World Cup visitors advised of health risks

Getting mugged is probably not all that good for your health either.

Or getting shot.

The western media has been pretty remarkable in its ability to overblow the crime.

They make RSA sound like Congo.

People go to Brazil annually for holidays, yet Brazil is even more violent than RSA.

I don't go to Brasil or RSA. The RSA is a very violent place, even by African standards. Ever been there?

Unfortunately I have never been there...yet.

I'll go this World Cup and see what all the fuss is about. (OHIP covers malaria shots). Supposedly Durban beach is rated the best beach in the world.

But I've always wondered, if Western tourists can go to Brazil and Venezuela annually by the thousands (millions for Brazil), both of which have higher murders than RSA, then there must be something wrong in our perception. Either that, or to AIDS epidemic has put off the sex tourists.

I spent 2 years of my life in different parts of Africa. I'm not saying don't go to the World Cup but I am saying that South African cities should be considered very dangerous.

If you are cautious and cognizant of the ever present threat, you should be ok but those who think that the Third World is just like home but a bit poorer will end up being victims.

People need to realise a Third world country has entirely different set of rules and South Africa is firmly in the Third world.

The accountability we are used to with police, the law etc is not present. Life is cheap and brutal. Sexual harassment is endemic. Violence is a way of life. Social values are very different.

I'll watch it all on TV. England will disappoint as usual and nobody will try to kill me to get to my Canon 5D2!

While malaria and rift valley fever are serious ailments I would be more concerned with other ailments there, such as machete, AK-47 and rape.

Really? You think they're hot after your ass?

Yeah, I've spent significant time in South Africa. It's more dangerous than people think, even in the bigger cities.

I know plenty of South Africans and it's not '' you're going to be robbed, mugged or car jacked, it's ''.
Gated communities aren't even a sure thing when it comes to safety. While I was on Kinmen, I worked with a few guys from South Africa. While they were over here with their families, they'd all had their houses looted.