It takes a village to raise a child, and while South Africans are reeling at recent gruesome reports of rape and murder, such as Anene Booysen and yet another Audry Green, our hearts are heavy in the fact that abuse and murder of the country's vulnerable have become a daily occurrence. So as Jay Naidoo said in his open letter, the men responsible for the crimes were not born rapists. Somewhere along the line something went wrong.
Was it that parents had not been attentive enough? Was it that these boys had not known the role of a father in the home? But as government attempts to investigate the root cause of this pandemic in South Africa, we as citizens need to rally together in “UBUNTU” and fight to ensure that this gift of life should be respected.
As government, the media, civil rights groups and the country's citizens, now say enough is enough, we need to ensure that future incidents like these do not occur- or maybe not that often, and that we take time to know, our neighbours, and to show that no matter what, we can't live as islands.
At the weekend, I went to the mall, and someone's child had walked away from him. The little boy was crying out - yelling for his dad. I jumped up so fast and tried to get the child back to his father. People stared at me as if I was strange or something – or maybe trying to “kidnap” the boy. It was sad that although the father had appreciated it, others just sat, and said “These children don't listen”.
But what do you expect from a three year old – they're innocent children, they need guidance, and to know that there are people out there that will look out for them and ensure that they do get to their parents safely- and without any harm. Well, this may just be an example, but from now on I will remain firm in the fact that it does takes a village to raise a child.
To ensure that he or she knows that they mean something, that they are valued and that they will be protected no matter what. STOP RAPE!!!!!!!
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