No country is immune from terror attacks and we must take every step to safeguard South Africans and our visitors.The recent terror alert from the US and the UK is a warning that we should be more vigilant.The alert said attackers may target sites frequented by US citizens, such as high-end shopping areas and malls in Johannesburg and Cape Town, which are popular with tourists.Gone are the days when you only heard of such warnings in Western countries and the Middle East. The world today is such that we cannot feel safe from acts of terror.South African authorities have managed over the years to thwart terror plots before they were acted upon, but we are also vulnerable to those who seek to impose a new world order.Yesterday our Security Minister, David Mahlobo, assured us there is no immediate danger. He said we should not fear an Islamic terror attack."We remain a strong and stable democratic country and there is no immediate danger posed by the alert."We fully agree with the minister that we should not panic. We should, however, be vigilant and mindful in our public spaces.It is important to plan rather than ignore the warnings coming from our international friends.If we are to remain a relatively safe destination, we should do more to encourage dialogue with those who hold different views from us. Shutting down communication adds to suspicion and creates an environment of fear.What is happening in countries such as Nigeria and Kenya, where civilians are maimed and killed, tells us soft targets are now part of terror plans. Death and destruction in the Middle East and parts of Africa have displaced thousands and have forced entire families to risk their lives in search of a safer life.Our security is linked to working and co-operating with our neighbours.Together we stand a better chance of protecting the lives of our people...