Thanks for the comments! I've been putting this together slowwwwwly over the past few weeks when I have spare time here and there.
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Originally Posted by destroycreate
Wow, this thread was incredible and so informative. I feel like you've literally taken me on a virtual tour of SA. Thanks for putting in so much effort!
However I must say, I don't know if I'd want to visit (I'd admittedly feel really paranoid) and I'm seriously glad I don't live in a country *that* dangerous. The US gets a lot of flack in the western world, but man this thread certainly puts things into perspective. I can't imagine living in such a violent society--one wonders what went so wrong in the South African psyche.
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It's interesting - a lot of people point to apartheid ending in 1994 to the surge in crime. And while there was a large surge, research suggests it may have been quite high during apartheid as well, just things weren't reported outside of predominantly white areas. Since 1994 the murder rate has dropped from about 60 to 30 per 100,000, with Joburg being about average. At the same time, it's likely that the reporting of crimes has become more reliable. Crime may actually be lower than it was during apartheid, just more out in the open. Like here there's also a lot of sensationalist reporting about crime - the media exaggeration may even be worse.
To give an example, the City of New Orleans (a high crime city) has a murder rate of about 35 per 100k, compared to the entire Joburg metro of 30. Nola's crime is obviously centred in the municipality and the suburbs would have lower rates. Within Joburg metro there are areas with much more crime like the Townships and parts of the CBD, and areas with much less crime. I've been to both and it's not too hard to stay out of trouble.
Not to paint a rosy picture of course as it IS a huge issue that needs a ton of work. But the perception can sometimes be worse than the reality. If you ask a Joburg resident their biggest complaint about the city the most likely answer is "the traffic", which is legitimately horrible and compounded due to constant traffic light outtages.