Comments on: South Africa: More Tragedy

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:44:50 +0000

You hit the nail on the head - crime is no longer a slight niggle at the back of yuor mind (as it is pretty much anywhere) - it has become a political crisis of tremendous proportions. Years and years of politicising crime has brought us to a place where complaining about crime is seen as middle-class white whingeing - but as this tragedy shows, it’s so much worse than that. But somehow the Government seems powerless to fix it and spend their time inventing excuses as to why it’s not as bad as we think. Hah.

I’m also sorry for the loss of your former colleague - so senseless.

By: Rachael

Rachael — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:07:32 +0000

Thanks to Pippa for those lovely positive words. Sometimes I struggle to feel them, but ironically feel put out when it seems the world has put us in a box and labelled us with a big ‘warning’ sticker..
Having lived in South Africa for the last 12 years I have learnt great lessons in friendship, love, respect and committment which I don’t imagine I would have had the opportunity to learn elsewhere. YES, we live in difficult times - it’s not a walk in the park. We have to be alert and on the look out all the time - but we are talking, and standing up now and taking action and fighting this nonsense. Our children have space, and sunshine, and are given the love of parents by many more people than just their parents. Our children are learning great lessons about life, they are brilliantly educated, excell at sports, learn to work hard and have the environment in which to grow up strong and happy and healthy. I could not imagine a better life for them. Oh, and the wine is cheap here, and very good too…

By: (un)relaxeddad

(un)relaxeddad — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:23:53 +0000

We’re struggling with a different pattern of violence in the UK (gangs and guns and effectively children killing each other or their peers by accident or design) but the roots are not dissimilar, I feel.

I was sitting next to someone reading a South African expats’ newspaper on the Tube this morning and saw an article about this. I didn’t know who Lucky Dube was but picked up on the senselessness and the loss involved.

By: Tanya

Tanya — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:30:27 +0000

Once again I am numbed to the core of my being… yes I am one of those so very fortunate people to be living in another country but my family is not so fortunate and have to endure these acts of criminal behaviour. It is far too common and what scares me is the manner in which it is just shrugged off by the very people who have to live and breathe this on a daily basis. Only when you live away from it all do you realise just how ABNORMAL it is! YES…it is a Political CRISIS!! Well said Charl!

By: everythinginbetween

everythinginbetween — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:32:42 +0000

Charlotte,
My heart hurts for you. Working in Detroit, and living near it, as I do - I understand how devastating this kind of random violence can be, but I’ve never lost someone I personally know to it. It’s hard particularly when you care so much about a place,to be torn between living there in hopes of making a difference, and the sheer conviction that nothing you can do alone with help - there must be a shift larger than the one inside yourself. I’m sorry for this sad news, and know I am with you in spirit, shifting, hoping,urging, wondering what we can do about violence motivated by desperation.

By: Pippa

Pippa — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:31:19 +0000

Hi Charlotte, just discovered your blog over the weekend ~ lovely reading!

Yes, the violence and crime in the country here is abysmal. Yes, it prompts most of us to consider emigration.

But what do you do when you actually have to live in South Africa? You learn to think positively, otherwise you won’t survive. You step up on faith, you learn to believe that you won’t die if it is not your appointed time, you learn to find the silver lining, and you celebrate any sign of progress and brotherly love.

And that, to me, is an excellent life skill to acquire, no matter where you live.

As everywhere else in the world, bad things happen here. But good things *also* happen, even if they don’t make it into the media. And that is what we need to find and focus on. Every day!

Love,
Pippa

By: Capetonian

Capetonian — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:38:07 +0000

I’ve just read your blog and those tragic deaths have become somehow lost in the elation of winning the rugby world cup - which is a bit sick, really! I must admit I am guilty of revelling in the glory and your blog has just brought me down to earth with a huge bump. My grown up children all want to live in this beautiful country - they have spent a weekend watching rugby with friends, swimming at the beach, braaing with friends, enjoying wine at the wine festival in Robertson, all in glorious weather but WHAT are we going to do to protect this for the nation and its future generations?

By: dew

dew — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 06:24:47 +0000

This must be so hard for you. I’m sorry.

By: Alida

Alida — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 03:21:24 +0000

This is the first time I read your blog. I’m so sorry. I feel so many emotions when I hear of senseless violence. Sadness, fear, helplessness. The tragedy is so great.

By: Kerry Hancock

Kerry Hancock — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 09:23:59 +0000

Our nation has lost its pride. We have no credible leader. We’re lost and we don’t know where we’re going. We live in fear so we drown our sorrows with pretence or drugs or alcohol and let anger take over. We commit atrocious, senseless acts.

Today is the rugby world cup and we’re in the final. I cannot explain the indifference I feel today compared to how I felt 12 years ago. It goes some way to explaining the malaise. My husband remarked, “Our nation needs this victory.” We’re a nation in crisis as the walls go higher. We can’t blame apartheid any more. It isn’t a racist issue. But how can we expect to remain motivated and focused and perform when we live in such enormous uncertainty, when life is so cheap?

It sounds so chilling to say that one anticipates that as more and more high profile people die, more action may be taken but what a price and how painful and I hope my friends and family aren’t those people.

But you are so right Char. It is a political crisis. Who wants to live like this? However, the truth is I have benefited enormously and I want to stay and be part of the solution. Solve this political crisis and there is no better place to live. South Africa is my home.