Crime in South Africa

[Graeme]

I think that a great many whites (and others) are doing what they can to try to moderate the behaviour of the hooligan element but we are so few and they are so many - and our influence cannot reach the townships. It is terribly sad - we hear chapter and verse from our domestic servants and one wonders where it is all going to end.

[IanF]

This is where I start to scratch my head a bit though - is our society a function of our political leadership, or is our political leadership a function of our society?

Duncan
Part of the problem is inertia, the majority of SA seem to be happy with ANC, who has learnt from the NP. They play on the "wit gevaar" fears the latest phrase being "I will kill for Zuma" which means "I love Zuma". So until the majority see crime as problem and not wit gevaar there is no hope.

What can we do is look for a viable opposition and get them to move from a racial outlook on SA into the pressing issues of the day. The how is the challenge.

[Dave A]

Dave
You can change the number of posts you see per page

True, but I keep it at 10 posts per page for quick loading.

is our society a function of our political leadership, or is our political leadership a function of our society?

The cynical answer is the politician seeks the appearance of representing the will of the populace. But reality is very much the reverse. Leadership is by definition influence, which means the views of the populace is shaped by its leaders. Or at least, very heavily influenced - otherwise they wouldn't be leaders.

People have some sort of sway over who gets pushed up the leadership ladder.

I don't think so, at least not here. This is where proportional representation is really causing problems; it's your influence in the party, not the electorate that determines who gets to the top rungs of the ladder. The electorate has no direct influence over the political future of any individual, except in the really small parties, maybe.

This is particularly evident in the shift at Polokwane. Can one really say that came from the electorate? Ultimately, it was a concerted campaign by COSATU, the CP and the ANCYL that drove the change. Sure, they wrapped it up in "will of the people" rhetoric, but in retrospect it looks like it was the ambition of leaders that felt marginalised under the Thabo Mbeki regime that seems to be the real motivation.

[murdock]

i decided to join the very few that take a stand and do something about the crime in this country instead of just complaining and sending ridiculous emails (like thats gona stop the crime)...i went to the mosely neighbourhood watch meeting for the first time last night.

to my suprise there are people out there trying...there were people who do night patrols while we are all sleep worrying if our family are safe...there were councilors at the meeting...there is an sms system which works well...there were tips on safety and security...updates on the crime stats...etc...etc.

the point i am trying to make is if you are one of the people who sit at a braai for 6 hours mouning about the crime or you sit at work all day complaining about the crime and want to leave the country because the crime is so bad...get off you backside and join your local neighbouhood watch...the meeting took just over 2 hours...and if you are tooo lazy or just dont have the time to assist with the patrols etc...there are other people who are they just need your support...as mentioned during the meeting in numbers we can overcome the crime in this country...so stop whining and get pro active...or do what the 900 000 visa applicants are doing...move to "greener" pastures.

[wynn]

Yes I agree, join and get active in your local CPF.

They usually meet once a month and the cops report back on crime in your sector so you know what to look out for.

You also get advice on how to protect your property etc.

[murdock]

i was reading the cover of the you magazine while waiting for my change at the tea room today... women is raped while holding her 2 year old child by the same person released 5 days prior...i might have miss read something and i didnt read the article because things like that just make me angry.