I adhered to the warnings, much as I'm sure you do. No jewelry, no purse hanging, keeping the vehicle guarded, etc. If one's up for it, I recommend getting out of Sandton and the "safe" tourist havens as there are things to see downtown. But to pretend Johannesburg is as safe as anyplace else or is safe because I had one positive experience is silly. But certainly, as a tourist, you're more likely to experience a property crime, not a violent one.

To those who thought my driver was over-reacting ...I contacted about six drivers ...he was the only one willing to go where I wanted him to downtown and to get out of the car and walk. I don't think he'd done it before, but at least he didn't say no as the others did. Even a driver I had later who lives in Soweto told me he would not take a tourist to the places downtown I wanted to go.