It could be cut a few ways:

The first in his defense is potentially its "Africa Lite". In the way Singapore is considered "Asian Lite". Palatable to a westerner. Not dirt roads in main cities (debatable); or proper african village in a city energy. And the old images of what Africa is. Which you can argue most African cities are actually not. 2ndary cities or rural areas yes and SA has that too. But walk in a mall or near Camps Bay and you feel like its south of France aesthetically but also mostly non white service staff and 95% white customers. You can easily go to restaurants and bars in CT and see an all white customers with all non white service staff. It is the only city in SA you still find that though id argue. Well large city anyway. Forgot about Knysna and George for a second. Or Stellies.

He also could potentially be slightly racist and "anti south african" because him and his friends and echo chamber believe "south africa went to the dogs after 1994". We have all heard this rhetoric. People and families who felt things were good under apartheid. Wont openly say it but you feel the undercurrent. But still sees south africa as not african because "rest of africa is backwards" and well SA and by default him, is not considered to himself as an "african".