People who have spent extended time in South Africa

[Simbad]

What was it like? Are people constantly on edge due to safety issues?

Is it possible to live a normal life by just "staying in the good bits" and not wearing flashy stuff?

I'm not considering moving at all, but I'd love to visit Cape Town on holiday.

I’ve been to South Africa multiple times and my godparents live there.

Cape town is my favourite place in the world. You can absolutely go on holiday there and stay safe. Keep your wits about your and stay to the ‘touristy’ areas if you’re worried bit you would have a great time there!

Used to live there (JHB) before emigrating.

You live in a gated community, either purpose-built or a few roads cordoned off with security barriers and guards at either end only letting through cars with the right signage for the area.

Constant suspicion that your/the neighbour's maid or gardener is stealing things / keeping an eye on your holiday dates.

Very materialistic culture.

Lots of distrust of other races/cultures.

Can't walk on the street, or it just isn't done, drive everywhere.

Socialising - at the mall.

Lots of drink driving.

No stopping (only slowing down) at traffic lights at night, for fear of hijacking.

You know at least one person who has been hijacked, or violently robbed.

So, no, for me - the "normal" there isn't normal ime.

Have you ever been to any of the other cities like Joburg, Durban or Pretoria?

My understanding is that if I want to go out in Cape Town at night, it's best to take a taxi to and from the specific venue I want to attend.

@TheWayTheLightFalls even in Sandton?

Yes. Perhaps more so (I lived there!) because lots of wealthy people and high-end cars -> risk of violent crime.

I lived about 15 minutes from sandton city. Studied at Wits.

Yup, same as @TheWayTheLightFalls , I used to live near Sandton - the wealthier the area the more people want to access some of that wealth. But the wealthier areas can also afford better security, so generally it's pretty safe inside the gated communities.

I miss the country, but I love that in the UK I can walk in safety (where I live) at any time of day or night, don't have bars on my windows and can enjoy going to places that aren't malls.

Cape Town is a lot safer than Johannesburg though, you'll be fine there on holiday.

I’m married to a Durban guy, he grew up there then did Uni in Cape Town. In laws still living in a small town just outside Durban. I’ve been many many times, Jo’burg (dh has lots of friends there), Cape Town, Durban and lots of other bits of Natal. I couldn’t ever live there! I get stressed just visiting, always on my guard, always looking over my shoulder. Even dh doesn’t enjoy going there anymore, he really hates driving over there, pp is correct about the drunk driving. The death rate on the roads is horrendous. And even in Cape Town yes you absolutely must be aware of how dangerous it can be, don’t ever walk around at night (even in the tourist areas) on your own. And even in the day be hyper vigilant.

I never felt unsafe (maybe I was a bit naïve). I was shocked, and I mean SHOCKED by how openly racist it was. A beautiful country but I felt very uncomfortable a lot of the time as race dominated a lot of conversations.

Yes still is unfortunately. And a lot of snobbery in Cape Town I found.

This is first I'm hearing about the racism. Is it the Afrikaners disliking others?

Really? You haven’t heard of apartheid that only ended in the 1990s?

Ok. My mistake. Can't believe that slipped my mind.

I had an Auntie and Uncle who lived in SA for 11 years(Johannesburg).

They lived in a house with security gates and swimming pool, over here they live in a modest 3 bed with small garden.

Think one of the final straws for my auntie was having a gun pulled on her whilst driving with her young daughter in the car.

Cape Town is much safer but there's definitely still an edge and you must have your wits about you. Things such as parking scams are used frequently on tourists.

I holidayed along the garden route on the south coast. Beautiful scenery and lovely people. But you definitely are aware that a wrong turn or a walk at night is something to be avoided.

Also, agree with the above comments about racism.

The above is all quite negative and it is perfectly possible to have a lovely stress free holiday in SA.

I am sorry, the tone of my comment was unkind and unnecessary. I’m always shocked how racist America is and I think it’s easy to forget from our uk bubble the background and history of other countries like South Africa (not perfect by any stretch). The first white South African man I ever met seemed lovely until he revealed a hatred of black African people. Many of his family were murdered and his mum managed to get him out but they lost everything - big house with servants etc. that was his childhood. It’s hard to comprehend but the reality of the uprising against white supremacy. Very complex country. Cape Town is stunning - don’t walk in the dark or quiet place, get taxis.

To me when racism was mentioned I think about the majority being racist to the minority. It slipped my mind in South Africa that it's the other way around.

I have known many SA expats. Their childhoods were all about having help (to do everything, even make a sandwich). Those doing the help were one colour, those doing the paying another. The ones paying felt quite good about themselves. Employment as charity I think they saw it. Most of my friends were younger but I met one of their dads who was an open racist. Didn't shock any of the SAs present. I could never live there for these reasons (of course the violence would mean a hard no too). Otherwise, a beautiful, rich and diverse country I believe.

Some friends of mine are on holiday in Cape Town right now. They have been before, and I'm guessing that if they had been uneasy the first time, they wouldn't have gone again.

I hope your friends are having a good time.

Folk are discussing going out at night, getting taxis etc.
2009 we were in Franschoek and were followed home from a restaurant, was a really scary situation. The owner of the guest house told us to drink and drive rather than walk! I understand that it's gotten far more dangerous now than in 2009 also (friends live there).

What happened in the end?

We were near our guesthouse, the entrance was around the back. We went up the path to the front door as they were right behind us and it was near. I k locked on door and they asked my husband for money, he said 'that's all ive got' and gave them a small amount. They quickly left. Was really frightening at the time. Guesthouse owner thought we were mental walking.

SA is horribly racist. I lived there for a decade until 2018. Most white South Africans are incredibly racist. Black South Africans live with appalling levels of violence.

It is completely possible to have a great holiday in SA without engaging in the issues. If that doesn't bother you

It's wonderful for a holiday, completely different to live there.cape town is fantastic.

Fair enough. I've only ever considered a trip to either Cape Town or Kruger national park.

We have only been on holiday to Cape Town. I loved it, the people that we interacted with were lovely, very polite and positive. I would definetly go back there on holiday. However I couldn't live there as I wouldn't feel safe.
When we went out in the evenings we always made sure we got a cab back to our accommodation, don't flash the cash or wear jewellry. We were in Camp's Bay and were on our way home and we were followed by a couple of people, luckily there were a few of us so nothing untoward happened but it would be scary if there was just 2 of you.

I did notice that even tho apartheid has ended it is still there in some form and I acknowledge that it will take generations for it to die away. By that I mean when we were out and about and in restaurants whilst the clientele was mixed in terms of patrons the groups tended to be of one colour / ethnicity only ie no mixed groups like you get here.
Also our driver was saying that in some areas if the business didn't want the local South Africans frequenting there they would push up prices beyond their affordability so that they only got a certain type of clientele / visitors to that area. So a form of financial apartheid.
Also that in some communities if a Black family wanted to buy a house in a predominately white development even tho they legally can, the owner would say that there is someone else interested in it and so couldn't sell to them.
I loved Cape Town and the driver we had was a gem,