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Are you planning on travelling to South Africa or already staying there? You're worried about the news you’ve been hearing about the xenophobic attacks over there? Well, while the news may appear exaggerated to a native South African, it shouldn’t be to tourists and people of other nationalities travelling there – and more so to Nigerians.
When the killers of popular reggae musician Lucky Dube were captured, they confessed they had trailed him from the airport before shooting him dead close to his home – all the while thinking he was a Nigerian! It is true that people of all nationalities have been victims of crime in South Africa, but it appears Nigerians have been targeted more as victims of hate crime in recent times.
Whether as a Nigerian or people of other nationalities, you must exercise extra caution when travelling to South Africa for the first time, to settle down for business or to raise a family. The following are just some of the ways to stay safe in South Africa:
1. Know where to go and where to avoid
If you’re in Johannesburg, it might be safer to avoid certain places like Hillbrow, Yeoville, and Berea because these places have high rates of crimes both in the day and at night. They must be avoided at all cost if you can manage it, unless of course you’re going with a group that is well-known to you and who are aware of the dangers in these areas. You must also avoid Alexandra, it is next to the road that takes you from the airport to Sandton – this place is extremely dangerous and even locals or natives don’t go there for no reason unless they are prepared to face off with hardened criminals.
2. Do not fight daylight robbers
If you’re ever confronted by a robber in broad daylight at the corner of any streets, do not fight it, simply hand over your valuables and try not to negotiate or be smart. Most crimes in South Africa are carried out by criminal groups and they are often deadly when they strike in the day or at dusk, so learn to be cooperative.
3. Do not flaunt your valuables
But do you need to be told that? Well, maybe. The majority of muggings, murders and other crimes are concentrated in a few areas plagued by drug use or destabilizing factors. So be careful how you display your credit cards or flaunt cash when using the ATM machine or carry yourself when leaving a shopping mall or restaurant.
4. Live closer to your own people
You’re safer living among people of your own nationality. If you’re a Nigerian, live in areas dominated by Nigerians; if you’re American, live in placed dominated by Americans; if you’re Chinese, stay and do business in areas dominated by the Chinese. In this way you feel safer and enjoy “herd immunity/security” and even have the tendency to move or go places with people of your own language or nationality.
5. Anticipate attacks and be ready for emergencies
You must be ready for emergencies by always having your cell or mobile phone with you so that you can always call somebody in case you’re ever in trouble. You should call the numbers 10111 if you’re ever in an emergency and need police response – it is the equivalent of 911. Leave original documents in safes in your hotel rooms and keep valuables locked away with hotel management.
When the killers of popular reggae musician Lucky Dube were captured, they confessed they had trailed him from the airport before shooting him dead close to his home – all the while thinking he was a Nigerian! It is true that people of all nationalities have been victims of crime in South Africa, but it appears Nigerians have been targeted more as victims of hate crime in recent times.
Whether as a Nigerian or people of other nationalities, you must exercise extra caution when travelling to South Africa for the first time, to settle down for business or to raise a family. The following are just some of the ways to stay safe in South Africa:
1. Know where to go and where to avoid
If you’re in Johannesburg, it might be safer to avoid certain places like Hillbrow, Yeoville, and Berea because these places have high rates of crimes both in the day and at night. They must be avoided at all cost if you can manage it, unless of course you’re going with a group that is well-known to you and who are aware of the dangers in these areas. You must also avoid Alexandra, it is next to the road that takes you from the airport to Sandton – this place is extremely dangerous and even locals or natives don’t go there for no reason unless they are prepared to face off with hardened criminals.
2. Do not fight daylight robbers
If you’re ever confronted by a robber in broad daylight at the corner of any streets, do not fight it, simply hand over your valuables and try not to negotiate or be smart. Most crimes in South Africa are carried out by criminal groups and they are often deadly when they strike in the day or at dusk, so learn to be cooperative.
3. Do not flaunt your valuables
But do you need to be told that? Well, maybe. The majority of muggings, murders and other crimes are concentrated in a few areas plagued by drug use or destabilizing factors. So be careful how you display your credit cards or flaunt cash when using the ATM machine or carry yourself when leaving a shopping mall or restaurant.
4. Live closer to your own people
You’re safer living among people of your own nationality. If you’re a Nigerian, live in areas dominated by Nigerians; if you’re American, live in placed dominated by Americans; if you’re Chinese, stay and do business in areas dominated by the Chinese. In this way you feel safer and enjoy “herd immunity/security” and even have the tendency to move or go places with people of your own language or nationality.
5. Anticipate attacks and be ready for emergencies
You must be ready for emergencies by always having your cell or mobile phone with you so that you can always call somebody in case you’re ever in trouble. You should call the numbers 10111 if you’re ever in an emergency and need police response – it is the equivalent of 911. Leave original documents in safes in your hotel rooms and keep valuables locked away with hotel management.
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