It's a savage (and beautiful) place and I have family out there. One of my first memories is aged about 2-3 years old, watching my uncle and then young family emigrating to SA on a huge liner, as it pulled away from Southampton docks. Strange how the vision in my mind is so blurred and distant in memory but so poignant 47 years later.
Anyway, many stories filtered back over the years, apartheid of course, servants, guns. Pictures filtered back of them all sitting outside around the pool drinking cold bottles of beer, as a young kid that looked like paradise to me. As my cousins out there got older, there was the usual strife that comes with families, separations, divorces and one by one they popped back to the old country for holidays and it all sounded very strange and exotic to a youngster growing up in Eltham in the 70's. My cousin, same age as myself came back just five years ago and I got to spend some time with him. Struck me as a normal fella, on his 2nd marriage, kids, business going ok in Cape Town, but he kept talking about security, the fear of violence and the carrying of guns, alien to us in this country. We had a few beers and he went back. In 2010 he was divorcing his 2nd wife who was by the family grapevine, giving him grief over money, his business was also going down the toilet. One day he had enough, and as I was told, put his "affairs" in order, jumped in the car, went over to his estranged Mrs and shot her dead. He then blew his brains out. Two deaths, three kids and x amount of grandkids bereaved. It's a wicked world for sure but that was my first thought when I read the tragic news about Pistorious. We must NEVER allow guns to become an everyday accessory in this country.
Really really tragic. Can't imagine how he must feel if he did indeed mistake her for an intruder. I don't know if there would be a worse feeling in someone's life than that.
It's a savage (and beautiful) place and I have family out there. One of my first memories is aged about 2-3 years old, watching my uncle and then young family emigrating to SA on a huge liner, as it pulled away from Southampton docks. Strange how the vision in my mind is so blurred and distant in memory but so poignant 47 years later.
Anyway, many stories filtered back over the years, apartheid of course, servants, guns. Pictures filtered back of them all sitting outside around the pool drinking cold bottles of beer, as a young kid that looked like paradise to me. As my cousins out there got older, there were the usual strife that comes with families, separations, divorces and one by one they popped back to the old country for holidays and it all sounded very strange and exotic to a youngster growing up in Eltham in the 70's. My cousin, same age as myself came back just five years ago and I got to spend some time with him. Struck me as a normal fella, on his 2nd marriage, kids, business going ok in Cape Town, but he kept talking about security, the fear of violence and the carrying of guns, alien to us in this country. We had a few beers and he went back. In 2010 he was divorcing his 2nd wife who was by the family grapevine, giving him grief over money, his business was also going down the toilet. One day he had enough, and as I was told, put his "affairs" in order, jumped in the car, went over to his estranged Mrs and shot her dead. He then blew his brains out. Two deaths, three kids and x amount of grandkids bereaved. It's a wicked world for sure but that was my first thought when I read the tragic news about Pistorious. We must NEVER allow guns to become an everyday accessory in this country.
Blimey. A grim but very insightful post.
Met a lot of SA people on honeymoon in Mauritius. They painted a picture of going on holiday to relax from the tension of just living there. I resolved never to visit. A bit of aggro is one thing but guns, and the constant fear that your partner is a rape target...that's quite another.
a true story from a few years back. I had a security manager (indian chap with SA passport) he was formerly a sargent with the SA police. He had left SA with his wife becauseof the horrific crime. He was due to return to SA for help his 78 year mum pack up and come to the Uk. he had booked this as Xmas leave. I had a call shortley before he was to go over -------his mum had been raped and murdered !!
a true story from a few years back. I had a security manager (indian chap with SA passport) he was formerly a sargent with the SA police. He had left SA with his wife becauseof the horrific crime. He was due to return to SA for help his 78 year mum pack up and come to the Uk. he had booked this as Xmas leave. I had a call shortley before he was to go over -------his mum had been raped and murdered !!
Hmmm, been reading some of the 'real-life stories' of peoples 'experiences' with South Africa and their perceived understanding of what they believe SA to be like- and it seems that everyone thinks its like the Wild West.
I lived in SA for 5 years in the 2000's, my three youngest children and ex-wife all still live in Cape Town. I have no poblems whatsoever with my children living in CT. I ,nor my children have ever experienced any problems or violence in SA - nor any of the immediate family.
TBH, i feel safer in Cape Town than i do in London - there are places you dont go after dark, but this applies to any big city in the World - after all, you wouldnt go out in Brixton after dark without thinking about it twice , would you.? The only reason i came back to blighty was lack of work, else I would still be there now, and i intend to go back there to live out the rest of my days.
Yes, the statistics dont look good, however, virtually all of the violence /deaths happens in the Black Ghettos - Soweto in Joburg, Khayalitcha and Guguletu in Cape Town. yes, most of the white areas have barbed wire and alarms and big dogs, and yes, a lot have Guns.
Most people who have never been there seem to have this preconceived idea of what SA is without really understanding the dynamics and problems that SA has - but take it from me, its a beautiful country, where you can have a beautiful lifestyle - with people who are amongst the friendliest in the world - both black,coloured,Asian or white.
Comments
10yrs ago we would all have thought it was a tragic accident, however we have been fooled to many times and so it's natural to be suspicious.
I truly hope it's a tragic accident.
kinda thinking the same, the fact a 3rd person in the house made the call is a bit strange.
Either way, RIP
I know its wrong to feel that you have to.
But if you feel the need to have a gun anywhere in your home then move
Anyway, many stories filtered back over the years, apartheid of course, servants, guns. Pictures filtered back of them all sitting outside around the pool drinking cold bottles of beer, as a young kid that looked like paradise to me. As my cousins out there got older, there was the usual strife that comes with families, separations, divorces and one by one they popped back to the old country for holidays and it all sounded very strange and exotic to a youngster growing up in Eltham in the 70's. My cousin, same age as myself came back just five years ago and I got to spend some time with him. Struck me as a normal fella, on his 2nd marriage, kids, business going ok in Cape Town, but he kept talking about security, the fear of violence and the carrying of guns, alien to us in this country. We had a few beers and he went back. In 2010 he was divorcing his 2nd wife who was by the family grapevine, giving him grief over money, his business was also going down the toilet. One day he had enough, and as I was told, put his "affairs" in order, jumped in the car, went over to his estranged Mrs and shot her dead. He then blew his brains out. Two deaths, three kids and x amount of grandkids bereaved. It's a wicked world for sure but that was my first thought when I read the tragic news about Pistorious. We must NEVER allow guns to become an everyday accessory in this country.
he seems like such a nice bloke in the interviews ive seen him in and on twitter.
Met a lot of SA people on honeymoon in Mauritius. They painted a picture of going on holiday to relax from the tension of just living there. I resolved never to visit. A bit of aggro is one thing but guns, and the constant fear that your partner is a rape target...that's quite another.
Looking by the minute less like an accident
Following Mark Fish on twitter been reading some horror stories about rape. the statistics are shocking. Id carry a gun if i could.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20971240
Anyway back on topic. What a sorry tale.
Sick jokes are fair enough sometime after an event but plain warped in my view as it unfolds.
It comes down to that old fashioned word respect.
Violets are glorious
Don't try and surprise
Oscar Pistorious
Will surely be a headline
I lived in SA for 5 years in the 2000's, my three youngest children and ex-wife all still live in Cape Town.
I have no poblems whatsoever with my children living in CT.
I ,nor my children have ever experienced any problems or violence in SA - nor any of the immediate family.
TBH, i feel safer in Cape Town than i do in London - there are places you dont go after dark, but this applies to any big city in the World - after all, you wouldnt go out in Brixton after dark without thinking about it twice , would you.?
The only reason i came back to blighty was lack of work, else I would still be there now, and i intend to go back there to live out the rest of my days.
Yes, the statistics dont look good, however, virtually all of the violence /deaths happens in the Black Ghettos - Soweto in Joburg, Khayalitcha and Guguletu in Cape Town.
yes, most of the white areas have barbed wire and alarms and big dogs, and yes, a lot have Guns.
Most people who have never been there seem to have this preconceived idea of what SA is without really understanding the dynamics and problems that SA has - but take it from me, its a beautiful country, where you can have a beautiful lifestyle - with people who are amongst the friendliest in the world - both black,coloured,Asian or white.