Traveling wise I think it is common knowledge where the more unsafe areas are. There is always some overhanging tension living in SA, particularly in the more urban areas.
Middle class and up households often pay private security companies who patrol suburbs in branded hatchbacks and respond to alarms, etc. Robberies still happen regularly, but it helps. Complexes and gated communities are also more common. Almost all windows on houses are barred and people have security gates for their doors, and many properties have high fences, alarm systems, etc. (which don't really work because of the power problems but c'est la vie).
Hiking wise: it depends on the area and how many other people are hiking I think. I think that also applies to walking around generally.
Some households and businesses have generators, but they don't provide a high quality current, are noisy, and require diesel. Other places have inverters and batteries (like me) which charge during off-peak hours and act like a UPS when the power goes off. Quite a few households are going with solar roofs with an inverter and battery. All these things are fairly pricey even for middle class families, and quite a large percentage of the population is quite poor - so I don't think most people do have a good solution - but internet services are fully battery backed at least and many people have gas power for cooking (which helps).
Quite a substantial part of the SA grid is backed by diesel - it is worth bearing in mind that we are geopolitically quite "neutral" and still do business with Russia (who are a trade partner under BRICS - south africa is the S). Air pollution here is higher than in most US cities I think but not as bad as some other developing nations.
Middle class and up households often pay private security companies who patrol suburbs in branded hatchbacks and respond to alarms, etc. Robberies still happen regularly, but it helps. Complexes and gated communities are also more common. Almost all windows on houses are barred and people have security gates for their doors, and many properties have high fences, alarm systems, etc. (which don't really work because of the power problems but c'est la vie).
Hiking wise: it depends on the area and how many other people are hiking I think. I think that also applies to walking around generally.
Some households and businesses have generators, but they don't provide a high quality current, are noisy, and require diesel. Other places have inverters and batteries (like me) which charge during off-peak hours and act like a UPS when the power goes off. Quite a few households are going with solar roofs with an inverter and battery. All these things are fairly pricey even for middle class families, and quite a large percentage of the population is quite poor - so I don't think most people do have a good solution - but internet services are fully battery backed at least and many people have gas power for cooking (which helps).
Quite a substantial part of the SA grid is backed by diesel - it is worth bearing in mind that we are geopolitically quite "neutral" and still do business with Russia (who are a trade partner under BRICS - south africa is the S). Air pollution here is higher than in most US cities I think but not as bad as some other developing nations.