Safety

Undoubtedly, many of you (and your parents) have concerns about traveling to southern Africa. We want to assure you that the Center for Global Education and Experience keeps a very close watch on the situation in the region. CGEE – Namibia and Minneapolis staff are in regular contact with the local U.S. consular service regarding security concerns throughout Namibia and the region. Since 1982 the CGEE has led over 1,900 travel seminars for more than 20,000 participants to Central America, Mexico, the Middle East, South America, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and the Philippines. We have therefore gained a great deal of expertise in travel to countries in the global south. We will not hesitate to cancel or to re-route any trip should something occur that makes it appear unsafe to travel there.

Having said that, you should come on the program prepared to take the kind of personal security precautions you would in any major city, such as using a concealed money belt, not carrying your camera around your neck, etc. More specific guidelines for safety will be discussed in detail during your orientation session.

If you or your parents are concerned, feel free to call the CGEE office in Minneapolis, and we will be glad to respond to any questions or concerns.

For most of the semester, you will be together with the rest of the group. As you consider additional travel during the program, we pass along the following information about personal safety. We do this not to alarm you, but to give you a sense of the culture in which you will be living. This is for all participants, and especially women.  

Petty muggings have been fairly common in Windhoek.  While violent crime most often happens to people who are known to the perpetrator, petty muggings and theft are fairly common occurrences. You should be prepared to walk in groups as much as possible, only travel in trusted taxis at night and be aware of your surroundings and possessions at all times.  This includes not using headphones when out walking/running as this gives potential thieves a clear signal that you are not able to hear their approach and also have something valuable that they can take.

This also includes avoiding carrying purses and backpacks, but if necessary to carry them, keep one hand on them at all times.  You should always carefully consider what you need to take with you and only take the amount of cash necessary for your planned activities, leaving cameras, passports, and credit cards at home if not necessary.

Credit card/ATM card fraud has become quite common.  You should never let your cards out of your sight for even a moment, even when handing it to a cashier.  If the cashier needs to go to another area to swipe the card, you should go with your card so that it is in your sight at all times.  Distracting and confusing people at ATMs is also becoming very common. You should plan to use ATMs in groups, but if you find someone attempting to disturb you, you can hit “cancel,” take your card and leave the scene immediately.  

All forms of crime become easier for criminals when the victim has been consuming alcohol.  If you choose to consume alcohol, you should do so at your own risk, recognizing that the warning signs of danger may be different in a different context, and harder to notice with even a small amount of alcohol in your body.  In the past, students have made agreements with friends so that a sober friend can help other friends to make smart choices when consuming alcohol. Unfortunately, date rape drugs are also present in Namibia, so you should also keep a close eye on your beverage whenever drinking in public places.

Regardless of race or ethnicity, sexism is common in southern Africa. As in many parts of the world, the rights of women, while existing in many legal documents (including Namibia's constitution), are not generally accepted throughout society. While there is a growing movement to create awareness of the needs and rights of women, and although attitudes may appear more liberal in the cities, statistics for sexual assault are striking and could be seen as an indicator of social attitudes towards women.

Women should be prepared for a certain amount of cat-calls, being pressured to date, and sexual advances. Common sense and caution, particularly at night, are essential.

Hitchhiking is not safe, especially for women, or if it appears you might be a foreigner and carrying valuables. It is therefore recommended that travel be conducted through public services during the daytime and in groups. The CGEE – Namibia staff highly recommends that students use public transport (radio taxis) during the night, and will provide students with phone numbers for reliable taxi services. More information related to particular areas to which you may consider traveling will be available from the CGEE – Namibia staff and other Namibians you come to know. If you or your parents are especially concerned, feel free to call the CGEE office in Minneapolis, and we will be glad to talk to you or your family members further.

Although in some states in the U.S. it is legal to purchase and use cannabis products, 

Marijuana is still an illegal drug in Namibia and South Africa and is strictly forbidden.  

Any students who use it or any other illegal drug while in Namibia and South Africa will be sent home at their own expense, as illegal drug use can jeopardize the university’s legal status in this country and the student’s own safety.

Security Measures Instituted by CGEE – Namibia

• Emergency Contact Cards. You will be given a credit-card-sized emergency contact card to carry at all times. The card includes the phone numbers for lodgings, cell phone number of CGEE staff members, and emergency numbers (police, hospitals, ambulance, etc.). Additionally, the card has phone numbers for local trusted taxi companies.  

• Safe Taxis. As mentioned above, you are encouraged to only take dial-a-cab taxis at night.  “Street taxis” charge per seat and thus you may be riding with three strangers plus the driver.  “Dial-a-Cab taxis” charge per car thus it will only be you, your friends, and the driver in the car.  Dial-a-Cab taxis are considered much safer than street taxis, especially at night.

• It is very important that our staff be able to reach you in case of an emergency. Therefore, you are required to complete a Travel Information Form and give it to the CGEE staff before you travel outside of Windhoek.

• Safes. We do NOT recommend carrying passports with you, and therefore we have a safe in our office where participants can keep passports and other valuables locked away during their time in Windhoek.  You will be given a police-certified copy of your passport and visa to carry with you. Participants will have access to the safe during their stay during office hours. There are also lockers in each room.  You should bring a lock in order to be able to lock your valuables in your room.

• Cell Phones. CGEE has cell phones that you can use during the semester. You only need to pay a US $20 (N$200) deposit which you will get back when you return the phone. You will need to add money to the phone to call friends and family, as there is currently just enough money on each phone to make emergency calls. Each cell phone has several phone numbers programmed on it so that participants may quickly call staff members in case of emergency.

• On-Call System. Every week there is a designated “on-call” staff member who carries with her/him our “on-call cell phone.” This staff member can be reached at any time of the day/night to assist in any urgent situation. The phone numbers for the ‘on call cell phones’ are +264818144923 and +264814422996 and are widely distributed (signs around the houses, listed on participants' schedules and emergency contact cards, taught at orientation, loaded into student cell phones, etc.). Students will also have all staff’s personal cell phone numbers in case the emergency cell phone does not work.

• Electric Fence & Alarm System: The CGEE house has a high brick wall with an electric fence and Alarm above it surrounding the property.  You will have a key to the gate to come and go as you like, but you must keep the gate locked at all times.  No one unknown to you should ever be allowed inside. Students will be responsible for their visitors at all times.  All visitors must stay in common areas (living room, pool area, etc.) the center is also fitted with panic buttons.