clearly loved South Africa very much or you wouldn’t write so often about it. I’ve noticed from travelling that the expatriates living abroad are the most critical of South Africa - perhaps as justification for leaving. The nostalgia you’re feeling is normal but the truth is that in 60’s, 70’s and 80’s there would have been violent protests as well and a major part of the population repressed by the apartheid government. I also remember the good parts of my youth as if they were perfect, nostalgia does that. South Africa isn’t perfect but I assure you Plettenberg Bay is still as close to perfect as you’ll get.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF_sNMWOiHU

https://www.news24.com/news24/...ng-protests-20210618

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Where would you invest?

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I assure you Plettenberg Bay is still as close to perfect as you’ll get.

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Originally posted by Russ Gould:

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I assure you Plettenberg Bay is still as close to perfect as you’ll get.

This was fynbos back in the day .. now it's just another shanty town

https://www.sapeople.com/2020/...lettenberg-bay-fire/

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but it’s still a frikkin cool place

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Originally posted by Heym SR20:
Land is always a very emotive thing. My family had farms in Rhodesia - long gone now. I now live in Scotland and land prices are now well and truly far above what the land is worth. The only buyers are those who view land as a trophy or speculation, or buying it to greenwash by doing lots of rewilding.

What matters more is access to land and wild spaces. In Scotland with the land reform act we have free access to unenclosed land, and it is a wonderful thing. We legally have the freedom to go and climb the mountains. There are strict rules governing the access and basically you should leave no trace and do not interrupt any other activities going on. Sadly there are a few that don’t follow the rules, nor are they policed / enforced.

We do not have any public land hunting like you do in the US. And down in England you can only cross land on public rights of way.

I very nearly invested my career into Zambia in the mid 1990’s as everything was beginning to open up again. Circumstances change and I did not. Do I regret this. Yes, absolutely - but I have made a good life in Scotland instead, and no I don’t have leopards, elephants etc on my doorstep, but I do have easy access to wild places - which is what I want and need.

Would I invest in a Scottish estate, or a parcel of land in Africa - neither would make any financial sense, but ………….

Well I know a gentleman who used to own a very Scottish stalking estate, with excellent salmon river as well. He reckoned he poured in well over £1m a year of cash from his other resources. After 20 years of doing so he sold the estate, but still rents a couple of weeks a year fishing and stalking up there. His annual escape to the highlands now costs him £40,000 (its a 12 bedroom lodge) as opposed to well over £1m. And he has none of the embuggerance of actually owning and running the land from afar.

The old saying of “if it flies, fishes, floats, or fornicates then rent it” probably holds true!

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Originally posted by larryshores:

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Originally posted by Heym SR20:
Land is always a very emotive thing. My family had farms in Rhodesia - long gone now. I now live in Scotland and land prices are now well and truly far above what the land is worth. The only buyers are those who view land as a trophy or speculation, or buying it to greenwash by doing lots of rewilding.

What matters more is access to land and wild spaces. In Scotland with the land reform act we have free access to unenclosed land, and it is a wonderful thing. We legally have the freedom to go and climb the mountains. There are strict rules governing the access and basically you should leave no trace and do not interrupt any other activities going on. Sadly there are a few that don’t follow the rules, nor are they policed / enforced.

We do not have any public land hunting like you do in the US. And down in England you can only cross land on public rights of way.

I very nearly invested my career into Zambia in the mid 1990’s as everything was beginning to open up again. Circumstances change and I did not. Do I regret this. Yes, absolutely - but I have made a good life in Scotland instead, and no I don’t have leopards, elephants etc on my doorstep, but I do have easy access to wild places - which is what I want and need.

Would I invest in a Scottish estate, or a parcel of land in Africa - neither would make any financial sense, but ………….

Well I know a gentleman who used to own a very Scottish stalking estate, with excellent salmon river as well. He reckoned he poured in well over £1m a year of cash from his other resources. After 20 years of doing so he sold the estate, but still rents a couple of weeks a year fishing and stalking up there. His annual escape to the highlands now costs him £40,000 (its a 12 bedroom lodge) as opposed to well over £1m. And he has none of the embuggerance of actually owning and running the land from afar.

The old saying of “if it flies, fishes, floats, or fornicates then rent it” probably holds true!

I hear you.

I own a 753 acre parcel in central Florida. I am starting to look at the costs of maintaining as I get older. I realize I can go on several trips a year, kill bigger bucks and have a bunch of money left over if I sold.