I am thinking about leaving SA - the usual factors of cost, family, and change apply.
Redeeming qualities: I do have pretty good buying power in SA, the weather is great,and it is quite a multicultural place with friendly people by and large.
To my knowledge the rate of black on black violent crime is higher than black on white crime - SA has a general problem of violent crime. Its definitely a problem but a pogrom specifically is not a chief concern for me.
Thank you for an interesting reply. I come from a fairly safe country, so I cannot really imagine how living in an unsafe country looks like.
What precautions do people in SA need to take when travelling? Is there any sort of constantly updated "off-limits area map", or is it just common knowledge?
How does security in wealthier neighbourhoods look like?
Is hiking in the wild risky? Is public transport generally to be avoided, or are there "better and worse" services?
As far as electricity blackouts go, everyone has a generator, right? Is there never a shortage of diesel for those generators? What about the pollution that comes from running generators several hours a day?
> Is there any sort of constantly updated "off-limits area map", or is it just common knowledge?
No maps - just common local knowledge. Some areas you avoid completely, some you just avoiding walking or driving through late at night.
> How does security in wealthier neighbourhoods look like?
Most new higher-end developments are fenced-off security complexes - electric fencing all around, and 24/7 security services. But there are still many "regular" suburbs without that. In those you typically have security patrols, and individual houses may or may not have electric fencing, depending on the area.
> Is hiking in the wild risky?
Depends on the area. In some areas you just avoid hiking alone. The more remote areas typically have no safety issues.
> Is public transport generally to be avoided, or are there "better and worse" services?
Most (but not all) wealthy people avoid local public transport ("taxis" and trains) - they do have safety (and reliability) issues. There are good options in some places - e.g. a high-end train in Johannesburg & Pretoria, and Uber is a decent option in most cities. Long distance busses and trains are also typically fine.
> As far as electricity blackouts go, everyone has a generator, right?
No, generators are mostly only by businesses. Too noisy and too much effort to use for most residences.
The cheap solutions involve getting a mini backup power supply for your internet router, and some battery-operated lights. That + some planning around e.g. cooking gets you through most outages.
Recently, battery backup + solar became very popular for everyone who can afford it. Prices for solar and batteries dropped substantially over the last 5-10 years, and the entire installed system costs around 1/3rd of what you'd pay in the US.
> Is there never a shortage of diesel for those generators?
We've had one shortage that I remember over the last couple of years. It's much more relevant for vehicle fuel than generators.
> What about the pollution that comes from running generators several hours a day?
Much less than that of cars and our coal power stations. Noise is the biggest issue.
"Most new higher-end developments are fenced-off security complexes"
Thank you for taking time to write such a detailed answer.
The security complex thing, I wouldn't be able to live like that. It is my natural instinct to roam cities on foot, walk through the streets and the parks, observe people and birds etc., regardless whether it is my own city or a city that I visited as a tourist. But it seems this is precisely the one thing you can't do in SA safely.
Living behind a high wall, I would feel like an expensive prisoner. But maybe I wouldn't miss the freedom to roam, if I never experienced it in my life.
Yes, that's also why I don't live in a security complex. Many people don't, but there are many people who just want that extra safety factor.
Also, the higher-end security estates are massive - you effectively have your own park (or golf course) in the estate, so that may lessen some of that. Those places are expensive, but probably still much less than a comparable house in the US or Europe.
And in cities there are places where it's safe enough to just walk around like you mentioned, but safety is something that's typically on your mind wherever you go.
But not being able to just go where I want without considering safety, and not having my kids being able to just walk around or use public transport without fearing their safety - that is a big factor in making me consider emigrating.
Traveling wise I think it is common knowledge where the more unsafe areas are. There is always some overhanging tension living in SA, particularly in the more urban areas.
Middle class and up households often pay private security companies who patrol suburbs in branded hatchbacks and respond to alarms, etc. Robberies still happen regularly, but it helps. Complexes and gated communities are also more common. Almost all windows on houses are barred and people have security gates for their doors, and many properties have high fences, alarm systems, etc. (which don't really work because of the power problems but c'est la vie).
Hiking wise: it depends on the area and how many other people are hiking I think. I think that also applies to walking around generally.
Some households and businesses have generators, but they don't provide a high quality current, are noisy, and require diesel. Other places have inverters and batteries (like me) which charge during off-peak hours and act like a UPS when the power goes off. Quite a few households are going with solar roofs with an inverter and battery. All these things are fairly pricey even for middle class families, and quite a large percentage of the population is quite poor - so I don't think most people do have a good solution - but internet services are fully battery backed at least and many people have gas power for cooking (which helps).
Quite a substantial part of the SA grid is backed by diesel - it is worth bearing in mind that we are geopolitically quite "neutral" and still do business with Russia (who are a trade partner under BRICS - south africa is the S). Air pollution here is higher than in most US cities I think but not as bad as some other developing nations.
Redeeming qualities: I do have pretty good buying power in SA, the weather is great,and it is quite a multicultural place with friendly people by and large.
To my knowledge the rate of black on black violent crime is higher than black on white crime - SA has a general problem of violent crime. Its definitely a problem but a pogrom specifically is not a chief concern for me.