How safe is South Africa?

Question

For a white 20 year old female?
I'm especially looking at Cape Town and Stellenbosch.

Answer 1

Let common sense be your guide. There are a lot of students in Stellenbosch and Cape Town. I traveled alone all around South Africa for two months and never felt threatened - I was scared once in Durban because a fight broke out and there was gunfire and people were getting mugged right in front of my face.
Listen to the locals - they will be a great resource. I didn't spend much time in Jo'burg at the advice of EVERYONE I met - they all told me to steer clear of there.
Cape Town was great - be mindful and don't get sucked in to the kids begging either...that was hard - really little kids begging for food or money or sweets - they have a good program where you can buy "food tickets" to give them rather than money -if you give them any money you become almost a target...they all come after you and ask you for a little more - I watched this one woman get totally surrounded at Green Market Square - she was giving one kid money and then there were about 20 kids from no where...
just act like it is a big city anywhere ( it is a big city)....be very mindful of the people that you encounter and stay away from questionable areas, don't ever walk alone at night.
Like I said - let common sense be your guide.

Answer 2

South Africa is a great country. The climate is great and the entertainment facilities are wonderful.

The crime rate in South Africa is something like 6 times as high as in the states. We have 22 000 murders a year with a population of 44 million. The US has the same number of murders with a population of 280 million. The robbery, rape and burglary figures are also pretty bad. A lot of people have given up reporting crimes because it is a waste of time. The police in SA are managing to get 21% of cases to court, which is a rise of 3% over last year. I don't know what the conviction rate is.

There are good areas and bad areas. Follow the tips that others have given you and remember the warnings that your parents gave you as well. Stellenbosch is a safe area. Most of the tourist places in Cape Town are safe. Be intelligent and wary and you should be safe.

Answer 3

South Africa has a relatively high crime rate. However, warnings about crime should be taken in context. The threat is not as serious as it might sound. If you are alert and take some common-sense precautions then you will have no problems. (Do not wear jewelry or expensive watches, do not wear a tummy bag with all your valuables, distribute your valuables in inside pockets and other pockets, do not wear large sums of money etc. do not walk by night in dark places.) Don't make it obvious you are a tourist - conceal your camera and binoculars, know where to go so that you don't have to reveal you're lost or need a map, simply all the obvious "I am a tourist" signs.

Visiting the townships is possible, but don't do it alone unless you really know where you're going. Some townships are safe while others can be extremely dangerous. It's best to go with an experienced guide. Some tour companies offer guided visits to the townships, and this is perfectly safe.

South Africa has very few earthquakes, cyclones, tornadoes, floods, terrorist incidents or contagious diseases (with the exception of AIDS and malaria).

Please also note that taking an evening stroll, or walking to venues after dark can be very risky! It simply is NOT part of the culture there, as it is in Europe or the US. Best to take a taxi or private vehicle for an "evening out". I've studied at the University of Stellenbosch and it was quite safe there at night...the downtown area. Don't know about now, because I've been away for so long.

Answer 4

Not very safe! Don't try sleeping on the streets! I am a South African and I lived in Cape Town for 10 years - I kow cape Town and the Stellenbosch area very well. The bottom line is that if you are careful and stick to the tourist areas you will be fine. If you decide that you want to hang out in one of the local townships or catch a ride on one of the taxis and trains that service the townships, you will not be safe. If you rent/hire a car ( the best way to get around as public transport is not great), make sure the doors are locked and don't leave your windows down when you stop at the traffic lights. Watch the mirrors to keep an eye on suspicious people wandering around the vehicle. If you go downtown, try not to act like a toursit snapping pictures of everything and watch your bags. Remember, it is a country with 40 million people living in poverty -what would you be prepared to do in you lived in that environment? Try not to walk about the streets at night. Sleep with your windows closed and your doors locked. Its about as dangerous as if you wandered into the wrong area of LA or New York. If you offer yourself as a potential target, someone will take you up on your offer. Otherwise, its a great place to visit - great scenery, wine, food and friendly people. Just be careful and you will be fine.

Enjoy!

Answer 5

South Africa is not too safe. We have quite a high crime rate in South Africa. Don't listen to the person that said that it is so safe that you can sleep on the streets because that is dangerous! You have to be careful when you come to South Africa. When you're in a car-your doors must be locked and your window must be closed. When you are in your house, your doors must be locked and windows should be closed or kept a LITTLE bit open. When carrying your handbag or other bags or other baggage, keep it close to you as possible and hold them tight. Do not go wondering out on the streets at night. Always be aware of suspicious looking people whether they are 10 years old or 90 years old and no matter what colour race they are. Always be aware of your surroundings. See the link below for more information. Please don't let the crime in South Africa effect your decision about coming here because it is not as bad as what it sounds. This is a lovely country with so much to do and to see. I have lived here my whole life and still feel safe because im aware of my surroundings at all times. I love South Africa and im sure you will too!

Answer 6

StellenBosch is a University town in Cape Town its a great place & well worth the visit..aplly the usual common sense & you will be fine & safe.

Answer 7

South Africa can be dangerous but if avoid travel alone, in isolated areas and in areas of high crime, its not too bad.

I strongly suggest you avoid J-Berg and Kwa Zulu Natal because of the levels of crime in those areas.

DO NOT MISS: Kruger National Park, Cape Town, and Sun City. There are far to many more locations to mention that are fantastic to visit.

Be careful in the game parks, the animals are totally wild and roam freely. In Kruger, you are not permitted to leave your car except in fenced camp sites. This is for your protection.

Register with the US Embassy and provide them contact numbers and lodging information should you have difficulties.

Have a great trip, I wish I were going again.

Answer 8

I would not lie to you South Africa is as safe as America and do not let anybody tell you any less. I am an African and I know these things. Do not try to write it off that oh nothing would happen to me I have lived most of my life out of the Continent

Answer 9

Every place has it's problems and South Africa is no different. You just have to be safe and not go to areas you're unsure about.

Answer 10

Geez woman! That french teacher of yours had a seriously overworked guardian angel trying to keep her safe!!! The people who are most at risk is foreigners. They are way too trusting of complete strangers and then get themselves in serious trouble. So please be alert and be paranoid. I live here I know what I am talking about.