Unfortunately crime is a reality in South Africa, and we strongly recommend that our staff do not walk alone after dark, even on winter evenings when the sun sets earlier. More useful tips on safety will be given during Orientation.
Staff will receive the gate code to the main campus upon arrival (which is the same code for our other buildings- e.g. The Rock). Help us keep our community safe by not sharing the code with anyone outside of YWAM Muizenberg staff and students and keeping our gates shut at all times.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
Add these to your cell phone for reference as needed:
Mountain Men — +27 0861 070 000 (toll free)
Muizenberg Police Station — 10111 / +27 021 787 9000 / +27 021 787 9014
Fire / Accidents / Natural Disasters — 112 on a cell phone 107 on a landline
Fire Brigade Control Centre — +27 021 590 1971 / emergencies +27 021 480 7700
Cape Medical Response (Ambulance) — +27 082 782 4444 (YWAM code: 4932)
Shastry Amsterdam (On Campus Staff) — +27 678905519
Tim Zakhary (Campus Director) — +27 (071) 425-6186
Dave Peters (Member Care) — +27 (83) 353-6081
Advice for Staying Safe:
At the Airport: Make sure your bags and luggage have locks and name tags. Do not allow people to tamper with your bags. When seeking directions, proceed to marked information counters only.
At Your Accommodation: Never leave your luggage unattended unless it is locked away in your room. Store valuables in the safety deposit box. Keep your room locked. If someone knocks, check who it is before opening the door— don’t open unless you know then or recognize them. Look for locations to stay that have burglar bars and gates for safety.
Uber: Uber has become a normal way of transport in Cape Town area. It is fairly safe to book an uber, but please travel in groups. Download the Uber app and you are good to go. Make sure that their license plate and photo match up with the driver and share your trip with a trusted local friend.
In Your Vehicle: Plan your route in advance. Keep the doors locked and wind the windows up at all times. Do not leave your mobile phone or other valuables where they are visible from outside the vehicle - this includes purses and backpacks while you drive as “smash and grabs” do happen throughout Cape Town. Lock valuable items, purses, backpacks, etc. in the boot (trunk) before your departure. At night, park in well-lit areas. Never pick up strangers or hitchhikers.
Car Guards:
In the suburbs (where Muizenberg is for example) you will come across “car guards”- the common practice is to tip them when you return to your car. Tipping a coin or two for this service allows these individuals to work.
More into Cape Town city centre there are city-employed car guards (they wear blue vests) who come to your car when you park, you tell them how long you’ll be there and pre-pay for that amount of time (though you can estimate the lowest likely time, and then just pay extra when you return if you go over time), and they have a receipt for you. These are different from the individuals who you tip a coin or two when you return. For most of the main streets in the city centre, in business hours, there are the official ones.
On the Street: Avoid an ostentatious display of expensive jewellery, cameras, mobile phones and other valuables. Keep your handbag with you, keep it closed or zipped, and do not leave it or your phone unattended (not in a shopping cart, at a coffee shop, etc). Don’t use a large purse or backpack. Do not carry large sums of money with you. Carry your wallet and phone in an inside pocket – never in the rear pocket of your trousers. Credit card transactions must be processed in your presence. It is always better to explore in groups and to stick to well-lit, busy streets. Plan your route beforehand and, as far as possible, do not ask directions from strangers.
On Hiking Trails: In the interest of personal safety and having assistance in the case of a physical or medical emergency, it is advisable to explore trails in groups. Steer away from isolated areas unless accompanied by a guide. Safe trails for evening walks and runs in the Mother City
Trains: Muizenberg has two train stations - Muizenberg Station and False Bay Station. During the week there are regular trains running from Cape Town to Simon’s Town. Never travel alone. Please make sure that you always travel in a carriage with lots of other people (preferably 3rd class). The trains are not safe after dark, so plan your journey to make sure that you can arrive at your destination before dark. Don’t display valuables (cell phone, money, etc.). The time table is HERE.
