My heart is bleeding for my country tonight

[TrixieLou]

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.

@mbosnz You are so kind. Thank you. Praying for you and yours too ❤️

Mine are lucky as all get out - they're in NZ! But thank you.

Any further updates?

How is everyone this morning?
I’ve spoken to our boys. They are working through the day and standing guard at night until 4am. They were being shot at last night from a distance, but the police and security guards quickly came to their aid. They seem to be unbelievably calm and level headed under the circumstances. One of them send me a picture he took of people waiting in queue to buy food. There must have been over 200 people.
Once they don’t have to stand guard, they’ll go and help with clean up. They work in construction, hopefully the company they work for will help with some of the rebuild too. They just need to get through the next few days first.

@TrixieLou the footage of the ghost towns is harrowing. So much destruction.

DH’s aunt has been queuing for food for 3.5 hours and is about halfway down the queue. She’s in her 70s. Her children have queued in other places to try and maximise the chances of getting food.

They have about a day’s worth of food otherwise.

@SouthAfricaMama

How is everyone this morning? I’ve spoken to our boys. They are working through the day and standing guard at night until 4am. They were being shot at last night from a distance, but the police and security guards quickly came to their aid. They seem to be unbelievably calm and level headed under the circumstances. One of them send me a picture he took of people waiting in queue to buy food. There must have been over 200 people. Once they don’t have to stand guard, they’ll go and help with clean up. They work in construction, hopefully the company they work for will help with some of the rebuild too. They just need to get through the next few days first. *@TrixieLou* the footage of the ghost towns is harrowing. So much destruction.

The entrance and exits to my suburbs are being blocked by residents in the evening until morning to try to keep homes safe. No one is allowed to leave or enter during that time. There are no shops open but some people are selling essentials from the homes and it’s cash only so not sure how long that will last. For now people are ok but on edge as they know bigger and more horrific things are coming.

Hope all your loved ones are safe. Praying for everyone ❤️

I've been through the queueing for hours for food in the aftermath of the quakes, back home. The difference was, that the disaster wasn't manmade, and while there was the threat to life, it wasn't from our fellow man.

I feel for your loved ones, this is a terrible situation, and a terrible time. They sound like incredibly strong people (which has been a feature of every South African I've ever met), very pragmatic, resourceful, and resilient.

I hope so much that peace, order, and renewal of supplies can be delivered soon.

@SouthAfricaMama

How is everyone this morning? I’ve spoken to our boys. They are working through the day and standing guard at night until 4am. They were being shot at last night from a distance, but the police and security guards quickly came to their aid. They seem to be unbelievably calm and level headed under the circumstances. One of them send me a picture he took of people waiting in queue to buy food. There must have been over 200 people. Once they don’t have to stand guard, they’ll go and help with clean up. They work in construction, hopefully the company they work for will help with some of the rebuild too. They just need to get through the next few days first. *@TrixieLou* the footage of the ghost towns is harrowing. So much destruction.

Hey everyone,

There is a weird somberness today. It is so difficult to explain. It is like everyone is so worn out mentally and emotionally.

I just keeping bursting into tears, which is so very unlike me.

I cannot come to grips with the fact that I am 400km away from my brother and sister in law who are in the midst of this violence with a baby, and they cannot get nappies and formula for her. She likes what she likes and the very few jars of food that she will eat, they don't have. I had to hold it all in when I called to keep doing my check ins with them. My niece is screaming in the background because she wants spaghetti bolognaise and there is none. She is a baby and just wants spaghetti bolognaise. My sister is in tears as she cannot console her. My brother is in a state as he hasn't slept in days.

I just don't know where to get the energy from today to get stuff done.

Our shops are starting to open again now, and I can get what they need, but I have no way of getting it to them.

I just feel shattered. Not just for my own family, but for everyone as reality is setting in now.

Oh guys your stories are all devastating.

@MaverickDanger I wish there was something we could do for your DH’s aunt. Is there no one she can go stay with until things start improving? The thought of a 70 year old alone, scared and hungry is just too awful. I’m so sorry.

@SouthAfricaMama the way everyone has come together is amazing. I’ve been seeing so many positive stories about the clean up. Makes me very proud to be South African.

@Satears the aftermath is just too much to think about right now 😔 The days to come are going to be harrowing.

@mbosnz Yes! They really are a resilient bunch aren’t they! I guess they have to be to survive there.

@isthismylifenow your poor niece. It might seem like a small thing to most but to her it’s everything and there is no way to help her understand. I saw a post by a nutritionist in SA that has a recipe to make your own formula if you can’t get any, I’ll see if I can find it again for you. Take care of yourself, rest if you need to. You’re doing the best that you can in an impossible situation 💐

Glad your dad is doing better @TrixieLou

Wishing all who are caught up in this a better day today, hoping the shops have enough food for everyone and that the riots come to an soon.

@AdditionalCharacter Thank you so much! I hope so too.

@isthismylifenow here is the link to the post I saw. Hope it’s helpful!

www.facebook.com/346039842704823/posts/829560967686039/?d=n

[quote TrixieLou]@isthismylifenow here is the link to the post I saw. Hope it’s helpful!

www.facebook.com/346039842704823/posts/829560967686039/?d=n[/quote]
Thank you so much!

My family are also in SA but fortunately in another unaffected province. Thinking of you OP and all others directly affected.

We lived in a neighbouring country when there was serious unrest and infrastructure destruction, the fear is dreadful. Keeping everything crossed that this settles with no more loss of life.

So sorry this is happening to you OP. It must be horrendous hearing all of that from your family.

I am also surprised it is not on the news and the first I heard about it was from my IH last night who was saying how shit journalism is as so much is going on in the world that is unreported.

Thanks @TrixieLou her son is with her luckily - he was supposed to have emigrated last year but Covid has halted his plans. We’re just grateful that they have enough food for the both of them for at least a week.

They are hoping to drive up to see DH’s gran next week. She’s in Durban proper & they are Durban North so will have to see if it’s possible.

I didn’t know this was happening. How can it be that such a dreadful event is not being reported ?! Those poor people must be so scared the wi le seems to be more and more blasé about people’s suffering. Hope everyone’s families are safe

My heart goes out to you @TrixieLou, and all on the thread going through such awful times or worried for their loved ones. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

And I hope MNHQ has banned the tone deaf, culturally-appropriating, White Saviour derailler.

Father In Law messaged this morning to say schools are being burnt down in their town now and pharmacies all being looted. Brother In law is taking his life in his hands to try and get bread, milk and other essentials for himself, Mil, and Fil.
Both Mil and Fil need medications, I'm worried they will run out soon.

MissyB1, that is awful. There just aren't words to express the horror. Burning schools?

My thoughts are with your BIL, MIL, and FIL. I wish him safety and success in his mission.

@mbosnz

MissyB1, that is awful. There just aren't words to express the horror. Burning schools?

My thoughts are with your BIL, MIL, and FIL. I wish him safety and success in his mission.

Thanks mbosnz, yes what is the point of burning schools? They are destroying their own communities and facilities that they need for their own families. This destruction is not going to make anyone's lives better.

I heard a news report this morning saying troops had been sent in and order was being restored. Is this not the case?

Burning schools and libraries is common, keep the people uneducated and they won’t join the dots to see how badly they have been let down by their government.
I hope all your families and friends in SA are safe and continue to be safe.

Hi TrixieLou

Just checking in with you this morning. I am sure that you have been in touch with your family, and hope they are doing OK.

So it's confirmed that it was a failed coup attempt, but the people of SA fought back. After the most horrendous week, people living in fear, anxiety levels at an absolute maximum for those here and those not here, but worried for family.

Today, we are picking up the pieces. We start today knowing we will get though this. I don't know what has been reported, but if it hasn't, I can tell you that the SAffers are out there sticking together, helping each other.. The mood is different.... Its about supporting those who need it and we are a proud nation.

There are massive drives on to get emergency supplies to those worst affected. If anyone would like to make a donation of any kind, could I ask to support The Gift of the Givers campaign. They are doing so much. I have no personal affiliation to them, but the smallest assistance to them will go a long way.

To my fellow SAffers.... Be proud of your people. The minority are the minority.

@isthismylifenow it is so wonderful hearing all the stories coming out of SA. I have personally started a fundraiser to get supplies to KZN and the support from expats has been incredible, we’re nearly at £2000! We’ve found an airline that is willing to fly it all to Durban absolutely free of charge, I have people out buying supplies today. How funny that in one of our countries darkest moments, I’ve never missed home more.