Random thoughts.
Just to get it out of the way. No. Johannesburg is not safe. Not at all. Do not go there unless you absolutely have to. It's a dump. Nearby Pretoria is dull. Government town.
Cape Town is an absolutely fantastic city, at least it was in 1996.
Things you have to do.
Get up table mountain. But don't leave a specific day for it as sometimes the top is covered by cloud. Actually that's a half day.
Definitely get out to Robben Island. If it's the only thing you do, do that.
We stayed in a hostel out by Green Point. When we partied at Victoria and Albert Waterfront we walked. Downtown we took taxis. I wouldn't consider it safe but never felt threatened either. Nothing like Joburg.
Stellenbosch is a daytrip option if you like your wines.
You can get bus hops along the garden route stopping at different places enroute. We arrived in Port Elizabeth and took about 2 weeks to get to Cape Town.
Safaris, you're closest decent one is probably Kruger. One thing I do regret about not doing there is going up the east coast and snorkelling with the whale sharks. Head down the Cape of Good Hope (do that anyway as a day trip) and you'll be able to stop and swim with jackass penguins plus you'll have all the baboons to last you a lifetime.
Never did it, but Great White Shark watching/diving is an option.
Pies. Best frickin pies on the planet.
Cost I couldn't tell you as it was 20 years since I was there.
You won't have the time but go back and do Zambezi/Vic Falls and (I'm repeating myself here) but if you are going to do a safari once in your life go to the Okavango Delta and do a foot/camping one.
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