By Kotie Geldenhuys
Photos/images courtesy of Freepik and Unsplash
As South African cities continue to grow, so do the challenges that threaten the safety of their inhabitants. From overcrowded transport hubs to poorly lit streets and slow emergency response times, urban spaces can quickly become dangerous. But across the country, new ideas, technology and community-driven solutions are reshaping what it means to live in a safer city, proving that crime prevention is not only about policing, but about smart design, data and people working together. Let’s explore how technology is transforming South African cities to become safer for everyone.
Cities around the world are expanding at unprecedented rates and South Africa is no exception. With more people moving to urban areas each year, cities face mounting pressures: traffic jams, rising crime, growing poverty and overstretched services. To survive and thrive, many are turning to innovation and technology.
The term “smart city” has become a buzzword in urban development, but it is often misunderstood. Being smart is not about flashy tech; it is about how a city uses information, infrastructure and institutions to make life better for its people (Bowe, 2026).
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[This is only an extract of an article published in Servamus: March 2026. This article is available for purchase.]