Originally Posted by
l'etoile
I find it a bit ironic that almost every poster prior to me said to avoid downtown and stay in the tourist areas such as Sandton (boring). I said I went to downtown Johannesburg, walked around there, had no problems (was the only tourist I saw, btw), but had a driver who was nervous, and I had no problems despite being in areas where a few cops were killed the next day and I'm overstating?
I think what people are responding to in your post was the apparent contradiction of your own experience vs. your repetition of all the dire warnings you received. My experience of downtown Johannesburg, in 11 years of visits, has been completely trouble-free as well; none of my dozens of drivers have refused to stop at red lights, I haven't been carjacked, nor have I been menaced in any way. I did mention the parking issue, which is pretty much the only real concern.
I do go to downtown Jo'burg every time I am in town because I am visiting companies whose offices are there (not everyone has moved to Sandton). That said, I don't see a lot for tourists to do there. I didn't recommend that no one go there.