Are tourists afraid of South Africa?

The Republic of South Africa's flag - The South African flag. The flag of the nation which will be hosting the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.
South Africa
May 22, 2010 9:08am CST
I keep hearing on the news about tourists' worries about the crime in South Africa, and how dangerous it is to visit our country, even during the world cup. Admittedly, SA does have a much higher crime rate than most countries, but it's not nearly as bad as the media tends to make it out to be. Security businesses are unable to meet the massive demands of tourists for bodyguards and general "babysitting" of tourists during the world cup, and it makes me wonder if things haven't been blown slightly out of proportion. I think what is most frustrating to us living in South Africa, is how incidents in other African countries, such as the shooting of the togo bus, are suddenly linked to South Africa and its hosting of the world cup. That would be the equivelant of saying that a world cup should not be hosted in Germany, because of a car bomb in Portugal. Africa, like Europe, is a continent... not a country. So, what are you myLotters' opinions on the matter? Do you hear that South Africa is an unsafe, dangerous place? And what makes people believe so?
2 responses
stormragetz
@stormragetz (567)
• Singapore
24 May 10
I guess things will be alittle unknown and unsettle in South Africa this coming June. If everything goes smoothly, it will go a long way in establishing South Africa's reputation in organizing a big global event. However, with terrorist group threatening to attack during the World Cup period, I only hope that the security will do their best. An attack in the World Cup will be have a devastating effect throughout the whole world.
crackx
@crackx (628)
• Belgium
22 May 10
I hear it a lot, even when I'm just at geography class, if you would go alone with a friend, the risk is high that you would get attacked, if you looked a bit rich to them. But it is possible that it are all just rumors, except for the ones that come in the news etc, but perhaps those are just like the ones in our countries... There are always some people exagerating, act without thinking, perhaps it's those who give South Africa a bad name as well. I myself wouldn't go there alone either though... Have a nice day mklegg!