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Street Savvy in Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch is a vibrant university town, shaped by energy, movement, and a cosmopolitan rhythm. Like any destination of its kind, it is best experienced with a sense of awareness and ease.

A few simple habits go a long way. Keep valuables close, be mindful when using ATMs, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. These are small considerations that allow you to move through the town with confidence.

For most visitors, Stellenbosch is exactly what it should be, welcoming, engaging, and easy to enjoy. A little awareness simply ensures that your experience remains just that.

Emergency numbers

Watch Out for Scams

Yes, Stellenbosch, unfortunately, has scamsters from time to time. Be wary of:

  • People offering a permit to walk in the street
  • Paying for parking at an ATM
  • People offering a permit to take photos of specific sites
  • Stay polite but firm. A simple “No, thanks” and walking away works best.
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Safety Tips

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Give Responsibly

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On the streets

  • Walk with confidence and be alert if you have to use your cell phone while on the move.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Don’t walk in deserted or dark areas.
  • Watch out for sudden activity or commotion; it may be a distraction technique.
  • Keep all possessions close to your body and in sight.
  • Do not leave belongings such as a wallet, cell phone or handbag on restaurant tables or the floor.
  • Don’t carry large sums of money and avoid counting it in the open.
  • Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

Parking

Street-side parking is payable Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm and 8am to 2pm on Saturdays. Parking is payable by bank card ( Mastercard / VISA ) or Apple Pay to a uniformed, official parking attendant with a card machine. Street-side parking in Stellenbosch is free after 5pm weekdays, after 2pm on Saturdays and free on Sundays and public holidays.

Should you encounter individuals charging for parking outside of operational hours or wanting to assist with payment via ATM, decline and walk away.

After-hours or informal car guards are usually self-employed and work for tips. Tipping is completely voluntary and at your discretion.

Parking is not paid in cash or via an ATM. If you are approached by an informal guard (often wearing a yellow bib) and asked to pay in cash or via the ATM, decline and move away, either to where there are more people around or into your car.

ATM’s

Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club and Apple Pay are widely accepted with more and more businesses going cashless. If you feel that you still need cash, here are a few handy tips to keep you and your money safe:

  • Don’t accept help from strangers or give out your pin, not even to persons claiming to be bank officials.
  • Stand as close as possible to the ATM so no one can distract you or look over your shoulder when you are typing in your pin.
  • Neither parking nor anything else is payable via ATM.
  • Be wary of strangers that may call you back to the ATM to complete a transaction.
  • Never leave your card in the ATM. If it gets stuck or swallowed, follow the instructions provided on the ATM machine.
  • Once cash has been withdrawn, immediately place it out of sight.
  • Use ATMs in well-lit places.
  • Set a realistic daily limit on your ATM banking.

Beggars

Stellenbosch is a town where giving responsibly is encouraged. Instead of giving money (that is often used to pay for alcohol or drugs) give a Heartflow coupon that can be exchanged for a night in the shelter or a plate of food.

Visitors can purchase coupons from participating outlets and restaurants for R10. Visit https://giveresponsibly.visitstellenbosch.org for more information.

 

How to deal with begging:

  • If persistent, make eye contact and say “No, please leave me alone” firmly and clearly.
  • If you feel uncomfortable in any way within the CBD, find a security guard (EPP guards are dressed in black) and ask for assistance.
Law Enforcement and Police

Out and About

  • Don’t leave handbag on floor
  • Don’t leave cellphones on tables
  • Keep credit/bank cards in sight when paying
  • Don’t leave drinks unattended

In the car

  • Have your keys ready as you approach your car.
  • Always lock your doors and double check the handles manually, locking your car, to avoid remote jamming.
  • Park in well-lit areas.
  • Never give lifts to strangers or open your window when approached.
  • Be aware of strangers begging at intersections and avoid giving them money. Rather GIVE RESPONSIBLY by donating to a known charity.
  • If you think you are being followed, drive to a busy place or a police station.
  • Keep your valuables out of sight – rather put them in the boot before you start your trip.

Hotel Safety

  • Place your valuables and passport in the hotel safe.
  • Never leave your personal property unattended.
  • Lock the door when you are in your room.
  • Check who is at the door before opening it.

General

  • Listen to your instincts
  • Keep cellphone fully charged
  • Save emergency numbers on phone
  • Keep copies of documents in safe

Victim of Crime?

  • Stay Calm, dont panic
  • Memorise as many details as possible
  • Go to the nearest safe / public place
  • Don’t resist, follow all instructions
  • Report to Police Station (SAPS)

Health and medical information
for Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch is well supported by a network of both private and public healthcare facilities, offering access to quality medical care when needed.

For visitors, travel insurance is recommended, as it provides access to private hospitals and clinics, including leading providers such as Netcare and Mediclinic. These facilities offer a high standard of care and are widely used by both locals and travellers.

Public healthcare is also available, and can be accessed regardless of nationality or travel status. Whether your stay is planned or unexpected, care is within reach, allowing you to focus on what matters most, your time in Stellenbosch.

Medical numbers

Discover Transport

There are a few different ways to get around Stellenbosch, depending on your budget and needs. If you’re travelling on a tight budget, the best option is to use the bus system. Bus tickets are relatively cheap, and you can use them to get around the city quite easily.

Transport Companies

CAB OR TAXI

Visitors to Stellenbosch can make use of metered taxi cabs or ride-sharing services like Uber which are easy to find near the airport or major attractions in and around the city. Both options offer convenient transportation around the city to get to and from popular tourist destinations.

CAR HIRE

Use local car hire companies to rent a car and explore the city on your own schedule. There are many rental companies to choose from, offering a range of vehicle sizes and classes. It is a convenient and flexible option to easily visit different parts of the city and popular tourist destinations.

BICYCLE

Stellenbosch is a bike-friendly city with a variety of options for visitors looking to explore the city by bicycle. Several rental companies offer daily, weekly, or monthly rentals, as well as guided tours. The city also has an extensive network of dedicated bike lanes and routes, making for safe easy travel.

MINI BUS TAXI

To travel like a local, hop on a minibus taxi for a memorable ride. They can be found on main roads, Railway Stations and at taxi ranks in the suburbs and townships. Expect local kwaito to be blaring and the ‘gaatjie’ (pronounced gaa-chi), or door operator, to be ready with clever commentary.

The Responsible Tourism journey

StreetSavvy Stellenbosch is the official source of information to help Stellenbosch on its journey to being a truly responsible tourism destination, while maintaining its reputation for world-class tourism .We believe that sustainable development and tourism go hand-in-hand and we’ve identified eight responsible tourism priorities that will take us to true sustainability. We’ve put together a collection of tools and resources to help businesses operate responsibly and to give visitors the information they need to travel responsibly.

What is Accessibility?

The term “accessible” refers to the quality or state of being easily reached, used, understood, or approached by a person, especially someone with disabilities.
Accessibility can apply to various contexts, including physical spaces, digital content, information, services, and more.

Loadshedding

  • What is loadshedding?

    Loadshedding is another term for rolling blackouts and power cuts. Load-shedding happens when there’s a huge demand on the national power grid, leading to the interruption of the electricity supply to the country. Loadshedding discontinues the power supply to certain areas, according to a schedule, to allow the power utility to get failed generation units back online. Load-shedding is implemented in stages and depends on the extent of the shortage of electricity generation.

    Note: Stellenbosch only implements load-shedding when instructed by Eskom’s National Control Centre. The decision to implement loadshedding is therefore beyond Stellenbosch’s control and often at short notice