opens his mouth. People outside the country tend to bracket him with the sort of strutting neo-Nazis seen on TV.

So much so, the white 21-year-old frequently feels forced to stick up for his homeland.

It is a position which confuses his thoughts on the historic developments in South Africa. While he supports this week's all-race election -- which saw blacks grab the reins of power for the first time -- there is hesitation in his voice.

"When you are treated like scum, you become very defensive,'' he explains.

"I love South Africa, but often find I'm put in the dock and found guilty for just being white. I don't consider myself a racist.'' It is a predicament which faces many white South Africans who venture outside their country. And can lead to misunderstanding when they seem reluctant to endorse totally the barrage of criticism fired their way.

Not that this totally explains Mr. Tripp's hesitation. There is another reason. Mr. Tripp has genuine fears for South Africa's future, and what lies in store for his relatives in the country.

The prospect of a backlash against whites for hundreds of years of oppression looms large in his mind.

And, he wonders, will blacks become increasingly demanding now they have won the opportunity to vote? "I believe there will be more bloodshed, before there is a better tomorrow.

"It will also take a long time for things to really improve. Hopefully, this will happen in my lifetime.'' One of the legacies of apartheid is an uneducated class of blacks, says Mr.

Tripp. This will slow up moves to integrate blacks and enable them to get top jobs, he adds.

Mr. Tripp and his 19-year-old English pal Mr. Stephen Isaac flew to Bermuda to take part in a badminton tournament.

The pair live in England and hope to become professional badminton players.

While the best of friends, they don't see totally eye to eye on politics.

Mr. Isaac does not mince his words about the South Africa he visited recently.

"I was shocked by apartheid,'' he says.

And he ribs his friend for failing to take such a strong line.

Both, however, welcome the momentous events changing South Africa's political landscape. On Monday African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela claimed victory in the election, declaring the nation's black majority was "free at last''.

For Mr. Tripp -- a British citizen -- change certainly had to come.

And, had he voted, he would have put his cross against the ANC. But, again, one detects hesitation in his voice.

Born and raised in Johannesburg, Mr. Tripp had little contact with blacks as a child. It was a typically "privileged'' upbringing in a white household.

"Blacks and whites just didn't mix, and I went to an all-white school. It was not something I questioned at the time, it was just the way it was.

"Blacks weren't allowed in our area, and the only ones I knew were the maid and gardener at our house. I would also see them selling things in the streets.'' And because he lived away from the strife-torn townships, Mr. Tripp was unexposed to the troubles.

Going to school in England proved a big eye-opener, however.

It was there, the youngster found himself the target of racist jibes from schoolchildren weaned by television images.

It also forced him to think about South Africa and what was happening.

"In the United Kingdom blacks and whites were treated equally, and would sit in the same restaurants and the buses.

"When I returned to South Africa I saw how different things were. It really opened my eyes.'' But would Mr. Tripp return to the country of his birth? "I would love to, but I will wait and see what happens.'' Badminton player Mr. Manfred Tripp.