How quickly we forget
Where many people panicked at the end of 2012 about the end of the world, I think the more recent events in Mzansi are better “suited” to an Armageddon.
In the first few weeks of 2013, South Africa was in the news spotlight and could only be described as, among other things: cringe-worthy, repulsive or a no-go zone. Newspapers were oozing with stories of rape, murder and ofcourse the perpetual news leader, corruption.
How have we reacted to these news reports? We’ve tweeted, we’ve listened to beeps on radio stations, we wore black t-shirts on Fridays and we’ve even stood at popular intersections waving beautifully printed posters, picketing around other people who sit in their fancy air-conditioned German sedans hooting in protest.
These actions of convenient protest and anger don’t do anything in my opinion. The woman who was raped by 8 men may appreciate your Sandton protest, but unfortunately has not been helped by your contribution to the noise level in the hub of South African business.
Lately, South Africans have been filled with two distinct emotions; anger and pride. Anger, around the surge in crime and pride for being a part of the reactionary awareness campaigns against these crimes. Yes, awareness campaigns.
The issue I have with these campaigns is that they do wonders for awareness but nothing for action. People, who hoot, wear black and post tweets with provocative hashtags feel good about making a contribution in the eyes of those who are making the same contribution.
While it seems as though I’m pointing a very big finger, I point it with the knowledge that I have done something; I didn’t hoot or wear black, but rather gave time to victims of abuse. I’ve sat and attempted to console a teary-eyed father carrying his daughter into a hospital because she had been molested. Granted, my contribution is not for everyone. But seriously if posters, tweets and hooting alone solved the problem then the hashtag #FirstWorldProblems would be all we’d need to worry about.
So, what has come of those campaigns? Where are the traffic hoots, tweets and powerful black posters? Well, they’ve been forgotten. It was “fun” for a while and we all got together for one common cause. But people are being raped and abused everyday. What are we doing to stop it?
If it were a campaign to bring the country together, foster patriotism and feel good about making a noise then 10-points to all South Africans. But the issues still remain, and we cannot sit back and wait for the next big spout of horrific news reports to send us into a mild protesting frenzy.
I’m not going to leave this article on an inspirational note nor will I provide solutions to the world’s problems, but rather pose a question:
What have you done, what have you actually done?
bsidethepoint 
Yessssssssss
Good on ya Bennie.
I Too am tired of the particle infested minds of the whoremongering consumer zombie parade being led by a bunch of unqualified nittwits performing undeserved jobs.
I want a campaign but not an awareness campaign but a proper witchunt campaign to go forth a pillage all those who bombard my wall with insignificanies.
Atholytes Unite!