I started reading this thread because some offensive posts got reported and it's very interesting. Really a matter of what you're willing to put up with. And I think there are trolls all overt this thread.
rainbownation wrote:
The crime statistics appear high because the townships near the major cities are dangerous, but they are very easily avoidable. Just be smart and nice and you'll be fine. I can't wait to go back, honestly.
I think crime is much more a problem in South Africa than the poster above lets on to., But sure crime is related in any country to where specifically you are. I live in NYC now and almost never really worry about crime, but Peace Corps volunteers aren't likely hanging out where tourists are hanging out.
At World Relays in Bahamas I met a woman who had emigrated from South Africa to the US. I was telling her I loved my visits to South Africa, loved that English is an official language, and that I really could live anywhere in the world. I told her I had some fantasy of living in S. Africa. She pretty much flat out said it wasn't safe. I told her I didn't feel that unsafe there and had driven from Botswana to Joberg. She said that was nice, but she didn't know a single friend who hadn't been robbed or raped. She had been carjacked and held up at knifepoint. Sure it's just one story and you can dismiss her as an intolerant person who can't hack a changing S. Africa (which was my initial reaction, before i spoke to her at length) but I don't think that's fair.
Related:
thehorror wrote:
But there are black men there!
I think the poster is trying to imply anyone concerned about crime in South Africa is a racist, but I think the posters sharing their experiences from PC experiences in Africa are showing that's not the case.
And now onto this guy who made me laugh:
DanielstheDistiller wrote:
I myself was mugged and held at knifepoint during my time there. Part of that was my own fault, for not taking some of the security advice that we were given as seriously as I should have. Security is obviously a paramount issue and something that a lot of time is spent on during training -- how to avoid trouble, deescalate situations, plan escape routes, countrywide evacuations if necessary, etc.
and
Full disclosure, I did have several friends who were attacked either in their own homes or while traveling. Two were burglarized, stabbed and had to be sent via helicopter to ZA and ultimately back to the US for treatment.
and
Mostly unrelated, but a woman who began her Peace Corps service one year after me went to Cape Town for a gall bladder surgery and died from complications post-surgery.
and
I realize this doesn't paint a super rosy picture,
Agreed! I am curious about this " I myself was mugged and held at knifepoint during my time there. Part of that was my own fault, for not taking some of the security advice that we were given as seriously as I should have. "
What did you do wrong?
Also I think violent crime would freak me out a lot more if I was female. As a male, most likely I'm just going to get robbed but as a female I'd be worried about the same person sexually assaulting me. As a dude, I guess I'd just hand over my wallet and call it a day. To the guy above held up at knifepoint, were you not really freaked out?
The S. African lady I mentioned above said she initially freaked when she got carjacked.. She had pulled over on side of road when it happened but said the criminal was a pro and just told her to calm down and hand her the keys. Later she was held up at knifepoint by a young kid and said that was actually much scarier because she didn't know what the kid was doing.
My brother's wife was robbed at knifepoint by a gang of kids walking home from her first day of work as a lawyer.... in the US. Stuff can happen anywhere and there is some randomness to it, but knowing the local specifics is very important.
I sort of figured the Peace Corps would really look after it's people but this thread shows they don't do it as well as I thought. Good luck to your daughter if she goes.