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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
SoHereWeAre01 · 13/07/2021 13:39

@Allington words fail me with your lack of etiquette.

You have strong views, so please start your own thread and share them. Stop hijacking other people's thread.

OP has asked for a safe space for all anxious people worried about the state of SA. She does not want your passive aggressive posts making a stressful situation worse.

@MNHQ it appears Allington doesn't respect the rules and doesn't take onboard the feedback; she is causing upset where people seek some form of comfort.

Perching · 13/07/2021 13:40

@Allington who do you think suffers the most for the billions that Zuma stole and facilitated state capture by the Guptas? Exactly the people who you speak of, that is who. He stole from the most needy. Read about the findings of the Zondo commission and the particulars of the crimes of which JZ is accused. It is indefensible. What does his actions have to do with race? He refused to appear in court, and was jailed for that, hence the violence. Not even his crimes!!
These small businesses that have been burned to the ground - who do you think they employ?
Supermarkets burned to the ground and looted - who do you think the most needy get bread and formula? In my parents’ town the queues for food have already started.
In Durban the ‘protestors’ tried to blow up the city water supply - who do you think will suffer most?
Northern KZN have really suffered. Empangeni is destroyed. The new Zulu king carries little authority. Zuma could have stopped this by speaking out yet he stays silent - tells you all you need to know about the man.

Allington · 13/07/2021 13:42

If anyone wants to support children in communities where gunfire is a regular occurrence , I can put you in touch with a friend who has a long term involvement in a dispossessed community. Even small amounts of money (from a UK perspective) can help children get one good meal per day

Allington · 13/07/2021 13:44

Zuma is appalling.

But no worse than the apartheid government, which was voted in year and year again by the White population. Giving all the contracts to White companies

Allington · 13/07/2021 13:45

I completely agree with Zuma going to jail.

sqirrelfriends · 13/07/2021 13:45

@Allington I suggest you start your own thread.

It's very noble of you to bring up these issues but that's not the purpose of this thread.

Some of us are terrified for our families, please respect that.

SouthAfricaMama · 13/07/2021 13:46

@Allington your skin is as thick as a rhino's. Please, just stop.

SoHereWeAre01 · 13/07/2021 13:47

This reply has been deleted

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

Allington · 13/07/2021 13:48

[quote SoHereWeAre01]@Allington - you have hijacked the thread and made it about you and your views.

Regardless of race, there are a lot of scared and anxious people in SA worried about their personal safety and the direction the country is going.

Please have some empathy for the OP and remember etiquette goes a long way.

You are most welcome to start your own thread; pls don't hijack someone else's.
[/quote]
White people being anxious on specific occasions matter, ?but the daily experiences of black South Africans don't?

Allington · 13/07/2021 13:49

[quote sqirrelfriends]@Allington I suggest you start your own thread.

It's very noble of you to bring up these issues but that's not the purpose of this thread.

Some of us are terrified for our families, please respect that.[/quote]
Other people's families have been under threat for a long time. Where has been your activism for them?

SouthAfricaMama · 13/07/2021 13:49

@Allington, what on earth makes you think all of the posters on here are white?!

Perching · 13/07/2021 13:50

This reply has been deleted

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

captainjacksparrow · 13/07/2021 13:50

@Allington

START YOUR OWN THREAD

captainjacksparrow · 13/07/2021 13:51

@TrixieLou

I pray for your family and better news to come x

sqirrelfriends · 13/07/2021 13:51

White people being anxious on specific occasions matter, ?but the daily experiences of black South Africans don't?

No one said they don't, only that it's not the point of the thread. Make your own thread if you want to discuss it.

I suggest we stop responding to @Allington who is far to oblivious to not be a troll.

Allington · 13/07/2021 13:52

I am a white woman who lived in SA for 15 years and was shocked by the overt racism. Worked in the NGO sector trying to right the centuries of racism. Adopted 2 black girls who are amazingly resilient despite the every day racism

Sorry (not sorry) to interrupt the pity party as white South Africans confront their past

SoHereWeAre01 · 13/07/2021 13:52

Problem with social media. It gives a voice to the fringes and they seem to shout louder.

I'm out.

TrixieLou · 13/07/2021 13:52

@captainjacksparrow thank you so much x

OP posts:
SouthAfricaMama · 13/07/2021 13:55

TrixieLou, what is news with your family, dear? We've had no word from our boys for a few hours now.

Allington · 13/07/2021 13:55

Fringes? Hmm no, the majority. Who are not White, so don't get the 'poor thing' responses

Hobnobswantshernameback · 13/07/2021 13:57

OP my thoughts and prayers are with SA
I have friends who have lived there for many years and now live a long way from there who are desperately worried for their families x

Allington · 13/07/2021 13:58

If you don't get that the everyday violence has far more of an impact against people who are not White, and reserve you concern for those who are White and this violence is unusual - well, that says it all

Violence is unacceptable in my opinion.

But you are only concerned when white people are threatened

Allington · 13/07/2021 13:59

@Perching

Oh sod off, I’m out. I’ve done my time in the emergency units of Addington, King Edward and Ngwelezana. I did midwifery in Thabong. Do you know what that looks like??? A butchery thats what. I don’t need educating about poverty and the legacy of apartheid thanks. You sound obtuse. Hope your family is safe.
Yes, worked in Crossroads
oneglassandpuzzled · 13/07/2021 14:00
Flowers
captainjacksparrow · 13/07/2021 14:00

Fairly certain no one wants to see SA destroyed, be they white or black...

It’s possible to have compassion for multiple people at the same time.