Safety is always an important factor for any person. Here are some interesting Safety Stats for South Africa (media report summaries are copied below)

South Africa is a wonderful but tough country with lots of rules nobody listens to. The reason for this is conflicting cultures or culture-rub with the singular blinding attraction being the city of gold.

This country is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations while its President refuses to adhere to Western family principles. In the same vein does the country not adhere to Western safety guidelines resulting in 220 mine fatalities as opposed to 50 in Australia in the same year.

What makes South Africa wonderful is its banking and communications systems. However, it also attracts sophisticated criminals distributing wares such as humans and drugs via our sophisticated transport system.

Politically we seem to mingle with unsafe characters where even ex-Presidents find exile and work in South Africa. But despite this the country remains attractive to the average non-taxpayer because it appears to be the biggest welfare state in the world.

One of the basic rules not adhered to in South Africa is simple supply and demand. There are lots of workers to supply, but no demand. In the same sense is safety (and Aids) not managed by the Government. It is not even reported or recorded in any consistent manner since the International Labour Organization do not get safety figures from South Africa.

But still South Africa is a great place to live. Nature is wonderful and attracts lots of tourists despite official warnings regarding hi-jackings murders, elephants, alligators  and sharks. However, shopping remains a winner since our clothes, diamonds, lodging and food is cheaper. You can even stay-over in a shack if you have a trustworthy non-aids infected guide.

South Africans have many assets, they are very creative and good at sports. Nothing is holding them back in construction, rugby and golf but there have been reports of problems emerging due to DDT being freely used against the malaria mosquito plague which can cause a genetic emergence of hermaphrodites.

As this all may feel a little chaotic, then feel at home because the death rate in South Africa is above the norm and some stability is in fact required. However, being a great country in principle effort should be expended to understand and correct the approach to safety as a first priority.

Most SA politicians think education is nr 1 priority because it gets approximately 25% of the National budget. But it actually is safety even if safety on its own gets understandably much less. It just shows that by not spending much more on Safety in a strategic sense, enough uniquely South African improvements will be possible to allow even the much coveted Olympic Games. 

Media summaries:

Tuesday, 16 March 2010
A host of South African celebrities have come together to launch a cover version of the 1980's hit song 'Shout' to kick start a campaign against crime.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010

South Africa is to fast-track a comprehensive new law against human trafficking before the start of the soccer World Cup, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010

Banks will implement an online fingerprint verification system to reduce fraud, the SA Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) said on Tuesday
South Africa is a beautiful country and many people just like you live here, so it isn't all that bad. Don’t let the crime spoil your vacation, but don’t let negligence ruin your life. Stay alert and be aware. If you take care you should enjoy your holiday with no problems.
British nationals required consular assistance in South Africa in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (48 cases); hospitalisations (23 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (23 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (871 cases)

There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

During 2007 and 2008 there were a number of incidents involving foreigners being followed from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to their destinations by car and then robbed, often at gunpoint. We recommend you exercise particular caution in and around the airport and extra vigilance when driving away.

South Africa actively promotes an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign.  But given the high level of HIV/AIDS in the country, you should seek immediate medical advice if you are sexually assaulted or otherwise injured. 

We've improved on our security network for the World Cup. And I want to say that FIFA having seen what we have on ground and have scored our security arrangements high. About $100m was spent to secure the country, so the safety of our visitors is guaranteed,"

MARCH 11, 2010
CAPE TOWN, South Africa—Global miners pursuing veins of gold and platinum thousands of feet deep here are running up against a spate of safety-related work stoppages, driving costs higher and hindering the industry's recovery even as demand for precious metals picks up.
In 2009, South African government mining inspectors ordered one of the world's biggest gold miners, AngloGold Ashanti Ltd., to suspend sections of its operations 44 times; that compared with 20 times in 2007. The suspensions contributed to a 14% production decline at the company's South African mines from a year earlier.
Thursday, March 18, 2010

Melbourne, Victoria, 18 March 2010 – With the World Cup in South Africa fast approaching, safety concerns are forcing foreign companies to revisit security preparations for staff that are being sent to work at the finals, or who are simply visiting the event.

Andrew Taylor-Gammon from travel risk consultancy MEA Advisory explains that, “Companies sending staff overseas have a duty of care for their well-being and training such as online learning prior to departure, can be a cost effective way to raise staff awareness and equip them with the right skills to travel safely.

• Keep a photocopy of the first few pages of your passport, visas and air tickets, separately from the original documents. Beware of thieves posing as police officers.
• Car-jacking occurs fairly regularly but may not end in violence as long as you comply with demands made.
• When visiting wildlife areas do not walk into the bush without your guide!
• Do not approach any wild animals: It is dangerous!
• Do not swim in any river (presence of crocodiles and hippo's)!
• Never feed any animals, however inquisitive they may appear to be!