Fear- an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
I live in South Africa. One of the most beautiful countries in the world. South Africa is a country with a lot of diversity, and many different races, each with their own culture. What amazes me most, is that people from the same race often do not get along because of their cultures.
Violence in different cultures
Some cultures in South Africa believe that violence is necessary and justified to resolve conflict among races. Many males from certain cultures, believe that violent sexual behavior against women is legitimate. South Africa has the highest rate of rape in the world. This high rate of rape has caused South Africa to be referred to as the "rape capital of the world."
It is estimated that over 40% of South African women will be raped in their lifetime and that only 1 in 4 rapes are reported. It is also estimated that 14% of perpetrators of rape are convicted in South Africa.
Crime is a prominent issue.
Around 49 people are murdered every single day. Farmers are being killed. Not one day goes by where you don't hear about a farm attack somewhere in the country. Because of the severely high crime rate, many people have left the country, because of the fear that they had to endure while living there. Most of them has been a victim of some kind of violent crime.
We are not safe
It is no longer safe to do anything. You have to be aware of your surroundings at all times.
It is no longer safe to drive alone, as we have a fear of being hijacked. My friend was shot in the leg last week in a high-jacking attempt. He was one of the lucky ones. He survived with only a bruised ego, and the chance of never running a marathon again in his life. At least he survived and he can replace his car.
I live in a peaceful town and we live a fairly simple life. But we live in jail. We have to lock our doors permanently and we live in constant fear of being attacked in our own home.
In 2009 my parents were attacked in their own home. Seven armed robbers, just walked into the house one night and kept them hostage for nearly 6 hours. They terrorized them and they broke my grandmother's fingers to take her wedding ring. Luckily everyone survived, but they were severely traumatized and they live in constant fear. The fear of not feeling safe in your own home is real. They went for counseling and life moves on.
They are totally paranoid about every single noise outside, but who can blame them?
Farm attacks
The South African farm attacks are an ongoing trend of violent attacks on farmers in South Africa Between 1994 and March 2012, there had been 361,015 murders in all of South Africa and between 1990 and March 2012, there had been 1,544 murders on South African farms.
There has been a substantial increase in farm attacks in South Africa since 2012, statistics by the Transvaal Agricultural Union of South Africa (TAU SA)
The statistics include farm attacks and murders in the country since 1990 up to June in 2016. A total number of 1 824 murders have been reported in farm attacks since 1990 with 3 933 attacks also reported. Of the 1 824 murders, 1 170 victims were farmers, 491 were direct family to the farmers, 141 were workers on the farm and 22 were visitors. According to the bi-annual statistics the year 2012 (174 attacks) saw a significant rise compared to 96 attacks in 2011. In 2013 the number again increased to 231 people reportedly attacked. In 2014 it rose to 279 and reached a record high in 2015 when 318 people were reportedly attacked on their farms. In terms of farm murders, 2002 was the bloodiest year with 119 people losing their lives in farm attacks while 1990 was the year with the lowest amount of people (16) who lost their lives in the attacks. So far 2016 has seen a staggering 188 attacks in which 39 people have been killed. Gauteng has the highest murder rate with 499 attacks and 413 murders since 1990 with 14 murders and 40 attacks in 2016 alone. Other notable numbers: North West has had 679 attacks in which 253 people lost their lives. KwaZulu-Natal has seen 436 attacks with 294 murders. Free State has recorded 436 attacks with 192 murders. The province with the least reported attacks and murders is the Northern Cape with 46 attacks and 26 murders since 1990.
Please take note that these videos are very graphic and can be extremely disturbing. But we need to get the word out there.
What can help us to bring down the crime rate in South Africa?
NOTHING.
Nothing can be done to prevent this from happening, because each and every culture has their own beliefs and traditions. What is wrong for one culture, is not wrong for another culture. This is the result of having various races and cultures living together. No one believes that they are wrong.
