Q&A: Is South AFrica that scary?
Question by Elza: Is South AFrica that scary?
I’ve always wanted to see Cape Town but the news on AIDs and crime scares me. I won’t be doing drugs or sleeping around but someone could rape me and the stats show a horribly high percentage of HIV+ person. I”m female and would travel alone. I’m not much of a nightclub person so would I be safe walking the city alone during the day and then maybe eating at a restaurant close to my hotel at night.
I don’t know if I’d do any safaris or nature excursions, I just want to see Cape Town but open to suggestions. Also I”m poor so please no resort referrals unless they are uber cheap.
Thanks I hope not to have offended anyone. I just want information because South AFrica looks so beautiful in pictures.
@What’s the difference between the taxis and the cabs
Best answer:
Answer by Monsieur Zustin
How dare you! I have lived in Cape Town for my wole life and it is not scary at all. Maybe sure some of the area can be SCARY AT NIGHT but it is a nice place the people are very nice and kind. And its beautiful. Don’t jude to fast if you never been there.
What do you think? Answer below!
It is more beautiful than any picture can show you. Cape Town and the country have their fair share of thugs. Maybe more than most countries you know. But, hey, we also have a lot of good people. Be brave, give it a go. It will be worth it.
My two friends studied there 2 summers ago and had a great time. As can be expected in any big city there is and always will be crime, so always be well aware. Another person I know went to S Africa all by herself and she was a blond haired blue eyed blond and she also had a good time. So my advise to you is go to the American embassy and let them know your itinerary in case something were to happen to you, this way they can help you out. Hope that this helps.
Statistically Cape Town is South Africa’s most violent City with the most violent crimes per capita. Nobody can tell you with any certainty that you will be “safe” in Cape Town as there have been numerous attacks on Tourists at all their prime tourist sites,beaches and Hotels. The last people you can trust are SA Tourism as Cape Town is their crown jewel and they will lie through their teeth as they currently are regarding the ethnic cleansing going on in South Africa. Cape Town is a beautiful City and it is a crying shame that it is also an unsafe City as are most other Cities in South Africa. A female walking around alone is going to be a prime target for the criminals whether it is day or night time. Try and get a friend to accompany you and Cape Town is expensive -they double the cost of everything for Tourists..
You will need to be chaperoned or you will be gang raped as many unsuspecting young lady has before you. E-mail xtremetravel@absamail.co.za. They will help you. They are Leon and Madelaine. Otherwise do not go.
you got the wrong impression
DONT walk the streets especially in town
you wont get HIV man ive been here my whole life and im HIV negative
just trust your instincts and rather travel with someone and if you from anywhere except zimbabwe your money will be worth a lot here
american dollar is about R7.49 somewhere there
a pound is about R14.00 not sure how much exactly
australian dollar is about R8.00
some could be wrong not sure how much it is exactly
South Africa you just got to be careful
stay out of the townships dont ever walk around alone
dont take taxis take cabs
just dont be stupid and dont travel alone
Taxi= dangerous, driving sucks,squashy.
Cab=u can travel in alone without a hundred people squashed in.
A taxi is a mini van.. I think thats what u guys call it. Usually have sound systems
Cab,normal car with stickers on telling u its a cab.
South Africa is not safe for a foreign women on her own, make sure you travel with a “local”. Please come and enjoy South Africa but be “streetwise”.
I wouldn’t go right now. There’s lots of unrest.
There was ethnic cleansing near Killarny last night. That;s just down the road from my house.
It is scary right now!!!!!
Tread lightly, stay in the shadows and carry a big stick.
Oh yes and be very carful which taxi’s that you get into because , don’t forget a white woman is worth about R 1000.00 a shot in the townships on a a pay-day week-end.
All of the advice given here is good solid sense but don’t forget all of South Africa is unsafe and dangerous for white people.
If you must come then use a reputable tour company to take you around because CapeTown, even though it is dangerouse is also very beautiful and well worth seeing.
Be safe.
South Africa is stunningly gorgeous. But bear in mind that the national murder rate often surpasses that of daily deaths by bombs, and other violent means in Iraq. Yes, South Africa has a higher (on average) murder rate than Iraq.
Lulu
Cape Town is a fantastic City! And it has a lot in common with other big and fantastic cities such as it can be dangerous. And some areas are worse than others. The same can be said of New York, Los Angeles, London or my own Montreal.A woman travelling alone in any one of those places puts herself in a certain amount of risk. The divide between white and black is more pronounced in South Africa so have your guard up and take the advice offered by another responder here – travel with a friend or a tour group rather than alone. And if you do have any personal biases regarding race – put a rein on it while you are there – it would not be a good time or place to voice them.
Something to remember about the media coverage we get about S.A. outside of the country – The coverage, while often based on a fact, is sensationalized and sometimes downright misrepresented.
Yup! You might get raped and you might get murdered but then you might get raped and murdered in your own bed at home too. And you might get HIV but you can get that back home as well. Just watch A & E American Justice or Cold Case Files. No matter where you are in the world, this is a problem any one of us could encounter. S.A. does not have a monopoly on rape and murder.
So now that you know the down side of things, let me tell you that Cape Town is a most beautiful and historic city. Oh I forgot one warning – the baboons often can be seen wandering around if you are on the outskirts of the city – don’t feed them. They are very much like bears – when you run out of food they run out of patience and can tear you limb from limb. If you are from North America, try to get to the Observatory – The S.A. sky is a wonder to behold and most South African’s take it for granted. If you like jazz – Cape Town is the Jazz capital of the continent (my opinion). If you golf – there is a veritable feast of great and exceedingly beautiful and beautifully kept golf courses in and around Cape Town. There is good theatre, ballet, great museums, fabulous shopping – some of jewelry places that sell diamonds also give little lecture series on the diamond industry.
I hope you get there. I hope all your memories of it will be good ones. I hope you will take everyone’s advice and go with someone. Oh and don’t forget your camera.
Like all of S. Africa Cape Town is very dangerous. I know I have been there and done it. Stay in the safest area, never go alone at night or to areas not very safe. It looks nice in pictures but its not that special to get killed over.
Like all the postings above, Cape Town is the most beautiful city in the world, BUT, you have to be street-wise. Always be alert.
Read the info in these links:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2007-01-04-south-africa-township-tourism_x.htm
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/South_Africa/Province_of_the_Western_Cape/Cape_Town-2225504/Warnings_or_Dangers-Cape_Town-Crime_theft-BR-1.html
I do not mean to frighten you off with this info, but use it to be more aware of the dangers that there really are in SA!! And until the xenophobia attacks have been brought under control, refrain from taking a township tour.
And here is my favourite webcam site for Table Mountain. Click on the times and see the mountain in different times of the day. Unfortunately at this actual time, Cape Town is surrounded in mist and one is only able to see the palm trees in Milnerton. But keep tabs on the link to see Cape Town and Table Mountain on other clear days.
http://www.capetown-webcam.com/
There is crime everywhere in the world and especially in larger cities HOWEVER it’s the frequency of crime in SA that’s the killer (pun intended).
There are statistically many many more rapes murders muggings hijackings etc. in SA cities and towns than their overseas equivalents.
You might be a victim of crime anywhere in the world but statistically your chances are higher in South Africa.
Simply put – it’s a gamble.
In saying that, most (with your best interests at heart) would advise against traveling alone or using public transport.
You have to educate yourself on all the do’s and don’ts for travelling around SA so that you may keep safe on your journey.
Scary? Yes, right now it is.