EnglishTea

Hi all,

I'm a 28 year old English female - my job allows me freedom to travel and live abroad when I want to, and I am currently considering a posting to Cape Town. I have read many of the threads on this site and fully understand that most of you who have left SA have done so because on balance with your personal circumstances (i.e. family/ kids/ time of life/ level of direct exposure to violent crime) you feel that the negatives and dangers outweighed the positives.

Some general information - I anticipate being posted there for c. 2 years, with guaranteed right of return to my old job in the UK whenever I wanted it. My financial package would be favorable and the company would provide my accommodation so I won't have to fork out for expensive security - the firm would pay for all that. I do not nor do I intend to have kids (pesky little critters just get in the way eh) so I am not concerned about the risks at school, or whether kids can play in the streets etc.

I would really appreciate some advice on my particular situation , but would prefer to avoid generalised "don't move there it's too dangerous" advice, or links to horror stories in the news. Assuming that I have already researched and thought through the general security and crime issues involved in living there to the point where I have already decided that I will take the posting (not strictly true - still more research to do!) I would just like some specific advice on the lifestyles of "young professional" adults - those with good jobs/ finances but no major responsibilities. Given the inherent limitations imposed upon residents as a result of the need for additional security would I, for example, be able to go out to a bar after work and have drinks with colleagues/ other expats, or go to a restaurant? Or is this kind of activity simply not available due to crime issues? How do local SA residents socialise - is it only within their own homes (i.e. pools and barbecues), or are there bars/ clubs/ theatres etc that are deemed sufficiently "safe" that people will actually go there? Is it normal to hang out on the beaches on the weekend with friends?

Thanks.

Pablo

Yes

Similar to the UK

Yes. "Safe" is relative. As your use of inverted commas seems to suggest.

Yes

Generally, if you haven't already done so, I suggest you read the local papers for CT online to get a feel of day-to-day life and what people are talking about. The papers cover all aspects of life you mention, from politics to entertainment.

Tegwyn

These past threads should also offer you enough info on some of the challenges you face without us dwelling on what you don't want to hear. The unfortunate fact is that the crime issue will dictate pretty much most of the decisions you make. The Cape is beautiful and vibrant, but you will just need to learn to become street smart and hope that is sufficient outside of your fortress (home). You are going back to third world rules so understand the local bobby will not be available or even interested. There is a lot to do and see, and people get on with their lives as best they can. Some better than others. BBQ's, restaurants, pubs, pools, beaches, etc. Life goes on.

uk_vette

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I agree with all the above.
Where in CT are you planning you 'base'
There are some super places around Clifton, and the night life is oh so cool and trendy.

Go for it girl !

'vette

Pablo

Actually it's provincial and self-consciously affected.

EnglishTea

Great - thanks for your responses. Really appreciate getting an inside view on these things.

Very glad to hear that there is some good town/ city fun to be had.
- I had visions of being locked up in a gated community for two years, emerging the other side of my posting like a socially incompetent hermit.

I imagine that whilst it is possible to go out and have drinks/ fun, there is a problem getting home afterwards - maybe one person in the group has to stay sober to drive everyone else home, on the assumption that cabs aren't available/safe. Yes I had heard that the SA police are rubbish and corrupt- having worked in Moscow where if you call the police they'd be more likely to try and send you to jail for fictitious crimes unless you furnish them with lots of roubles rather than actually provide assistance, I am already reasonably wary of uniformed officials.

I haven't really looked into particular areas - I think my employer will probably just send me some serviced apartments to choose from - I've heard that its generally safer to be in a high rise apartment if possible rather than a house(reduces the odds of getting burgled possibly)?

One more slightly stupid question - does anyone have views on whether its better to drive an expensive, secure vehicle which would provide reasonable protection in the case of a hijacking etc, or to drive a cheaper, more battered car that would in theory reduce the chance of being targeted in the first place (but not much protection if something does happen)?.

Cheers!

Pablo

Just get something that isn't going to break down. No vehicle is secure. Besides, last I checked, hijacking was more of a Jo'burg/Gauteng problem than a CT one. (I haven't looked at the latest figures. Others here might have more up-to-date info, or you can check the stats yourself if you feel like it.)

As for drink driving, I think many South Africans just drink & drive whenever they want to. (But these are minor matters you can resolve if you are there).

uk_vette

Hi,
Probably just go for a White Toyota Corolla, couple of years old, blends in very well.
autotrader.co.za

Mitzyboy

Well ........ I've got to ask ........ why?

whalewatcher

We had a rusty, 20-year old VW Golf. People tried to steal it several times, but couldn't hotwire it. It would probably blend in on the Cape Flats better than a white BMW, so maybe get one of the latter.

ededed

I work for a stolen vehicle tracking company - and can say with absolute confidence that you shouldn't buy a VW citigolf! Don't believe the stats that are published as they are often based on research paid for by the manufacturers. You are better to get a more expensive car and fit a decent tracking unit - won't help you deal with the trauma, but you'll probably get your car back and save aggro with insurance and gives us a chance (and a reason) to shoot some bad guys which we do with regularity. Try and go for something less common (BMW/Mercs/Audi are "fairly" high risk, VW, Toyota are higher still). Landrover, Lexus, Honda and are all at the low end of the risk scale as they are harder to sell on and the parts not so in demand...

I think Martynk is also in the security game so can comment further and with more experience than me.

More important is to follow the guidelines to be safe - trust your instincts (drive round the block if you get home and it doesn't "feel right"), keep valuables out of sight (in the boot, not on the seats), try and coast up to traffic lights while in gear and not stop, and always give the impression that you know where you are going even when lost!

Pablo's right - it's a much smaller issue in CT that Jo'Burg but does still happen. I think there are 5-7 hijackings (or attempted hijackings )per day in CT.

Don't drink and drive - not only is there a good chance of getting pulled at a roadblock (and then locked up with no chance of bribing your way out), it's extremely dangerous and you could kill someone! There is no public transport worthy of the name, so designated drivers are required.

Good luck - I'm sure you'll make the right decision and will enjoy it if you come out. The above isn't mean to scare - the risks are low (compared to Jo'Burg) and as long as you take reasonable precautions you can substantially reduce your chances of being a victim. Cheers.

Ed

MartynK

There's no proven correlation between the type of vehicle you drive and the risk of being hijacked. Lots of people have tried to analyse the crime statistics, and tried to find trends, since hijacking became a serious problem around 1990 but the results aren't very useful. The statistics aren't adjusted for market share by manufacturer/model, which is a significant weakness, and crime patterns are a moving target.

There are basically two types of hijacking, excluding commercial vehicles. Well organised gangs hijack vehicles to order (make, model and colour etc). Others are just opportunists, who hijack a vehicle to make some money and aren't too fussy what they get. Pretty much a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, if you're the victim. If anything, the "professionals" are less dangerous. They are generally "experienced", a bit more controlled, and don't want bullet holes and blood in the car because it reduces the value.

Cape Town has the third highest crime rate in SA, after Johannesburg and Durban, but this is more or less a reflection of the size of the populations, not the per capita risk.

I'm not going to try to give you any advice on whether to take the transfer or not. Cape Town does have a serious crime problem, like just everywhere else in SA, but there are a lot of young professionals who enjoy a good lifestyle such as the one you are looking for, and it's a personal call. Apartments (flats) are generally safer than suburban houses, or you could consider a gated community or townhouse/cluster development. I do suggest taking a defensive/advanced driving course in SA. This will sharpen up your awareness and help you to avoid a hijacking, and will also reduce the risk of being involved in an accident, whch is probably a far greater danger. Driving in SA can be hectic, and a lot of motorists have very little respect for the law. There is a strong sense that there's nothing wrong with drinking and driving, speeding, blowing through red traffic lights and so on, if you can get away with it or bribe the cop!

uk_vette

-
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Correct,
I bougt a blue Citi Golf for my daughter.
She had it 1 year, and they (?) stole it from the drive.
A few months later, My son saw the car, albeite with a white bonnet in Kenilworth Center car park, just pure luck / fluke, chance in a milion,

He called the police, who arrived quickly, and all 'lie in wait'
When 4 guy's arrived at the Golf, the police sprung, capturing 3 of them, and the 4th got away.
3 taken into custody, with a huge bunch of keys.
The Golf was taken to Maitland police station for forensics and fingerprinting by the SAPS.
Now, here is the strange bit,
By the following day, the Golf was again stolen from OUTSIDE the police station.
I kid you not.
Inside job I says.

Well, insurance paid out, but were not happy with SAPS. for 'erm, loosing it !!

'vette

Daxk

My hi-jacked 4x4 was found within a block of the SAPS Clearance station in Benoni.
(when I drowned the car in a river the year before we replaced the instruments with a higher milage instrument , which belied the the actual milage)
Do you think there may be a connection?
perhaps?
Naaaah!!! just sheer co-incidence.

Tegwyn

Dare we highlight the fact that many of our South African law enforcement are swayed to compensate their incomes with a little activity on the side??? As we are learning from the process of putting a questionable man in power - having authority over the masses while committing a little crime on the side is the ultimate accomplishment.