I am a South African. But I no longer live in South Africa. I
did so until 2006, when I left to work in the Middle East. I grew up in
apartheid SA, for a long time knowing only what I was told. But that is another
story for another day. Then I became aware of the horrific reality of
apartheid, and changed fundamentally who I was and how I viewed the world...
also, another story for another day. I spent 20 years after that working
against apartheid, not as a political activist, but as a Christian, devoted to
dignity and love.
Now, many years on, on various social networks, I have friends
who live in SA, and who do not live in SA. And the wars that rage on those
social networks between the two factions are deeply disturbing. There are those
who have left SA, who are embittered and enraged at the past and can do nothing
but pour scorn and “Thank *** we left” over every discussion. They often generalise
and swear violently – even some of the ladies! There are those who remain, who
are self confessed prisoners inside their own fear, unable to leave for
whatever reason, but deeply wishing they could. They don’t comment much.
There are those who have stayed voluntarily, believing that
somehow they can make a difference to the tide of anarchy that sweeps the land,
through either an economic contribution, a tireless effort for children or the
poor or whatever (these are the heroes). And then there are those who stay because
they are South African, and by Hell or High Water, nobody is pushing them out
of the land of their birth.
Everybody has strong opinions, as South Africans do, and
everybody believes they are right. Some have experienced horrific crime, the
rape and murder of loved ones, senseless violence at the hands of muggers and
road rage etc. To those my heart goes out and I would never question their
decision to stay or go. Grace to you as you build and rebuild your lives... may healing come.
Some others though, interest me. Usually it is the “Nobody
is pushing me out” clan, whose comments sometimes confuse me. Without fail, in
my experience, they are of the “eye for an eye” brigade, believing in violence
to combat violence. They own weapons, usually many of them, and they teach
their children to shoot accurately and decisively. Crime is an ever-present
reality, and their Plan of Action is simple... to quote a colourful character from
the accused box in my days as a State Prosecutor – Nay, my Worship, it was self
defense - I just hit him back first.”
It is this willing embrace of anticipatory retribution that
makes me ask, who exactly are the victims here? Is it the unfortunate burglar,
or would be burglar, who comes up face to face with the steady aim of a 12 year
old holding his very own 9mm Glock with a barrel inscribed with the words “Smile..
wait for the flash”... or is it maybe the little 12 year old, readied by his parents through
countless drills at the shooting range, for the act of murder - yes, in self defence, but murder nonetheless - in an attempt to
make him and his family “not a victim”.
He may not be a victim of an act of crime... but I would
suggest he might a victim nonetheless.
Let me re-iterate, I left to work in the Middle East, and when I
left the Middle East after the GFC of November 2008, I settled outside of SA because my
wife and children are not SA citizens. I did not leave because of crime,
although I had been hijacked 4 times, been shot at a few more times, and as a
State Prosecutor had seen the worst of the worst of SA society, mostly being
convicted, sadly sometimes not...
Where I live now, I am blessed and grateful for a society
where a woman can safely walk home from work at night, where a child can ride a bike home
from school safely. Where guns are owned, yes, but for hunting, and are used extremely rarely in crime. Where
policemen do not carry weapons, and their lives are not at risk. In this
society, which is the NORM, not the exception, I do not have to run red lights
at night to avoid hijacking, or as a woman, drive with my purse out of sight
because my car window might be smashed. Did I leave SA because of violence and
crime? NO. But can I see the benefits for a family and a child, of being in a
society not warped by crime and violence, where the capacity to kill another
human being is not regarded as an asset?
Yes I can. The difference between a society ruled and
dominated by post traumatic stress, and one governed largely by civil obedience
is absolutely huge. They are incomparable. Scary thing was, I used to think SA society was normal. It is not. In truth it is sick to the core. But I love the beauty of the land and its people, by far the majority of whom are gentle, peace loving people, betrayed by a government more interested in lining its own pockets and staying in power, than in actually dealing with societies many real issues.
And I love and appreciate the people who choose to stay
there to bring life to its potential.
Just thinking though... who are the actual victims of crime,
and of a society that is numbed to violence and barbarism – only those directly
experiencing a criminal act? Or maybe also those who decide to survive/defeat/conquer/overcome
the dangers of living in SA and choose to “not become a victim” by learning to
kill in self defence –and teaching their children to do it?
I don’t know what is right – everybody must decide for
themselves, but I do think the question deserves an honest answer.
