South Africa (Durban area), would you risk it?

[Tokoloshe]

We're thinking of Durban as our next holiday, and have been a number of times myself before, but with two young children now I cant get my head around the risks associated with the place.

My main fears are getting car jacked, with the two kids in child seats and not much time to negotiate getting them out, or a house robbery which usually end in violence.

I lived there for years and if it was just me I would go on holiday without a second thought, but looking after myself is totally different to now looking after a wife and two kids as well.

A house nearby my family's was burgelled just the other day, and a family friend murdered in her home by the two people doing her gardening!! and as we would be in residential areas (for cost reasons and to stay with family) we wouldnt be in the usual protected holiday zones.

I hear loads of bad, but then I hear lots of good, and a lot of people think Im totally overeacting, millions of people have family holidays over there, but I cant shake the nagging doubt of waking up to find the house being broken into, with two kids to try and keep out of the melee that would follow, or getting car jacked, Ive looked after myself in situations like that before, but it makes me terrified to think my kids could end up in that situation.

So am I worrying too much or is SA becomming more of a no go country for holidays?

Edit: Even reading that back, I dont think we're going, I dont think Id relax, but if anyones been recently or lives there and can offer an opinion Id like to hear it.

[Pints]

I refuse to take my two girls back there for a holiday, for the reasons you outline.

The grandparents know that if they want to see them, they need to come over here. I'm even prepared to help pay for flights, etc.

My children are just too important to risk exposing them to that crime-ridden hole. Read iol.co.za or news24.com to get an idea of just how many murders, rapes, hi-jackings go on in that country every day. Then remember that most are never reported in the news, while others aren't even reported to the police.

[Kudos]

I worked out there for a few months (security industry) and never had any problems. Stayed up at Umhlanga rocks (sic?) and found it very nice indeed.

I was warned off the beach front area, so never went near it. Obviously take precautions e.g. drive with doors locked, avoid stopping at lights at night (drive up slowly, always keep car moving) etc.

Lovely place, nice climate and cheap food/beer. I'd go with my wee one with no hesitation.

[Puggit]

Stayed in a beach front hotel 2 years ago - was told by the hotel staff not to go out on the front at night.

I've spent weeks on end in SA over the past few years on business, and never seen any problems.

Take the kids? No chance.

[Melman Giraffe]

My Uncle lives in Cape Town. We take the kids every year (age 4 & 8) no problems at all, infact we love it. Not sure about Durban and we wouldn't go to Jo'burg!!

[rossw46]

Not too sure if I'd go to durban anymore...

When I was younger I used to go to Margate and Ramsgate (about 1h30 south of durban) quite often on holidays,absolutely beautiful!
Last time I was there was late 2003,so not too sure what its like now?

[Pints]

The problem is that it's statistically a case of when you'll be a victim of crime in South Africa, not if.

[v15ben]

It is definitely risky. I have family in Jo'burg and both my cousins there have been car jacked (one of them twice) and they've had various stuff stolen from their house. I also have family living just outside Durban and they haven't had any issues. When my cousin and her family visited them last year with their young daughter they didn't have any security issues at all.

[Bing o]

It's full of blicks.

[Melman Giraffe]

Bing o said:

It's full of blicks.

That was a well thought out and constructed reply