I certainly agree with the consideration of going where you want to be, with a couple of qualifications.

First, it seems a waste using one of your 20 segments on short trips-- or more precisely, on flights that can be purchased separately cheaply. So definitely go to the places you want to visit but even with a xONEx ticket in hand, keep in mind other options for getting there.

Second, I find that considering long segments initially for miles leads me to consider places that I might not have considered otherwise but upon anticipating or visiting, I find that I enjoy. An example, is that I am currently in Mumbai prompted initially by the distance from Hong Kong but got enthusiastic about as I considered the possibilities. Similarly, flying DFW-ANC-DFW in June was triggered by credit for the almost 7000 mile distance. I had not previously thought about going to Alaska but going to ANC led to adding a flight to Barrow which was a great experience (the whole trip being mitigated somewhat by the uncomfortable AA flights from DFW to ANC and back). And at the end of my current AONE5 Mauritius ticket, I'm looking forward to having to pass through JNB because I am now planning to visit Kruger Natl Park.

So taking these factors into account, I find that it is easy to go to places that I will enjoy (especially if you are open to new possibilities) as well as accumulating a lot of miles (ie, usually over 60,000).

I will probably convert my ex-MRU AONE5 into an AONE6 (adding South America) later this year when I complete the first leg of the ticket.

Why? I like to go to South America in the winter time and fares are rarely less than $800 (and often around $1000) in Y. Adding the extra continent to my AONE5 will cost around $800, which is the same as a "cheap" coach ticket this time of year. Yeah, Lan losing F is a bummer, but by the time I would do this JAL will be an option (JFK-GRU) and AA will run F to GRU, GIG and EZE. Even if I opt to go on Lan in J it will still be a great deal.

So am I mistaken in thinking that I couldn't do a trip going from OCeania - Asia - Europe - Africa (JNB) - SA - NA - Oceania without finding my own transportation from JNB to some place like Kenya so i can get to SA through Europe using the rule below? Seems odd. What am I missing?

37N . * 2 PERMITTED IN EUROPE WHEN 1 IS A TRANSIT
38N . WITHOUT STOPOVER BETWEEN
39N . GHANA/NIGERIA/KENYA/UGANDA/TANZANIA AND
40N . ANOTHER
41N . CONTINENT.

You could do SWP - Asia - Africa - Europe - SA <-> NA - SWP

Not missing anything, your reading of the rules is correct.

Yea. I see that, but it messes up the flow of the trip I was trying to prepare. With *A I have a problem of getting a flight from SA to SWP. With OW it's the flight from Africa to SA that causes me problems...

Thanks