'I'm alive, my dog's alive'
2007-02-02 00:02
Stellenbosch - Anton Goosen, who was robbed, beaten and left naked on a farm road a week ago, has brought his Jack Russell terrier, Skye, with him to unwind in Stellenbosch after their "very long night".
The "Liedjieboer" is still jittery about the robbery, which took place at his Hennop's River farm, but says: "I'm OK, the sun's shining. I'm alive. My dog is alive.
"It takes away one's dignity. In the blink of an eye, your spirit's broken. Now, I'm taking it one day at a time."
Many people drop by to wish him well and support him, some sharing their own tales of crime and punishment.
"I understand now, when people tell how they became the victims of crime. I looked at it from a distance before this, now I hear what they're saying...
"It's like a movie reel that's been imprinted in my head, and doesn't want to go away.
"I was actually amazed that my story was in the news. It's so commonplace, these days.
Needs time to reflect
"While I was being attacked, three or four others, in other parts of the country, also were being attacked."
He doesn't plan to "run away" and he's been advised to write down his experiences.
"It's a beautiful country we have, for all of us," he said.
His friend, Coenie de Villiers, says it's "a helluva way to overcome writer's block".
But, right now, he needs time to reflect, on his own.
Goosen doesn't think he will sleep in that room on his farm- he won't feel safe there for a long time, in any case, he says.