Tuesday, October 30, 2007

“If doctors are becoming targets, it’s no wonder so many are emigrating from South Africa.”

I write this post with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

I am so deeply saddened to have read that Dr Pox, a prominent and loved person of the King Williams Town community was killed yesterday.

I just arrived home and opened an email from my mum asking if I'd read the online Dispatch.
Because of the time difference, it hadn't been updated when I checked in this morning.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I thought of Dr Pox's wife and three children. And all I could think of was WHY THE F**K DID THIS HAPPEN?

Apart from being deeply upset at the loss of such a great man, I am EXTREMELY PISSED OFF that such a disgusting thing has happened....again.

Who the hell gives someone the right to take another person's life. I could go on forever on this topic trying to figure out what drives a person to KILL.

The title of this post is a quote from Dr Helmut Fritsche (a local SA Medical Assoc spokesperson).

Before coming to South Korea, numerous people said to me, "You must come back to your country... It's fine to go away for an adventure for a year or two, but you must give back to your country."

WHY? Why would I want to live in a country where I have to constantly look over my shoulder in case someone is going to come after me with a freaking weapon to kill me?

I've been here in Korea for 2 months, and apart from missing my FATHER, MOTHER and BROTHER, I miss nothing else....

I go out when I please, and come home the next morning if I wish - alone...using public transport. Of course, I am cautious but not to the extent where I have to make sure all 3 locks are locked before putting my head down for the night.

I'm really really annoyed that such a barbaric act has occurred. People's lives are taken every single day, but one only feels the sting when you knew the deceased personally.

Above all, he was a doctor - a respected and loved one at that. The country is forever crying that professionals are leaving SA for other countries. I don't blame them.

Who in their right mind takes the life of someone who SAVES lives?

I'd say I've grown up in a pretty politically-aware home. I've always loved SA and been very proud to say I am a South African. But when I read of atrocities - especially with the likes of Lucky Dube's murder (amongst many others) and now Dr Pox, I say - leave the damn country...

I hope the people responsible for this and other stomach-wrenching tragedies will be caught and severely punished.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Say all you want about your roots and where you grow up, but if you're constantly looking over your shoulder, you need to find a place where you can be happy. God gave this entire world to us, it's our playground to live in. We just have to decide if we like the monkeybars or the swings...I'm with you, Sheets!!! I feel bad for your country's senseless loss.

Anonymous said...

YO sisi you are angry..does Comrade Barry know you can swear...I am going to tell DJ Noonoo how u swear internationally on your blog....I am going to ask comrade Barry to tell Aunty Bons and all the DCs what saying about our country...Ha Ha you knew it is The only...only 1 Bm

Maja said...

Hi Sheetal! I haven't been around for a while (busy with work, well, with avoiding work, to be honest), what a sad post to come back to on your blog. I love travelling and sometimes I wish I lived somewhere more exciting, but when I read news like that, I realise how lucky I am to be living in a safe and peaceful town. I hope you'll have happier things to report soon :) In the mean time, you've been tagged, and I think it's a good tag to cheer you up!

Anonymous said...

Dammekie ek sien jy is baie kwaad vir suid afrika...maar jy moet trots wees vir die regering wat alles doen om crime te behandel.As mandela nie ANC gecontrol dan sal julle almal weg gehardloop..moenie vergeet van all moord van die vorige regime.Ons het bdie land veilig vir almal e=wat hier bly wit swart brown hotnots en so voort..so moenie kak sryf van suid afrika.wees trots vir jou moederland aneste gaaan na Rubys se land in sri lanka..menie vergeet van die anthem ons vir jou suid afrika..uit die blou van os se hemel uit die diepte van braelyyn wena ya geza pasop ons sal jou moer in braelynn as jy terug kom

Daddy's Girl said...

It boggles the mind how people can perpetrate such senseless violence with no thought to the devastating impact... It's just so sad.

Sheetal said...

kp
thanks for your comment...

anonymous 1
yes, i was angry when i wrote it. and ...yes, i think comrade barry knows that i speak "special french" like this... i'm not very proud of it, but it's a stress reliever sometimes.

maja
how cool to 'see' you again! i didn't get the tag?!

anonymous 2
dankie vir die comment - wat is jou naam? hoekom het jy nie jou naam geskryf nie? is jy 'n coward of wat? julle sal my MOER? ek sal sien.... o ...en... my moederland is nie sri lanka nie. peace out.

daddy's girl
thanks for ur msg.. also nice to 'see' you again - how've u been?

Anonymous said...

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Sheetal said...

ANONYMOUS:

Thank you so much for your very kind words :0) I appreciate you visiting everyday!

Anonymous said...

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Sheetal said...

Dear Anonymous,

Thank you very much for visiting my blog and reading this post. Hope you'll be back again :-) Sheetal

Sheetal said...

Dear Anonymous,

Thank you very much for visiting my blog and reading this post. Hope you'll be back again :-) Sheetal

Sheetal said...

Dear Anonymous,

Thank you very much for visiting my blog and reading this post. Hope you'll be back again :-) Sheetal