This is not maybe the prettiest representation of the country that I live in. Is it unwise or just honest to talk about things when they are not going well?
Yesterday I was in the office which is in an industrial area right next to one of the hotspots for riots and looting. I could not concentrate on my work at all and was scanning both official news and social media to try make sense of that was going on.
All over Cape Town, South Africa there was unrest and trouble. The taxi association, this is the minibusses that ferry people from place to place on a route sort of like a private bus system, had gone on strike.
If you have spent any time in South Africa you would know that the taxis are the worst drivers on the road. They cram people into their transport to unsafe levels and will break every rule on the road as long as it helps them earn more money.
What is even worse is that they have been known to act in violence against the more official bus services should they feel that they bus service threatens their income.
Recently they have been roused to violence because their vehicles are being impounded by the traffic department.
I understand and support anyone's right to protest but when you begin attacking, breaking public property, looting shops, hurting and even killing people - often people that have nothing to do with their upset, then they have gone too far.
I really feel despondent now about this whole thing.
There is a fear of driving about as they have threatened the public saying that should they see vehicles transporting people that they will attack them.
Since Monday there have been stones thrown at people, cars set on fire and even some people being shot by the taxi drivers and those that protest with them. Shops have been looted, possibly not the taxi drivers themselves but rather elements of the townships that take the opportunity of the unrest caused.
In retaliation, the police have shot back at the protestors and killed those often involved in some sort of violent act.
This is terrible and such a major disruption to ordinary life. Of course this sparks fear, anger and hatred all over the place and most people start picking sides and generalizing their anger towards certain people or people simply saying certain things.
For myself it makes me wonder how long the things will last that I try to build? Will there be a future for myself and my children in South Africa should this continue at the pace that it is?
Should I eventually make the decision to move from South Africa where would I go? Will there be a place in this world that would accept me and my family that would offer a decent standard of living and would give my kids a decent future?
It then comes to a question of money as well. Do I even have enough money to leave the country or will I get stuck here and caught up in all the violence?
I pray it does not come to that. Should I be stuck here without the ability to immigrate then I would be forced to join some sort of group to ensure the survival of my family.
As I say, I really hope it does not come to that. All I want to do is go to work, raise my kids and play my hobbies.
I wish everyone safe passage and family and love.
