SA hate victim 'optimistic'
2005-08-10 13:44
Johannesburg - A South African who lost his eye after being attacked in London for wearing a Springbok jersey said on Wednesday he had no plans to come home anytime soon.
Grant Nock, of Little Falls in Roodepoort, was attacked last Sunday while walking home with three friends from a pub where they watched the Springboks beat Australia.
Nock said he and his friends were attacked by a group of youngsters who shouted anti-South African profanities at them saying they should go back home.
He was stabbed in the eye with a sharp object and had to have his eye removed. On Monday, he underwent an operation where his eye was replaced with an artificial one.
Speaking to Sapa on Wednesday morning, Nock said intended staying on in London until his working holiday visa expired.
"I think I will stay on for the remaining 11 months until my visa expires. I am considering extending it for another two to three years though because I have been having such a great time here," said the 25-year-old, who works as a manager for a London-based telecommunications company.
"I refuse to let this experience make me leave London with a bitter taste in my mouth and I certainly won't let it make me change my plans."
Nock left South Africa a year ago to travel across Europe. He said he intended continuing with his plans. He is currently on three weeks sick leave.
"What happened has not really hit me that much. This is because I have had a lot of support from family members and friends. What I need to get used to now is having vision in only one eye. I don't know how this will affect my work but I'm very optimistic," he said.
Nock said he would be in South Africa in September for a friend's wedding.
- SAPA