Pretoria Travel Forum

Hello,
I am french girl, 21 years old..and im planing to go alone for a 6 months intership in pretoria. A lot of people around me are freaking out, saying that it is too dangerous...i read a lot of stuff about south africa and pretoria and to me it doesnt seem to be that bad.. i guess there is some major security rules to respect but it is generally ok...?
I would like to have the point of view of somebody who lives there? because i dont how to convince people that i'll be fine...
thank you very much...

this site may be of some help to you . look here for the link for south africa and pretoria. (www.towd.com )

Morning.

You will have a fantastic time. I have lived in Pretoria for the oast 25 years. I have 2 daughters, aged 18 and 20. They each have there own car, and drive around at night with a friend or alone. Ye, crime is a problem, but there are areas that I never visit, and some areas I have never visited in 25 years.
The city centre has become a area that is not recommended to stay in. The major businesses all moved into the huge shoppong malls we have in many of the suburbs.

There are some general safety rules that you need to apply, and you need to be aware of risks in certain areas. If you are coming to one of Pretoria's hospitals, you will learn more in 6 months, than many in other countrys will learn in 6 years.

If you would like more specific info, drop me an e-mail, and I will gladly respond on every point raised.Yes, there are some problems in our country, but many are being addressed on a daily basis.

The 2010 soccer world cup will be held here, and there have been numerous visits to check progress, and FIFA are happy with the situation.

Regards

Mike

Bonjour . A friend of mine (also French) had the same concerns about his daughter who spent 6 months in Pretoria this year as part of her masters degree studies. She loved it. I will email you her details and you can check with her directly on her experience. She is now back in France.