Is it Safe to Visit South Africa?

South Africa is one big beautiful tapestry of colour with blinding beauty, all-embracing diversity and warm, wonderful people.

It is a nation in the process of reinventing and re-defining itself, often with painful memories and even more painful challenges. But it is one of the nations on earth constantly questioning how best to move forward with the interests of all her people in mind.

There are thousands of things to be proud of, as South Africans, but there are other, darker elements that can, if left to their own devices, derail our exciting ‘long walk to freedom’, and crime is one of these unenviable problems.

National crime statistics are not pleasant reading, although the new dispensation is promising to be a lot firmer when dealing with the problems of criminality in our country and the actual recorded number of crimes is on the decline. However, as with any other city in the world, one would be foolish not to take sensible precautions, such as

•    Don’t flaunt your wealth – there are literally millions of previously disadvantaged South Africans out there who are still battling with abject poverty and walking around with expensive jewellery, cameras and other valuable items in full view is not a good idea.
•    Keep your car doors locked, windows wound up and all valuables hidden when driving.
•    Don’t go wandering off by yourself and always be aware of what is going on around you.   
•    Make sure your passport, traveller’s cheques and other valuables are locked away in the hotel safe when not in use
•    When withdrawing cash at an ATM be extra vigilant and don’t get suckered into ‘assisting’ anyone – it is generally a scam to swop your card or steal your pin number.

Although you may feel intimidated by the levels of crime in South Africa, it is important to remember that the vast majority of visitors leave our shores without incident and with wonderful memories and tales of their stay in the beautiful land of Mandela.