Are buses safe in Joburg

Taritta, the public transport in Johannesburg is not up to scratch and I would highly recommend that you hire a car for the duration of your stay. Mini-bus taxis are by far the most common form of transport and they have set routes and are mostly packed to capacity. Buses also have set routes but are not the most reliable or regular. Taxi cabs (the kind you phone and they come to pick you up) are expensive. Taxis do not cruise around looking for fares, they sit and wait at taxi ranks.
If I remember correctly, you will be staying at a Pension Idube in Aukland Park. I have not seen it, but the area is near a university and is very conveniently located. You may well be able to manage without your own transport, but you will be severely limiting your ability to visit many of the attractions in and around Johannesburg.
Rudi

Metered taxis in Jo'burg usually charge R8 per kilometre. So as Rudi says, by S.A. standards (and those of many visitors) expensive.

some hostel offer also a service of shuttle for a better price than taxis.

i wont travel on the mini bus taxis... they are unsafe. Poorly maintained and ive read countless reports of horrible crimes occurring with people riding those taxis.
I have traveled in one or two, but im not a women and they seldom rape men here.

Im in this country, people dampen crime levels by word so not to scare of people. Im not trying to scare anyone, just saying... chances of something bad happening when using one of those taxis are much higher than other methods.

I would also avoid using them, the cost of a taxi is worth it, apart from anything else it takes you door to dor, there are bits of jo'burg you don'twant to walk around.

Don't use buses or mini buses - they're not worth the risk. Taxis are not overly expensive for the peace of mind they offer - if you end up at Diamond Diggers, they have a couple of drivers that shuttle you around the city when needed for less than the taxi as well... Another great thing about DD!! I wouldn't recommend driving around the city either - not safe as a single female - you'll be a target, and the road rules don't seem to apply either!!

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<hr>I wouldn't recommend driving around the city either - not safe as a single female - you'll be a target, and the road rules don't seem to apply either!!<hr></blockquote>
That is undiluted bullshit, rastus.

i would say i half agree on that statement.
if you drive at the area around park station, then yes... it can be dangerous. But most other ares are ok.

Just remember, 27 000 people are killed each year in south-africa. We are rated the 3rd most dangerous country in the world, the 2 above us are countries in war...
so yes... this place is hairy. Very hairy.

But you should be fine unless you get killed...

I think it depends on where exactly you are going within the city. I am a female (white, American) who lived in Jozi for over a year. I took minivans taxis all over the city simply because they are cheap and go absolutely anywhere you might like to go. For longer treks around the country I opted for buses and sometimes rental cars because they are much safer. I would say only take minivans after you have a good feel for the city, know where exactly you are going etc. If you take them at all, do so with a friend who uses them reg'ly first. By the way, I also drove a car around town on many occasions and cannot believe someone would actually suggest that is not something a female should do! Give me a break!!! Jozi is a great city if you just her a chance. Don't let fear ruin your time there--be smart, cautious but not afraid.