Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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:
Thread gallery
6
HypocriteHunter · 13/07/2021 20:51

Not trolling. Pointing out the difference between the level of concern when white South Africans are under attack and the level of concern for black South Africans.

And yet you show no concern for those only feeling threatened occasionally…. I think the word you used was that they should feel ‘privileged’.

It is a supportive thread for ALL. And yet you seek to create upset, nay - division, with a statement like this.

MaverickDanger · 13/07/2021 20:54

@Allington you are preaching to people here who are from South Africa, who witnessed this first hand. You are being incredible patronising to all South Africans on this thread, are completely alienating others from empathising with you and quite frankly are attempting to make this all about you - the epitome of white privilege.

HypocriteHunter · 13/07/2021 20:54

And you say I don’t want to face the truth?

The truth is that in a thread full of support and concern, there is only one poster being hateful.

That is the truth.

Face that.

CassandraCross · 13/07/2021 20:58

Thoughts to you, your family and the other posters on this thread who are going through the same, OP.Flowers

Satears · 13/07/2021 21:05

@Perching Yes this is exactly what everyone is saying, that this feels different. I just don’t how it’s going to be resolved without some kind of global intervention.

The president’s speech the other day was so wishy washy, I don’t believe he will do anything about it unless there’s a push from western countries. The pandemic is still going strong though so I doubt this will get much attention except for a few headlines Sad

Allington · 13/07/2021 21:06

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

HypocriteHunter · 13/07/2021 21:15

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Idroppedthescrewinthetuna · 13/07/2021 21:16

Ignoring the derailment completely.

@TrixieLou how are you doing? Any news on your family?

Crockof · 13/07/2021 21:19

Op, can you repost in another topic, maybe a support topic, AIBU allows a more robust Hmm reply and this isn't what is needed at the moment.

drainrat · 13/07/2021 21:38

It’s entirely possible to sympathise with the OP AND still agree with @Allington that white South Africans are reaping what they sowed for decades, and that their plight is in no way comparable to what black South Africans have endured during colonial rule. This is an uprising.

isthismylifenow · 13/07/2021 21:40

I have only seen this post now Trixie as I have tried to stay off all social media for my own mental health. I am in SA and I have just felt sick to my stomach for two days.

I am in Gauteng and we have had riots but not to the extend of kzn where I have family too. We haven't been able to get food basics as everyone here is panic buying and the shelves are empty. At least we will get a restock at some point. When will kzn been restocked. As whole shopping centres have been set alight.

Never mind we are in the peak of the 3rd wave here.

It's not stopping tonight. I've just read up as its kicking off it parts not far from me again. My sibling in kzn is on patrol tonight to protect their suburb. Last night they held off 4 waves.
For the first time ever, I am thinking of leaving my home to move elsewhere.

Anyusernameleft · 13/07/2021 21:57

I am so sorry your family are going through this, I will join in prayers for their safety & trust they will be heard & that you will get to see them all soon again. My thoughts are with you & I only wish I could do more.

isthismylifenow · 13/07/2021 22:05

I hadn't read all the posts when I posted.

Allington, from your 15 years you have seen inequality yes, and some horrific things. But you are not here now in the midst of all of this. CT is not affected (as yet) so your dd is relatively safe. Those in kzn and parts of gauteng are not.

And I am not just referring to white people either when I say we are afraid and scared, and in utter shock. At this point there is no end in sight.

isthismylifenow · 13/07/2021 22:32

But I am going to post this here, because... Ubuntu. We stick together.

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2438724386272603&id=100004051970924

Rhannion · 13/07/2021 22:42

I am sorry to see that beautiful country in such a state and hope your family and friends stay safe and well.

Bettysnow · 13/07/2021 22:58

@Trixielou I hope you are ok and your family stay free from harm. Sending much love and prayers for you and your loved ones this night x

HollaHolla · 13/07/2021 23:09

I am so sorry to hear of your friends and families in such a dreadful situation. I have visited RSA a number of times, as I have some family history there - and it is a beautiful country, with largely wonderful people.
I am sending my thoughts and wishes to all affected - it is such an awful situation. 💔

Blowingagale · 13/07/2021 23:15

As a British woman with no SA links I cannot offer practical support on the ground. Are there any registered charities that you feel are working on the ground that I could support or any campaigns in helping to end this most recent violence?

TrixieLou · 13/07/2021 23:27

Sorry I haven’t been back to update for a while. Juggling all of this, four children and a business has been hard today.

I have read every single one of your posts and I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your kind words, prayers and good wishes. Thank you so much.

To my fellow South Africans, my heart has been with you all today. I know we aren’t actually there experiencing it but it still hurts.

My brothers have gone back out tonight. Things seem a bit more under control but a lot of things are still burning and there is still looting going on. All shops are closed and there is no fuel. There is no way to get supplies and we have no idea when they will be able to. It’s very worrying. My father has decided to stay at home tonight, he had a hip replacement last year and it seems like attack from last night has hurt him more than he first realised. He can’t get to a hospital so he is just resting at home for now. My family have all gone to stay at my dad’s until this is over.

I will update you as things progress. Thanks again for the incredible support. You have all made this just a little more bearable and I appreciate it so much ❤️

OP posts:
SimonedeBeauvoirscat · 13/07/2021 23:28

Best wishes to you, OP. I hope your family can stay safe.

Newchances · 13/07/2021 23:32

Sorry to hear this. Thinking about you and the people of SA. I hadn't heard this anywhere

SardineJam · 13/07/2021 23:46

My family are in Gauteng, thankfully all okay. To those and those with family in KZN, thoughts and prayers with you tonight, so sad 😔

Originalyellowbelly · 13/07/2021 23:53

Best wishes to all who have loved ones in danger tonight, I hope it stays calm and all are safe.

Severncity · 14/07/2021 00:19

Again sending my thoughts and prayers to all in SA and those with loved ones who are in the affected areas.

IvorHughJarrs · 14/07/2021 00:22

Thinking of all of those in SA and who have family there
It's shocking this is not being better reported on

Swipe left for the next trending thread