About south africa?

A good while back at a ski resort i was host for my companys international employees.I became close with 2 young ladies from south africa.at first they didnt talk much about home but began to tell me stories how it had changed .they said was common and in general crime had gone up,along with the murder rate sense the control of the goverment had changed.id like to hear from people who have actually been there or have family there who can tell me how it really is and why.