A 'sudden' return to reality?

Submitted by Conrad Booysen

A normal, run-of-the-mill Monday was turned on its head in one act of senseless violence that ruined the lives not only of innocent victims, but their families too. I was horrified to read of the cold-blooded murder of the Skielik residents shot like worthless animals, an act for which Johan Nel, an 18-year-old farm boy, has been detained. I remember asking myself then, as I still do now: Why? It was all I could say at the time; it’s all I can still say.

Life in this country is so cheap! This beautiful country of ours that has such a spotted history of bloodshed and hatred continues to witness the callous murder of people; human beings, people with lives and families who love them.

A mere boy, too young to have been indoctrinated by the apartheid issues of the day pre-1994, takes a gun, walks into the Skielik informal settlement and shoots people as if they’re worthless rags of humanity, serving to continue this senseless cycle of violence, bloodshed and heartache. The victims, innocent human beings with lives, families, hopes, dreams, aspirations and futures, now dead. Their families, who still love them dearly, have to contend with a new reality, one that will remind them daily of the fact that their love will forever remain unrequited; memories are all they have left.

A three-month-old baby, Keditlhotse Elizabeth Moiphitlhi, and her mother, Anna; a 10-year-old boy named Enoch Tshepo Motshelanoka; and 35-year-old Sivuyile Danani, all gone; relegated to the status of a memory. Those who once were are no more, all as a result of the actions of an 18-year-old boy who seemingly holds no value for human life and who probably equates human life and value to the shade of one’s epidermis.

I despise the actions of this young man. In fact, perhaps a stronger, more descriptive word is in order; a word such as “hate”? I hate the fact that innocent lives were lost. I hate the fact that this act has the very real potential to undo some good progress that has been made in racial reconciliation in this country. Granted, much still needs to be done, but this murder could reverse the small steps already made. And, I am angry. I am angry that this kind of thing still happens in this country, a continuance of the murder and savagery that is wracking this country of ours with no realistic sign of abating.

What are we going to do about this? We can preach of Jesus’s love for us — and how this love needs to extend freely to both friend and foe, liked and disliked, known and unknown — until we’re blue in our collective faces. But, until this message of love and hope, of mutual respect and acknowledgement, of loving others more than one’s self, and of valuing human life as sovereign, permeates deeply and thoroughly into every crack and crevice of society, we’re doomed to see ongoing repetition of this senseless murder.

God, please help us. Please console the families of the lost ones, as well as those who were injured and their respective families who will now have carry the physical, mental and emotional scars of this dastardly act. Those with the physical scars are the “lucky” ones, for as much as that is worth, they still have their lives. Four others don’t.

To those of Skielik: I am sorry. I am sorry you’ve had to experience this. I cannot expect you to forgive Johan Nel, but, I can ask you to please know that his crimes against you and your families and your neighbourhood and, for that matter, South Africa are not supported, encouraged or endorsed by the greater population of South Africa, at any stretch. This brings no comfort, I know.

Perhaps I was living in foolish hope? This act brought about in me a “sudden” return to reality. Are all our efforts in vain? Is all the blood that has been shed for nothing, of no meaning or consequence? Strangely, no; I don’t believe it, I cannot believe it. I cannot believe that the sacrifice of human life in this country is for nothing. Surely we’re to reap the reward of all this sacrifice somehow; a reward other than more of the same? South Africa’s blood-stained soil is crying out, in sympathy and in unison with her populace: stop this violence!

There are those who say that world is watching us; I, for one, say: “Let them watch!” I am sick of the hypocrisy of the world at large. The case of a log in your own eye is certainly the most appropriate perspective at this time.

We, fellow brothers and sisters of South Africa, need to watch ourselves. We need to watch out for one another, watch each other’s backs, be one another’s keepers. We need to reach out to one another and we need to expel those elements of society that cannot acknowledge the value of life. And, I show no favour or bias in this regard. There is no excuse for cold-blooded murder, no matter what the justification; and, there is no excuse for Nel’s actions, no matter what he or others will try to tell us. Enough now!

As an ordained pastor, Conrad Booysen tries not only to cultivate a keen observation of society, but also to provide commentary on these observed issues that is relevant and practical, while remaining true to his strongly held spiritual beliefs. Admittedly, this is not always easy.

He regards himself as truly blessed to have the wife and child that he has, and hopes that he is as much of a blessing to them as they are to him. He is also aware daily of how fortunate he is to be able to live his life’s calling and to experience the fulfilment that is the inevitable by-product of being in the Lord’s will.