Step
5: Please Note: The "Namibia-1on1-group" sites are all about
relevant information that you, as a prospective visitor to the Southern
African Region, should be made aware of, and I think it would be negligent
of me to omit the following warnings. However, the below information is in
no way intended to deter you from visiting here. It is simply to make you
aware of the some of the dangers that exist. This is Africa, and you would
be wise to adopt the attitude that even most of the animals have to, "Stay
alert at all times as there are 2-legged predators at around."
South Africa and Namibia are two beautiful and wonderful
countries with breathtaking scenery. It's a special part of
Africa. Apart from the criminal element you'll generally
find us, regardless of colour or creed, to be a fun loving,
friendly and helpful people, so come - enjoy us and the lands
that we love, so much. We wouldn't live anywhere else!
South Africa
Many overseas visitors to Namibia transit
through South Africa either landing in Cape Town or
Johannesburg. The following information should be read and
understood.
Johannesburg's Oliver Tambo International
Airport: The busiest airport in Africa. Modern, with all the
fancy tiling and cosmetic decor to lull you into thinking that
you have arrived in a place that functions efficiently. Do not
be fooled. This airport is a National Disgrace insomuch that ...
Your baggage simply isn't safe. The 'convenient' problem
is that more than one companies are involved in the baggage
handling, thus they all blame the other, and nobody, not even
the Airport Authority who outsourced the task to these companies
will listen to your complaint. Typically, nobody wants to be held
accountable or responsible for honesty and integrity. Following
announcements that the problem was being attended to, there has
been a nearly 40% increase in baggage theft during the past
year.
British Airways / Comair took the initiative to handle their
passengers' baggage by themselves. The theft rate of their
passengers baggage has seen a dramatic decrease and they seem to
be leading the field at the moment.
My strong recommendation is that you only make use of good
quality baggage that can be securely locked. Using baggage that
close by the use of a zip having a cheap lock could lead you
into deep problems.
Car Hi-Jacking: South Africa, and particularly
the Western Cape and Johannesburg surrounding area, in some perverted way,
sports the macho-image of being the car-Hi-Jack-Capital of the
world. Be warned. Hi-Jackers in South Africa are usually armed
with either hand-guns or military assault rifles (AK47s). It is
difficult to give advice as to what actions you should take if
you fall into this most unfortunate of predicaments. Remember
that down here, a life is worth nothing. People get shot and
killed, just for fun, so please be careful. Don't pull over onto
the road-side. Don't allow a car to pull along-side you and then
try to push you off the road. Drive defensively and remember
your vehicle, if used correctly can be used as a pretty
formidable defensive weapon if needs demand. A dent or two (or
even worse) could be better than the alternative. Should you
find yourself in the unfortunate situation of peering down the
wrong end of a gun barrel, then possibly the approach of,
"OK. Take my car and goods, but leave us alive", is the most
pragmatic.
Plan Your Route: If you haven't got a map of the
Cities you are visiting you are strongly advised to get one
up-front and thus pre-plan the routes you will be taking. If you
have a travelling partner with you who can act as a good
navigator, you should work together as a team. The Golden Rule
is Do Not Get Lost and pull over to the side of the road to ask
directions. Never allow a group of people to surround your car
when you stop.
Driving in Cape Town: As you leave the Cape Town
Airport you will access the N2 Freeway that runs between
Somerset West and Cape Town. You will see thousands of squatter
dwellings along-side the Freeway. The mass migrations of rural
dwellers to the city's surrounding areas have brought with them
imported unemployment, poverty and thus an increased and
unchecked crime level. This stretch of road is dangerous. You
must not pull over and stop on the side of this road. The
chances of you being mugged or even worse, if you stop are
considerable, so beware.
Driving in Johannesburg Area: This area is the
business hub of South Africa. It is busy, fast moving, and
aggressive. Your driving skills will have to meet these
requirements. Avoid the business rush hour traffic, if at all
possible.
Consider this: All of the nice friendly South
Africans that you will be meeting have, over the past 10 years
or so, of the 'New South Africa" have had to learn to live with
this lawlessness as part of their daily lives, and in the
knowledge that the existing situation isn't going to be 'put
right'. You, as a visitor, just want to 'get on' with your
vacation, so my advice is, once again, 'Stay alert at all times
as their are 2-legged predators around'.
Law and The African Judicial Systems: A casual study
would reveal that the collapse, appears to be either a lack of "Political
Will" or just simply a lack of capability to make the system work. In Africa
things tend to go rotten from the top down. It's reckoned that over 80% of
crimes for which charges are laid and cases opened never even get to court
(and these include: murders, rapes, armed robbery, hi-jacking, assaults
etc.)
Namibia
The situation in Namibia is not as bad as in
South Africa. However, keep the above in mind. Crime has also been a boom industry here
for more than a decade, and along with this general state of
lawlessness there has also been a boom in industries supplying
all kinds of security services from the latest electronic
surveillance equipment, manufacturers of burglar bars and gates,
and the supply of security guards. You'll see the latter just
about everywhere.
Taxis in Namibia: In Windhoek, the local Taxi-Drivers-Association
estimate that about 60% of taxis operating are illegal. Many of these
vehicles are involved in crime and used as get-away cars, and there are
instances where tourists have been mugged and sometimes assaulted. If you
intend using taxis in Windhoek, the management of the accommodation
establishment where you will be staying can advise you of a reputable
service. Alternatively you could print out the Shuttle Operator page from
our Namibia-Tour-Guide site (link below)
Golden
Rule: Always negotiate and firmly establish the price
of the ride before you get in the taxi or shuttle bus. I have spoken to many
tourist who have been charged up to 5 times the accepted cost of the ride.
Self Drivers:
If you are on a self drive holiday, you should remove
all goods from the passenger area of the car and place them in the
trunk, where they can't be seen, when leaving the vehicle parked and
locked. In the larger Namibia towns you may be approached by a person
offering to 'Guard your vehicle while you are going shopping or to a
restaurant'. Make sure that these persons are 'Car-Guards' they should
be wearing an SMOCK bearing the name of the organization they represent.
Car Guards and "How much should I tip them. "How much should we tip them?" ask the
visitors. If I go into a shop for 30 minutes or so I pay them
one-Namibia-Dollar (1NAD) . If I go into a restaurant and take a
couple of hours I pay them five-Namibia-Dollar (5NAD).
OK. That's the bad-news, and it's usually outweighed with the good, so
now you can get on with the planning of your holiday.
