BootsnAll Travel Community

A word of warning... I have recently returned from a trip through KwaZulu Natal, along the Garden Route and on to Cape Town. In the week I was there I saw a woman being attacked and dragged away by 2 men (and I presumed raped), a car park in front stopped at a red light had to continue and drive through it as 2 men attempted to car hijack him and in the city centre I witnessed an armed bank robbery -- ALL THIS HAPPENED IN SLEEPY CAPE TOWN in a 3 day period!!!

Also, beware of the police - numerous locals warned me that there are many imposters, complete with uniforma nd firearm.

According to Interpol South Africa is the crime capital of the world, next to Columbia. Every 16 seconds a woman is raped. Gun crime, drugs, child prostitution and police corruption are rampant.

PLEASE TAKE CARE!

Well it's not on my travel agenda and you have certainly not convinced me it should be otherwise.

Had neighbours while living on the goldcoast who were coloured or black south africans, couple of teachers who were terribly nice (one of our aussie oxymorons)people and wife quite gregarious but husband rather quiet onmatters of SA, and understandably so.

They and their two lads had left out a back door when apartheid was still in place and because of the secret police interest in their elder son - they got to New Zealand, and then eventually with citizenship there have been able to come to Australia.
Apparently it was even normal practice under apartheid for your life to include venturing outside your house with a pistol strapped to tour leg.
Met a woman once who said that when she was in New Guinea, you would do likewise.

Saw one current affair show with playgrounds resembling security compounds, people having steel plated doors on their bedrooms and a safe (strong-room) in the house.

Have met a few white south africans who have lkeft south africa for similar reasons to the above.

An interesting point to me was when I asked my neighbours whether with south africa expats was there a mixing of blacks/coloured with whites?
You've got to be kidding was the answer!

But how was SA away from the cities, for I think you will always have a great extent of crime within cities, even per capita, as generally I have found that country folk just have more time to be truly sociable, less stress etc. in their life.

Just to give another side of the story I was in South Africa for a month about a year and a half ago mainly in Stellenbosch, Cape Town and the Garden Route and never once did i witness any violent crimes or did i really feel unsafe. infact it seemed most people went out of there way to help me out when ever I had trouble and most of the people I met were extrememly friendly. South Africa can be an exciting adventure but as with any travel one does there are always certian precautions one should take so dont let a once and a life time experince pass you up by avoiding this amazing country

While I wouldn't exactly call Cape Town a "sleepy" town, SA is definitely high on my list of places to remain on extra alert. The month I was there, I met at least a dozen other backpackers who had been mugged/robbed, usually a knifepoint. I myself was the victim of an attempted credit card theft/scam the first day in country. Like what was said earlier, it's a wonderful place... just remain cautious.

I really do not think South Africa is as bad as people make it out to be. That said, it does demand some extra caution. I was robbed at knife point but the guys who did it where calm and easy going about it. they simply said " look here my friend we will not hurt you we just need some money" I forget, I think it was like 60 maybe 90 rand at the most they took from my wallet and then gave the wallet back to me. It was hardly a life or death situation. the guys even shook my hand after and asked me where I was from!!

How ABSOLUTELY absurd is that?? I suppose that makes it alright then to be held up at knife point???

LOL, sounds like the Maoist rebels in Nepal, asking for 'donations' while brandishing machine guns. They even give you a nifty receipt that you can show if you're accosted again, supposedly you don't have to 'donate' twice.

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How ABSOLUTELY absurd is that?? I suppose that makes it alright then to be held up at knife point???

No your %100 right. It does not make it O.K. However I think it is silly that many people are still afraid to travel to South Africa because of the terrible things they here about the place. Of course it was a very uncomfortable situation for me, but as I said before it was hardly life threatening. If I had to put that one experience on the scale and way it with all the other experiences I had in S.A it it makes it worth it in the end. I would do it all over in a second. in the end I am 15 dollars short and perhaps a little wiser about how to linger in a train station

I've just spent a few days in Cape Town and I absolutely love the place. I will certainly be returning as soon as I possibly can. I saw no problems at all (although I admit there will be plenty). We walked round at night in Long Street area (which is meant to have a reputation), V&A Waterfront and at Sea Point (which TOH mentioned in another thread as being a no go area). Our hostel was in Sea Point and apart from the resident bum on the street we saw few problems.
We did see people hanging around on street corners looking like they were up to no good, but I've seen that in every other city I've ever been to.
Basically please go to Cape Town, unless you're one of the unlucky ones you will have a trip you will always remember

I'm white, female, a single mom, a college professor, now 60 and a half years old. I lived in Pietermaritzburg, in KwaZulu-Natal, 1995-1999, did research in Zulu villages, in Indian communities, and in urban Zulu townships. I went wherever I wanted to go whenever I wanted to go there, usually driving, often offering rides to hitchhikers, and I never met any trouble at all. What I found was a cultural richness like nothing any American can imagine (eleven official languages, countless ethnic varieties of black and brown people, at least five different Indian ethnic groups, and two very different kinds of white people, just for starters). I found the ocean full of dolphins, the hills full of children (many of them AIDS orphans), the villages full of people who want to tell their stories, and 8-part harmony a capella singing pouring out of every small collection of buildings. It is a country drenched in blood, a country that has suffered unimaginable violence since the colonizers first arrived, and it is not surprising, given that heritage, that violence remains. I met some of the bravest people I have ever known, people of every color and background, brave because they wake up in the morning and try to build a better world for everyone, against great odds. For me, it was possible to go gently, mean well, listen attentively, be present and aware, and be part of the solution. Those four years were among the most joyful, exciting, and enriching years of my life. I wouldn't trade them for anything. I left because it is my nature to move on, but I carry South Africa in my heart. I believe it is possible for others, not just me, to go gently and carefully, with awareness and sensitivity, and to be safe. Getting out of bed every day is a risk. Don't let fear stop you from discovering the passion, the beauty, and the heartbreak that is South Africa. I never visited a game park, never wanted to. I went for the people, and I found riches beyond description.

Thank you Grannygold for puting perspective on things.
I will be staying in Cape Town for three months and the previous messages had me thinking twice about my decision (well not thinking twie but it did give me pangs of anxiety).
I have a lot of friends who are from Cape Town and it is my understanding that it is the safest city in the country.

Is there certain sections people should stay clear of?

Sure, there are certain areas to steer clear of, no matter where you go. It's great you have friends there. They will guide you, and if you have a little guidance and good common sense, you should be able to have a wonderful trip, free of fear and full of wonder.

In 2003 I was part of a team of 16 people - 10 women and 6 men - who walked from Durban to Cape Town (±1800kms) to raise awareness about the abuse of women and children in our country. We were met with kindness and concern wherever we went - day and night - even whilst walking through the Transkei (which we warned not to do). Some of the men we spoke to were a little defensive but the women we met were supportive and eager to share their experiences. The most amazing interactions were with the youth and at rural schools along the way.
South Africa has always had a patriarchal society (in both white colonialist societies and black indigenous peoples) and this has exacerbated the problems of abuse.
At no time did our team feel threatened. However, the SA Police force kept a look out for us all the way from Durban to Cape Town - just in case - and at one time we were pulled off the road because our papers were not in order for that magisterial district.
Sil
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