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My heart is bleeding for my country tonight

354 replies

TrixieLou · 12/07/2021 22:03

Name changed and posting here for traffic.

I have been resident in the UK for 15 years but I am originally from Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. My country is on fire. It has been mentioned on the news today but the football has completely overshadowed the story. My family live in the worst hit area. Shopping centres have been looted and destroyed. Thousands of criminals have been shooting, looting, throwing grenades and setting off bombs. I had my father on the phone earlier and could hear gunshots in the background. The police and the military are doing nothing. My brothers are currently blocking off their roads with their vans. They are armed with guns. Most of their neighbours are there too. They are watching thousands of angry protesters approach from the valley below. Gunshots. Fire. Bombs. There is black smoke billowing in the air from trucks and cars being set on fire. Thousands of people are walking on the streets carrying merchandise from destroyed shopping centres. People are shooting at each other. They have said that this is only the beginning. Private homes will be next. The homes that house my family and friends. My family are scared for their lives tonight. I just had my father in tears on the phone, telling me he doesn’t know what is going to happen tonight and that he loves me. He never got to meet my new baby.

Please pray for South Africa tonight. Or send good thoughts if you don’t pray. They will never recover from this. They were already on their knees.

OP posts:
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6
eosmum · 12/07/2021 22:06

@TrixieLou I’ve no words but I am so sorry you are going through this.❤️

shivawn · 12/07/2021 22:07

I'm so sorry, this must be so scary for you. I'm hoping your family will be safe. I have visited Kwazulu Natal and found it a beautiful area with wonderful kind people. Praying for your family and friends.

BELLAARA · 12/07/2021 22:07

My heart is hurting too. We've good friends from and in Durban. It's just beyond the pale.

waltzingparrot · 12/07/2021 22:07

I will pray for you and your family, and for South Africa.
Why is this happening?

BELLAARA · 12/07/2021 22:08

Sorry, hit send too soon. Am so sorry you had that encounter with your Dad. Heartbreaking.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 12/07/2021 22:08

I won’t pretend to know what is going on. (I hadn’t seen anything about this)

All I will say to you is that I hope your family stay safe. I cannot imagine how worried you must be. Flowers

MerylSqueak · 12/07/2021 22:10

Gosh how awful op. I can't imagine. My thoughts are with you and your family.

StCharlotte · 12/07/2021 22:10

Oh you poor love, how terrifying.

I know how worried we were for family in Zimbabwe and how helpless you feel. Courage ❤

Peridot1 · 12/07/2021 22:10

Oh no. That sounds terrifying. I have friends in Kwazulu Natal.

What has triggered this?

butterkistpop · 12/07/2021 22:11

The former president of SA has been imprisoned for corruption. And people from his political party are rioting in protest. However it's thought that people are using it as an excuse for general frustration.

MrsTerryPratchett · 12/07/2021 22:12

So sorry OP. It's such an incredibly beautiful country with such division.

I don't pray but I will educate myself about what is happening.

FastFood · 12/07/2021 22:12

So sorry OP, hope everything will be fine for your family and your country.

We're here feeling sorry for ourselves because of a Euros final. Your post is a reality check, thanks for that.

Can you tell us a bit about what triggered these events? Or recommend an article to read?

butterkistpop · 12/07/2021 22:13

Sorry meant to say, *using his imprisonment as an excuse to vent their general frustration.

I am South African too with my parents & siblings back home.

ChaToilLeam · 12/07/2021 22:14

This sounds absolutely terrifying. I hope your family will come through safely, @TrixieLou.

Suzi888 · 12/07/2021 22:17

Agree, this sounds horrendous. I’m sorry OP, I hope your family will find safety.

Vinniepolis · 12/07/2021 22:18

I’m also from KZN originally. I could almost understand if people had just had enough of the poverty and inequality and corruption and started rioting over that - but the fact they are rioting because the most corrupt politician in SA history has been sent to jail does my head in. Why on earth are they supporting him? They’re surely not all on the gravy train so what is it? Is just the fact he is Zulu enough to make them destroy the country and finish off his work? It does make me despair.

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 12/07/2021 22:19

Stay safe OP.

Sounds terrifying. So sorry it’s come to this.

butterkistpop · 12/07/2021 22:22

I think it started out as a few people of his party rioting and then it became a protest of the masses against inequality...

Fastforwardtospring · 12/07/2021 22:23

So sorry OP, I am humbled by your post, I did not know of this, like you you say, football has dominated the news. I will say a prayer for you, your father, family and friends tonight.

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 12/07/2021 22:23

Sorry OP, you are in the U.K., hope your family are safe and your friends in SA stay safe as well.

Dontjudgeme101 · 12/07/2021 22:23

💐for you op.

Lindaloo08 · 12/07/2021 22:24

Love to you and your family OP, I can't even imagine getting that call from my dad ❤

DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 12/07/2021 22:26

Oh my God that's horrendous! I can't even imagine how terrified they must be!

FlaminEckVera · 12/07/2021 22:27

@TrixieLou (((HUGS))) for you. Flowers

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