Travel to South Africa
dangerous? Yes? No?
South Africa is a country with a great diversity of cultures, languages and religious beliefs, which is why it is also known as the Rainbow Nation.
With its 2798 kilometers of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, it is a paradise that we should visit. But the fame in the press does not do it justice. In the media, it is described as dangerous for tourists.
A few days ago, the online newspaper Focus published an article in which it demystifies the idea that South Africa is very dangerous, at least not as dangerous as New York or London.
According to Focus Online "In general, holidaymakers in the tourist strongholds and with the right behavior have nothing to fear".
South Africa has a stable political situation and there are no wars and its relations with its neighbors are peaceful. Nevertheless, the domestic political situation is different. The digital magazine emphasizes, "society is characterized by a huge gap between rich and poor. This constantly causes tensions and conflicts. The rich, predominantly white part of the population entrenches itself in their neighborhoods behind high walls, while other neighborhoods and rural areas are characterized by poverty"
It is a fact that crime rates, especially in large cities, are high and homicide rates are unfortunately in the top 10 of the UNODC list of countries with the highest rates. These data also give cause for hope: according to statistics, most cases of crime affect locals, only rarely tourists. "Holidaymakers are most likely to become victims of minor robberies, where their bag is snatched from them in the middle of the street. Thefts in restaurants also occur", writes Focus Online.
But not all cities are the same, as there are a number of differences between them. "Cape Town is considered very safe, especially in the center around Long Street and the Waterfront. Tourists can even climb Table Mountain alone without special precautions. In Johannesburg, the situation is somewhat different", the magazine claims.
How can you spend a safe holiday in South Africa?
In general, there is no need to fear traveling to South Africa. The situation has long been safe and stable, and the government has not issued any special guidelines, yet the following points should be considered.
- You should avoid public transport in South Africa. "These are mainly used by the poorer population. This increases the risk that you will be seen as a rich tourist and robbed or mugged", Focus Online states.
- We now know that you should not carry valuables such as watches, jewelry, cameras or cash with you if possible.
- Avoid city centers in large cities after dark.
- If you are traveling in a rental car, you should always keep windows and doors locked.
- Despite all precautions, if you are mugged, do not resist and give the possibly armed perpetrators what they want.
We recommend that you read the Focus Online article for more details, and visit the wineries or restaurants that you will surely enjoy.
Report by Focus Online, May 15, 2022
