The Hindu Business Line : Beauty abounds, so does crime

The lush greenery, the tourism spots and the various peaks offer spectacular view of the ocean and the town below. And, yet, newspapers are full of the rising crime graph.

Rasheeda Bhagat

For a country that is battling with slowing economic growth — about 3.5-4 per cent — high unemployment (23 per cent), rising oil prices and huge power shortages resulting in load shedding that has crippled a section of the mining industry, South Africa presents a picture of a well managed economy.

For instance, the roads in Cape Town are as good as you’re bound to find in the US or any European country; what is more significant, they are devoid of both garbage/clutter and potholes, the traffic is well managed, drivers patiently wait for pedestrians and give way to other drivers. Though there is honking, what is rare is that of the persistent/irritating type one finds at home; the chaos and noise are generally absent on the main roads.

But in the underbelly of such South African cities crime is common; if you stand out as a tourist and are walking alone young boys/men are likely to ask you for money.

Jenine is a 21-year-old freelance journalist and joins the group of local and international journalists who visit Robben Island on a trip organised by Cape Town Routes Unlimited. So, as a young woman, does she feel safe in the city?

“No, I don’t; there are many areas in Cape Town where I dare not go alone, and certainly not in the dark. You never know who is watching you. Rape is common and what is most frightening is that you are likely to be targeted by people who know you and watch your movements. Most rapes take place when women are going back after parties or discos,” is her chilling reply.

“Well, that is true,” says Conroy Gabriels, our tour guide. “There are certain localities in this city that tourists should avoid. But if you behave sensibly and don’t go out alone, this is a great city for tourists.”

That it is… as picturesque, green and blue as it can be. A drive along the coast around the Cape of Good Hope is an exhilarating experience. The weather is perfect, the air fresh and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean both green and blue. “On one side where the currents of the Indian Ocean meet the Atlantic, the water is warm – around 21 degrees Centigrade and perfect for swimming… but, on the other side, the Atlantic water is very cold. This is not the right season, in spring you will see hundreds of whales swimming along this coast… tourists never cease to scream when they sight whales; they come all the way from Antartica to give birth to young ones, and stay in these waters for a couple of months,” says Gabriels.

He drives us around in a Toyota Verso but has his eyes peeled on flashy cars, and you find plenty of these on Cape Town’s roads, more flashy models of Mercs and BMWs than we see in our metros. “Oh, look at that Merc,” he points out to an SL 65 AMG convertible; “isn’t she a beauty? It costs around 1.3 million Rands and I always wonder how people can afford these cars. I mean I can hardly get through the month with what I earn… and these people drive around such expensive cars,” says Gabriels, who describes himself a “coloured man…there is a lot of black and white blood mixture in my family”.

The lush greenery, the tourism spots like the beautifully maintained Kirstenbosche National Botanical Garden which stretches over 520 hectares, the Penguins colony at Boulders beach, the Cape Point National Park, the various peaks offering spectacular view of the ocean and the town below and the impressive water front. This is a city getting ready for the 2010 FIFA cup.

And, yet, newspapers are full of the rising crime graph. And, at hotels and restaurants you find a little appeal... just add 5 Rands (about Rs 25) to your bill to help the street children. Oh yes, the country has a huge problem of street children… including those who run away from home to escape from extreme poverty and abuse.

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Beauty abounds, so does crime