Major Direferences Between Homes in America and South Africa

Major Direferences Between Homes in America and South Africa

[@pennymnguni9]

Who ever said ur house is ugly on the outside must be on something toxic, ur house is gorgeous I love it so much ❤❤❤

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

They prejudiced my house. They did not know where I was going with it.

[@tendanipelaelo6293]

​@@mamadeebuildsahouseIGNORE these bitter people and just enjoy your house

[@InstrumentalBackTracks]

Will attempt to answer a few points mentioned. The reason why AC electrical sockets in bathrooms are in general not allowed in SA and this also applies to electrical sockets on the same side as water pipes is for safety reasons. AC electrical sockets are pretty dangerous in an area of water and a lot of humidity, The majority of houses of the same basic standard as yours in South Africa are made of bricks and cement even the interior walls are bricks and cement. This point is one that always baffles me about American houses especially due to tornadoes hurricanes etc which are far more prevalent in America than in South Africa why it is that Americans still build wooden houses in these areas. Unlike in America, the South African weather is very stable in that in many regions there isn't a vast difference between our winter and our summer. In my region for example it never goes below 15 degrees C and in fact winter is even better than summer. We rarely get snow in my region it does not snow at all and in other regions such as Johannesburg, it snows every 20 years. Therefore with the fact that most houses are brick and cement and our weather conditions the types of insulation that you need in the USA do not apply here. The same applies to the reason for the shutters that you have and also Europe we don't really need them. Screens for insect prevention are only necessary in areas with a lot of insects such as mosquitos and flies. Most of our regions do not have much unless they are near dumps or areas with farm animals which attract them. Housing throughout the world is in general related to the conditions weather and otherwise. This therefore tells you that actually we have overall better weather conditions. Electricity is a very sore point here as unfortunately in the last years we have suffered with lack of that due to the maintenance that has not been maintained. We then look at the cultural difference. USA is very much or was anyway a throw-away society the opposite is the case in any African country. This stems not only from the social economic differences but the culture going back for many years. The people of all ethnic groups in South Africa were either migrating down for a better quality of life or navigating for the same reason. Those who navigated and then settled were people who ran away from the Industrial Revolution just as an example. There background therefore over the generations was therefore frugal and conservative. This goes for everything in general whether you are green yellow or pink. But watching what is happening all around the world this big spender attitude of the American people will very soon be changing as America faces a recession just like everywhere else in the world. The frugal and conservative also comes from the fact that some of the population wants to save make money to return to their countries of origin. So with one foot here and one foot in their country of original big spending is not a thing with many. I am selling my stunning house in KZN South Africa do you want to buy? Situated in one of the most touristic parts of the country with one of the best weathers in the world you can wear shorts and t-shirt all year round and barbeque swim in the warm ocean at the height of winter and live amongst one of the nicest people on earth South Africans. If I ever have to leave South Africa what I will miss the most are the people and the weather. I have experienced people in various countries but there is a humanity in the South African no matter what race he is that I never found anywhere else.

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

this requires a reading nook, but let me read then respond :)

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

"Will attempt to answer a few points mentioned. The reason why AC electrical sockets in bathrooms are in general not allowed in SA and this also applies to electrical sockets on the same side as water pipes is for safety reasons. AC electrical sockets are pretty dangerous in an area of water and a lot of humidity," you can make same point about kitchen. So, I think this was a man-made excuse. Houses same quality as mine in South Africa (especially in Cape Town) have plugs NOW. And hotels do. so this was one of those things south africans were convinced. Also, american homes have to meet code which is another reason they don't have to worry about them.

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

" This point is one that always baffles me about American houses especially due to tornadoes hurricanes etc which are far more prevalent in America than in South Africa why it is that Americans still build wooden houses in these areas. " this isn't so baffling once you know that in America there are zones (flood zones, hurricane zones, earth quakes, tornado alleys, etc) so, there are standards for these prone areas but sometimes people take advantage of loop holes and allow things to fly. For instance, I have a lake front land and my house is required to have a 5ft foundation and be on pillars to prevent flooding. If I ever build, I will have to follow those. Many of the houses in America were built before the research was done. If you notice in places like Florida most houses are made of blocks. New York is called the concrete jungle. California most houses are brick. Same here in North Carolina, we have a lot brick house. Foundation is always brick.

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

I stayed in Table View the last time I was in South Africa and the cracks on the walls were saddening! Also, places like the Transkei where I'm building, for centuries people build with mud and some houses survived and many didn't. Roofs in America rarely leak because everything is standardized and occupancy certificate will not be issued until code is met.

[@InstrumentalBackTracks]

@@mamadeebuildsahouse I think you should go read on this. The sockets that are allowed and have been for a long time are either DC which are direct current or very low voltage and not the standard South African 220-240volt. This rule does not only actually apply to SA there has to be a certain distance between water pipes and electricity supply. Do a little google search and you read all the reasons etc.

[@JoyBringers]

As far as building is concerned, of course, do it your way. I am American and I do agree that we need to consider building our homes out of cement blocks because the weather is becoming more and more extreme. I have to add that I am shocked that in 2024 there are voices against electricity in the bathroom. Is this just a South African thing, I've never heard of this? I am in my 60's and I don't remember bathrooms that didn't have electricity in them. I think South Africans are limiting themselves because of old practices. By the way Mama Dee, I absolutely love your South African home, you have impeccable taste.

[@miriammmamoitoisehloho3055]

We need those screens in south Africa for mosquitoes

[@ourmarriageourway7517]

That's a lot of plugs yjoo. Beautiful puppy there our little brave puppy. Both your houses are beautiful mamaDee❤

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

Zukzuk says thank you ❤️

[@CandyCoated96]

Yes, your American home looks like mine. Both of your homes are beautiful.

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

Thank you. Is your house in the usa?

[@CandyCoated96]

@@mamadeebuildsahouse Yes I live in the USA.

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

@@CandyCoated96 nice. I live in NC.

[@MAASAIWITHPASSPORT]

Nice one

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

Thank you

[@InstrumentalBackTracks]

As I am in the music industry I will be answering the "yes you can" with a bit of musical history. Claude François a very famous french singer and song writer who actually wrote the original song MY WAY which most people know the original song was called "Comme d'habitude". Guess how he died at the age of 39. Electricity in his bathroom! After having a shower, with his feet still in water, he noticed the wall light was not straight, he attempted to straighten it, causing him to receive a severe electric shock. So no doubt YES you can but the outcome is....well

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

But that can happen in the kitchen. As a kid, I got electrocuted a lot from our iron, and yes electricity can be dangerous anywhere

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

And I'm not arguing for unsafe use.

[@InstrumentalBackTracks]

@@mamadeebuildsahouse that is why as mentioned right in the beginning close to the part where I was still talking about Noah is the reason why in most cases they do not put electrical sockets near water there has to be a certain distance between the two. But you can put your cellular phone in the bath connected to your electrical socket no problem you can do that but whether you will come out the bath this lifetime or whether we will have to meet again on another channel in our next life is the question But now seriously come to think of it here in South Africa we have no danger of that course we either don't have electricity or we don't have water or we don't have both so having both at the same time is rare so no danger here

[@Lisa-fe5lv]

❤

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

Thank you

[@salty-006_7]

Hi MamaDee love your home in the US. Those fly or insect screen is something quite difficult to find here in South Africa. Our hardware stores don't even know what I'm talking about when I ask if they stock fly screens. Import some?

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

Hello, you need to buy my document cause I tell you where to buy things. But try corner star, port Elizabeth

[@southafricaismyhome814]

We dont live in tree homes in Southafrica we live real bricks homes KZbin ESTATES SOUTHAFRICA, OF RE/MAX SOUTHAFRICA HOMES WE HAVE BETTER LIFE STYLES 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

Do you know why New York is called concrete jungle? Have you ever stepped in an American home? Do you know that every material used around the world is used in America? Do you know the engineering that goes into building an American home?

[@southafricaismyhome814]

@@mamadeebuildsahouse When that Storm Katrina hit America yes

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

better lifestyle? Really, America has WAAYYYYY better lifestyle. I mean I can walk here at any time of the day and leave my house open and unlocked at any time. Yes, SOME South African are build well. Last year I was in Table View near Cape Town, so many houses there (in an upscale neighborhood) had so many cracks. America has brick and block houses and even here in North Carolina. My house is in a place where I don't have to worry much and have had it for 16 years and never had to fix a thing. In South Africa I already had to repaint my guest house and tiles and tiles outside are buckling @@southafricaismyhome814

[@southafricaismyhome814]

@@mamadeebuildsahouse CHICAGO IS MUDER CAPITAL CITY IN AMERICA I LIVE THERE

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

watch too much tv. Yes, America isn't perfect, i know there are dangerous parts but rule of law here is king. People are afraid of the law cause they know it will come down on them. But where I live and in every place I've been in the usa including NY, you can literally feel free. That is why people take walks, hike, go to the beach and leave their stuff without worrying cause they know they do not have to worry. Even in projects here in North Carolina I can drive through or go. No worries. Even CHicago you don't hear about it anymore. They were using it as a political tool against Obama and now that he is gone from office and has built HIS LIBRARY (Presidential) in Chicago you don't hear anything. @@southafricaismyhome814

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

Anything surprised you?

[@NyashaM]

The size of the house. It's huge

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

@@NyashaM it is actually very reasonable and almost half the size of the house I built.

[@hannahperlotto139]

It's not whats outside that's important!!! It's whats inside!!! You have a very nice home. SA is very different!! Did not know about the plugs. I also find it a bit stupid not to have plugs in the bathroom. Women needs it for hairdryer and men for there shaving(electric)

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

Thank you. Exactly, that is why we need them in the bathroom.

[@ntokazijojo6994]

Electrical compliance is the reason why you can’t have sockets / plugs in the bathroom in SA. It will be non compliant with electrical safety standard therefore illegal. South Africa operates on 230 voltage which is almost double the size of American/ USA voltage which 120 voltage supply. Therefore if you install sockets in a bathroom that voltage it will be reckless and dangerous not to mention illegal because bathrooms are highly humid hence water can get inside the socket easily. Which can result in electrical shock and even death. You can’t compare a bathroom to a kitchen.

[@copperrose]

Soooo many plugs😍. You have a beautiful home. You're one of the lucky ones that got out of ZA.

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

Thank you. Except I'm going back.

[@copperrose]

oh noooo,why?@@mamadeebuildsahouse

[@tendanipelaelo6293]

​@@copperroseThat's her country.....Home sweet Home

[@y23323]

Oh No. Stay there. As you said. It's safer there. You can leave your door unlocked and you can walk around any time of the day. And the houses has to many cracks here😂

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

You guys don't understand the idea of freedom to do as you wish within the confines of just laws. You are easily offended which has really ruined our country, need a tough skin. It is true it is safe in America no matter how much that offends you. I also fought for my freedom in South Africa, worked hard in life and I'm entitled to do as I wish.

[@waterangola]

Your home is beautiful outside and inside in South Africa in a beautiful farm area, they are just jealous.

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

Thank you so much