Ms Fifikins

I am a child of the 80s. At high school in the mid to late 80s I developed a social conscience. When I wasn’t at music rehearsals, I was at Amnesty International meetings or helping raise money for Community Aid Abroad (Oxfam) or Ronald McDonald House, or the local women’s shelter.

We’d have sweet stalls at recess- lots of hard toffees that you would hide in your dress pocket to finish at lunchtime, or coin chains down the corridors, or free dress days- we loved free dress days.

In Year 12, our VCE English theme was ‘Justice.’ We looked at tolerance, understanding, peace and, naturally, injustice. We spent a good half of the year looking at South Africa. We discussed apartheid and we cheered when Mandela was released. We watched all the South African protest films (I still have images of the Steve Biko film in my head) and we were angry. I was angry. I wanted change. I could see how wrong it was to have a country ruled by people that segregated people by the colour of their skin.

I remember cheering when sanctions were lifted from South African sporting sides- standing ovations at Olympic and Commonwealth Games opening ceremonies, cricket tours and of course rugby.

And Mandela was elected president. I followed this and was proud as a human being. But then reports started coming out of South Africa- crime and poverty. And I ignored it- the fight to end apartheid had been won. This was the new South Africa- the Rainbow Nation. Rainbows conjured up happiness and an end to rain. Hope and sunshine.

And I met the gorgeous MIML™. This amazing man who came to my country as he could not find work in his own. A refugee if you like. And again I found out more and more about today’s South Africa.

We visited the country last December and saw poverty. I was sneered at by black people because of the colour of my skin. And I head horror stories- the murder of (white) farmers ( at least 3,500 in the last 15 years) let alone other murders. A massive crime wave. An immense HIV problem. And a government that distinguishes people by not only the colour of their skin, but also their gender.

MIML™s grandparents, both hard working people their who lives unable to access social security because of the colour of their skin. MIML™s sister unemployed after seeing some horrendous things in her time in the Police Force. MIML™s parents both working hard living in a modest house, not sure how they will cope with retirement. Friends whose house was invaded when we were there- they were not harmed, but all their possessions stolen.

We heard of other sickening events- the torture of some people before they are murdered- penises cut off and watching their wives gang raped. The torture of children. So much hate.

And now in the last couple of weeks we read about the murder of a white nationalist. Yes, he was a twat, but no one deserves to be tortured and murdered. And the talk is of the white nationalists whilst black nationalists like Julius Malema chant to kill the Boers.

I can understand the hatred of black people who were segregated and downtrodden for so many years, but did I fight for this? Did the western world in the 80s fight to see what South Africa is doing to itself today? What can be done now? Shall we continue the circle and turn our anger to action? What action is needed? What can I do? I ask myself if blogging helps. I have a small readership and hope that perhaps this post may cause others to think about the situation in South Africa- to go and read more. To find some South African bloggers and read first hand what others are experiencing, be they black, white, purple, green or blue! Racism has no colour. It is just hatred. The hate has to stop.

MIML™s family don’t want to leave their country, yet we are planning to help them escape if/when it is needed. Perhaps reading blogs is subjective. Perhaps these are people overplaying what is happening? It is sad to think some are hoping the Soccer World Cup brings a violent head to it all so the world takes notice.

I have deliberately not added links in this article. There are some good bloggers out there. Google and ye shall find! I want to break the circle. I want to be able to take my kids back to visit the most beautiful country. I want people to learn from what has happened in Zimbabwe. I want the violence to stop. Imagine.