Can I inquire about where you are staying in SA?

I usually let the locals set me up, assuming they know best in terms of location, value for money, arrangements with hotels etc. Problems only arise when your and locals' standards and/or expectations do not parallel each other perfectly... but I have not had any problems so far, so maybe others have more concrete advice. If things are not perfect, usually the benefits of the local knowledge have cancelled any negative expectations on my part.

Agree SA is not really third world... there is certainly a third world element, but certainly not where tourists and business types go. Places like Sandton put many places in the first world to shame (in terms of wealth).