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“South Africa is not perfect, but it’s not the nightmare some make it out to be. Millions of us live, love, and thrive here.”

South Africa, like many countries, has its challenges — yes, crime is a reality here and some areas are riskier than others. But sweeping statements like “it’s not safe at all” don’t reflect how millions of people actually live. Every day we go to work, send our children to school, visit family, shop, and enjoy life without living in constant fear.

Tourists who visit South Africa often go to places like Cape Town, the Garden Route, or Kruger National Park. These are well-established tourist destinations with security and infrastructure in place, and they are generally safe if you follow the same basic precautions you would anywhere in the world!

It’s true that our country still struggles with inequality — wealthier areas are often very secure, while poorer communities face more challenges with drugs, crime, and under-resourced services. This division is part of our history, but it doesn’t mean the whole country is a no-go zone. It means South Africa is complex, like many other places in the world.

So while we should be honest about the risks, it’s unfair to paint South Africa as a place that is unsafe for everyone, all the time. The reality is far more balanced: yes, be cautious, but also know that this is a country full of beauty, resilience, warmth, and culture. Visitors who come here with awareness and respect usually have an unforgettable experience.

👉 Don’t let the headlines or stereotypes scare you — South Africa is a country worth seeing for yourself.
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I was in the Kruger two months ago. And although the animals were great I was disappointed in some of the camps. Not really upgraded and very over priced. Also the surrounding areas like Bourkes luck and gods window were neglected. At the potholes the museum looked like it hadn’t been updated since 78. The bathrooms were broken and locked etc etc .
Pilgrims rest is dead….business there were telling me how they struggle. etc etc.
I was a little embarrassed that so many international tourists who go there would see that. But I guess there is no money to upgrade those buildings as the politicians are hungry.
It’s still a beautiful country though, I agree.
Waxfoot · 56-60, M
@TangledUpInBlue this is so true and so sad that it’s laughable at times but it’s the same in a lot of places
@Waxfoot yeah…sorry about those typos. Anyway it’s true, it’s hard to stay positive about SA when things are declining around us. Durban’s beachfront pools buggered. They could have used the ‘national dialogue’ money to fix that for example. Although I appreciate what the poster said about our country and agree, I would also venture to say that this neglect will and is affecting our tourism which affects jobs and crime and so on. And eventually the scenery. Until the only places that are maintained are private and very expensive. Yes we do shop and go places and live life normally. We pay exorbitant prices for private security, insurance, safety , car safety( those that can afford it). International tourists who would possibly come and spend resources hear about this and they’d say nah, rather go to Kenya for example.