South Africa is a country with beautiful landscapes and vibrant cultures. However, like any country, it comes with its own set of challenges – particularly regarding safety. In this column, I’d like to unpack the ‘safety’ situation in South Africa and share some practical tips to help you travel confidently and safely while exploring allthat South Africa has to offer.

Recently I had a lesson with a student who told me that she’s interested in travelling to South Africa to experience the beautiful landscapes first-hand. However, she expressed concerns for her safety because she had heard unsettling stories of foreign travellers being robbed while visiting South Africa. Firstly, I’d like to make it clear that foreign travellers are not necessarily targeted simply because they are foreign. Instead, a major reason for this is that foreign travellers (particularly from stereotypically ‘safe’ countries like Japan, for example) are not typically aware of the dangers that exist in other, less safe countries like South Africa. They are not adequately equipped to deal with these dangers and therefore may be seen as ‘easy targets’ for criminals.

Muggings (attacking and robbing people in public places) are common in South Africa, even for the residents living there. It is a reality that South Africans live with daily and have learned to adapt to. Understanding this reality is key to preparing yourself for a safe and enjoyable visit. Here are some practical tips to help you stay safe during your travels:

Context-specific tips:

1.       Always be aware of your surroundings. How can you do this? Be sure to look around slowly and take in what you are seeing. Pay attention to people who seem to be focused on you. Listen to your intuition – if something feels off, then act on that feeling. You can move to a safer place or alert a security guard in case of any suspicious activity. People who appear to be aware of their surroundings are less likely to be targeted by criminals than those who are distracted or unaware.

2.       When driving in a car: keep your valuable items (cell phone, wallet, handbag, jewellery, etc.) out of sight. There are many incidents of ‘smash and grabs’, where criminals will smash a car’s windows and steal valuable items. In addition, keep your windows closed when you come to a stop (for example, at stop signs or traffic lights) and use the air conditioner to keep cool/warm instead.

* Did you know * In South Africa, traffic lights are called ‘robots’.

3.       When parking your car: choose well-lit parking areas, don’t leave items in your car, and double-check that all the doors are locked, as remote jamming is a common occurrence.

4.       When walking in public places: keep your valuables hidden. Don’t walk with your cell phone in your hands. Wear your bag/handbag across your body to deter criminals from snatching it. Bag-snatching occurs even in malls and shopping centres, so always be aware. Also, don’t keep valuable items in your back pocket or other places where they can easily be snatched without you realizing it.

5.       When eating at a restaurant: don’t leave your valuable items in view. For example, if you leave your cell phone lying on the table or your handbag hanging over your chair, this makes it easy for criminals to grab it and run. Instead, keep your valuable items on your body (in your bag/handbag on your lap or strapped across your body, or in a closed pocket).

General tips:

6.       Don’t travel alone. Travel in a group so that if one of you is busy checking the GPS or a map, someone else can keep an eye on your surroundings.

7.       Don’t carry large sums of cash with you. Most shops and facilities in South Africa accept card payments, so stick to this. Keep only small amounts of cash on you in case of emergency and keep this cash hidden.

8.       Don’t leave your items unattended in public, regardless of how safe you think the area is.

9.       Don’t drive or walk at night. If you want to experience the night life, choose reputable locations.

10.  In the unlikely event that you are mugged, it’s best to cooperate and prioritize your safety over material possessions.

With this said, staying safe isn’t all about actions – it’s also about mindset. It’s important that when visiting South Africa, you are confident and aware, not scared. Your energy plays a huge role in how you are perceived by others, including criminals.

Some ways that you can prepare before your visit to South Africa are:

1.       Do your research. Make sure you stay in areas with a good safety rating and good security. Some areas are naturally much safer than other areas. Also, carefully research and plan the routes you’ll take when travelling and try to stick to main roads as far as possible.

2.       Practice being aware of your surroundings. You can do this by walking around your own town or city and trying to notice the movements and activity around you. Pay attention to people – how they look and how their energy feels to you (friendly, warm, angry, threatening, scary, etc.).

3.       Practice listening to your intuition. As humans we have a natural sense of our own safety that is built into our biology. It can feel like a gentle inner tug to do something, to act in some way or to avoid something. Getting in tune with your intuition will help you to make the right decisions for yourself when travelling, but also in other areas of your life.

While crime is a harsh reality in South Africa, understanding the root causes can provide valuable context. High crime rates stem from deep systemic issues like poverty and unemployment. With a staggering unemployment rate of 33.5% (Stats SA, 2024), many South Africans face daily struggles to meet their basic needs. Some even turn to crime to meet those needs. This reality highlights the importance of staying aware and prepared during your visit – both for your own safety and to appreciate the resilience of South African people.

South Africa is a land of contrasts. It has incredibly beautiful scenery and a rich cultural heritage with 12 official languages; the people are warm, friendly and full of life; and the food is rich and comforting. You will learn a lot about the world and yourself from visiting South Africa. You will see passion like you’ve never seen it before, and you will see suffering like you’ve never seen it before. And you will realize that these two things can coexist, in one nation – just like they coexist in each and every one of us.

For more detailed advice and safety tips for travelling in South Africa, visit the South African Department of Tourism website: www.tourism.gov.za.

Ready to explore South Africa – or just want to chat about your travel plans? I’d love to hear more about it! Book a lesson with me on CafeTalk, and let’s chat about it!

Column by AmberRae on CafeTalk.