I’m a bit saddened about the fact that I am writing this post.
This post is going to be a bit of a rant, a bitch and an accusation.
To everyone who has ranted, bitched, moaned, sworn and threatened me on this blog, where are you now? To all the people who have asked me for answers and who have begged me to wake up and leave SA, where are you now? And to all those of you who say you want to help and make a difference but don’t know how, where are you now?
Where are you when the I ask you to join me in a march? Where are you when I ask you to take a stand for your country and take ownership of its problems? WHERE ARE YOU?
I’ll tell you where you are – Nowhere. Because there is nowhere and nothing that will make you contented and get you involved. You like to bitch and that’s where it stops. You want to bleed the problem and expose the wound but you want nothing to do with the bandages that heal it.
Why am I ranting? Here are some facts and stats to help you see my frustration:
The first lot come from Facebook, not the best tool I suppose, but it has been used in the past by various groups to rally support for various protests, causes and people suffering around the world.
I created a Facebook group about the Million Man March about a month or two ago. I invited every single one of my 536 friends. The overwhelming response from people was a whopping 300 or so ppl joining the group. I even blogged about the group and the event yet none of the people bitching about SA felt the need to join and try to make a change. Why?
In contrast a group about “BOYCOTT! “Artist” GUILLERMO HABACUC VARGAS.” has countless South Africans and some of my friends clammering to show their support. A dog vs a population suffering at the hands of criminals? What’s wrong with you people?
Then I started the event for the Million Man March on Facebook. The event stats as of this morning:
47 people might show up.
149 people are missing out.
329 people are MIA.
And the part that makes me sad: This event has 15 confirmed guests.
Out of over 500 people invited to the event most couldn’t be bothered to even respond, then the rest are not pitching, another small group felt too guilty to say no, so they said maybe but don’t care either way and 15 people managed to show a public committment to change. Shocking.
I know I sound like some higher than thou preaching-preacher-man. But when I deal with naysayers all day long on this blog and then an event is provided wherein people can get involved, stand up and try to make a difference, NO ONE IS INTERESTED.
Moving to the blogosphere:
Let me ask another question, where is the blogging hype? We can talk about the latest website buyout, who Bolton Deventer might be, and what the A-listers are or aren’t doing but as bloggers we feel no responsibility to expose our readers to the march and the reason for marching? It bugs me because bloggers are always quick to blog about the crime they have experienced and rant and moan (myself included) but we choose not to blog our support for the event and committ to it.
On SA Rocks:
Most commented on posts:
- Protest against crime in SA to be held in LONDON?? (64)
- South Africa’s most influential Blogging personalities (58)
- Lucky Dube shot dead (45)
- Ashley Callie has died (34)
- South Africa, Murder Most Foul (29)
Out of the above posts not a single one is a positive discussion. In fact, in three of them I was lambasted for calling people to action and having an opinion.
More recently I posted a contribution from a reader wherein she was destroyed and picked on for being “privelaged” and writing from that perspective alone. This post received 16 comments.
Yet my interview with Desmond Dube, organiser of the Million Man March received almost no feedback, positive or any other. This post received 1 comment.
Now tell me, what are you doing? How are you getting involved and will you be putting your feet where your negative mouths are? Is crime an important enough issue for you to stop bitching and moaning and actual walk for the cause?
Similar Posts:
- I marched against crime – the badge
- Million man march moved to April
- March against crime
- Does marching really matter?
- Desmond Dube talks to SA Rocks about the Million Man March
Popularity: 6% [?]
April 18th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Part of me agree’s with you, the other part not so much.
On one hand South African’s are totally indifferent but the only people that can make a difference is the government. Unfortunately they are the most indifferent of all South Africans. Seriously Nic, I’m not saying leave or anything but a push against government will make more of a difference than a march against crime.
April 18th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Saul, are the two not inherently linked??
April 18th, 2008 at 10:21 am
It is part of human nature to want to complain. It is our way of coping. To accuse everyone of apathy just because we like to complain is for a lack of a better word – not nice.
We are so bogged down with trying to just keep up, with the rising costs of everything, increased demand at work, apathy from others, corporate greed, crime that sometimes complaining is all we have energy for. On the other side of the coin, where are the ways for people to contribute time to? In my area, I have absolutely no idea if there are any initiatives to help the police or participate in the community forum. I often work late and by the time I am at home I have no energy in trying to track down all the details. This is supposed to be community stuff, it should not be a separate mission to just have the information on where I can make a contribution to the safety of my area. (The community forum information that I did manage to track ended up being incorrect)
Not everyone can initiate programs, but many are simply willing to help with smaller tasks and that for some reason is tougher to do, so we complain. Also, the government is not helping, the impression is that no matter what we rage against in whatever form gets ignored. Racism gets the front page, but people starving because they cannot find work never gets reported.
Calling people names because they complain and do little – will achieve nothing.
P.S. I don’t believe in Marches, petitions on Facebook, etc – useless knowing our government, unless there is a specific goal in place that the organisers believe they can achieve.
The action of the transport workers union, who have refused to unload the ship with weapons headed for Zim, because “”The union does not agree with the position of the South African government not to intervene with this shipment of weapons,” said Randall Howard, the general secretary of the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union.” – quoted from iol.co.za is something to be applauded. Making Thabo Mbeki see how many people suffer from crime has achieved nothing so far,well, except the Safety Minister telling us that if don’t like it, we can leave.
April 18th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Yeah I hear you, but I think people don’t believe that marching will help. Or anything will help, really. Most have given up hope.
For example, there are people in SA marching and toyi-toying all the time, protesting against fundamental issues like poverty, complete lack of housing, etc. See Abahlali baseMjondolos (http://abahlali.org/) for all the terrible details and pictures.
Where does it get them? Arrested, beaten by the police, teargassed. In real terms, absolutely nowhere (I’ve followed the landless people’s movement for a while now).
So, in a middle-class person’s mind, what will a peaceful march against crime do?
The fundamental change that needs to happen is for us middle class people to BELIEVE that we can influence the direction of this country’s politics, using that great tool of freedom, democracy.
Unfortunately, ANC have stated their intentions to rule until “the cows come home”, and nobody believes that there will be a serious challenge to that for a long, long time.
I believe that efforts towards true community policing are a far more valuable way to combat crime.
For example, where is the Web 2.0 site that allows people to upload details of crime in their neighbourhoods and connect to share details, form task teams, help each other identify patterns, etc? I want to help to make that website.
These are the things that we can excel at.
April 18th, 2008 at 10:32 am
J – Fair point, but I am not berating peoples need to complain, I am saying that if you want to complain then you must act on your complaints when the opportunity is afforded to you.
Your entire comment proves what I have just posted, people like to complain, but make excuses when it comes to giving of their time, taking 1 day off work, becoming a support police officer (there are programs for that by the way, i know at least 3 of my immediate friend who assist police twice a week at nights or on weekends), or march.
You might not believe in marching but solidarity does less than unity. Read this post that I blogged a while back, it justifies my reasons for marches: Does marching really matter?.
Mark: Brilliant idea, Primedia started an initiative where you can sms tipoffs anonymously, maybe we should approach them and get this site you are talking about off the ground??
April 18th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Is it safe to come out yet?
April 18th, 2008 at 11:25 am
For me, a big problem was the fact that it falls on a weekday. I cant take off work to be there, even though i work for a nice, happy sa company, I still have deadlines and clients. I mean I might be able to make it but I wont know till that week or even the day before, so my response remains a “maybe”
the second issue, in my opinion, that there was a very little info in the beginning. I wont stake my life on this, but I am pretty sure the website arrive after the group, and whenever I had asked anyone about it, their response was “i dont know either”, so i lost interest.
Just gone back to the facebook group and will invite people, but i think there should have been more info and clarity in the beginning…
April 18th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Hey, I believe it would work, maybe even just 10 000/ 100 000 people in CT and Joeys. And especially the middle classes, get out of the rat-race, take a days leave….. It will at least FEEL LIKE ACTION. And we can show OTHER COUNTRIES that we are not apathetic and we don’t accept what’s going on, and we won’t just hide behind our fences.
As for the goverment: let’s come up with some good placard ideas, and carry those….
What”s to lose ?
Where do I confirm attendance (providing it’s in my city)
April 18th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Anita – visit the MillionManMarch website and confirm there. There are alot of people signing up.
Kate – But if you read my interview with Dube he states (and I agree) that a mid-week march shows how much people are committed to change. It’s an all-or-nothing approach, granted, but i think it matters. I am applying for a day’s leave. I also have deadlines, but the world wont stop turning for one day of work.
Paul – Safe??
April 18th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Nic, I need to concur with SaulK. My personal opinion is that it is not that people are not willing to participate in such action, but rather a case of the fact that they know the government will not bat an eyelid (even if a million people do march.) People have simply concluded that the government have very little interest in dealing with crime. Our President downplays the seriousness of crime, so will he give a damn whether the whole country pulled together and marched? I think not. Hundreds of marches against crime have had no reaction from government officials. Nic, too often people are asked to make a difference and contribute to finding a solution. Well, it is impossible to even try and make a difference if you have a government that are not willing to show the same commitment. Let me add that I commend Desmond Dube for his huge efforts.
April 18th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Nic, you totally ignored this part of my comment: I mean I might be able to make it, but I wont know till that week or even the day before, so my response remains a “maybe”
and a lot of people don’t work in the liberal media field that you and I do.
I am not saying it is an insurmountable issue, just that it is one, and probably for a lot of people.
I am not really arguing with you, just pointing out a few reasons why some people may be reticent with their commitment.
I really hope it is well attended and achieves all it has set out to.
April 18th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Kaite – Look I see what you saying, and yes work is a problem, but by insinuation you are saying that crime isn’t a big enough problem to take 1 day of work off to try and make a difference.
ST – so what you and Saul are saying is that because of the obstacles in place it’s not worth trying? Imagine if Mandela had said that? And, go check out the link i dropped in my comment above, it will give you an idea of exactly what 1 million people can look and feel like. It’s mind-blowing.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Nic,
Maybe there’s a possible misunderstanding. I would be the first to join, but I know the government will maintain their slack approach to solving the issue of crime. Nic, do you believe the government will ever act ruthlessly against crime?
April 18th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
ST – Maybe not, but then is it not in our hands to show the country, the politicians, the beauraucrats and the criminals that this is OUR country and we want to fix it and make things right? Is that not our jov as members of a community?
I agree, there are limits to what we can do, but again, I call on apartheid as an example. That was an established regime that people believed to be the word, but the people rose up and the people changed it.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
by insinuation you are saying that crime isn’t a big enough problem to take 1 day of work off to try and make a difference.
No, i am saying not everyone has that option.
I do think it is a serious problem. I do want to do something about it, (see here http://tinyurl.com/5gmt5j). I do think a million people marching might make a difference.
i just thought your rant was misplaced, for the reasons above.
Tired now: can we call it quits?
April 18th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Good call to action Nic, and I can understand your frustration.
Personally, my sentiments regarding marches [although I missed all the invites] are similar to those expressed above – doubtful that they actually achieve their goals, based on historical legacy, I guess. However, I respect your efforts to make this work, and looking at the mmm site, hope that you will see it make the impact you’re looking to make.
I still believe that we need to look a bit more at the causes of the crime to try to make SA safer, although I acknowledge that’s not a short-term solution.
But all that aside, good to see you using this voice to push these issues as much as you do!
April 18th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Katie – Hahahaha, ofcourse we can, enjoy debating with you! Always fun.
April 18th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
cool.
p.s. giving the site and facebook group a little link love (not that i get very many visitors). Maybe a badge for sites would be a good way to spread the word?
April 18th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I don’t join groups on facebook. I will be marching… 1000 000 people marching, 500 000 or even 200 000 people marching can make a difference – it’s a statement towards a commitment/collective change of consciousness…and creates urgency and attention due to the economic effect if held on a work day.
I hope that the organisers of MMM have strong representatives who will drive change/commitment from government post the march. I have contacted them with my offer of support in this regard and I think all others who are truly committed to SA should do the same.
I believe SArocks needs to stay a mouthpiece for the unification of passionate and positive SAfricans and stay committed to the betterment of SA, not a medium for personal attacks.
April 18th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Christof!! My friend, long time no see on the blogosphere!
I see your point, I do. But at some point you need to realise that I am a person and pushing endlessly and being slammed for it is tough and sometimes it actually is the responsibility of the individual, and I am calling that out.
You took the initiative, you took a stand and offered your help. That’s fantastic and the best thing I’ve heard so far on this thread. One individual can enduce change. I firmly believe that.
I also hope their representation is strong enough to see their goals through when we actually march.
April 18th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Nic: All I’m saying is that we s South African’s don’t actually care enough to solve this problem ourselves.
Not all of us can be the next Mandela and frankly I have little emotional connection to this country beyond the fact that it is where I was born. A million people could march to the Union Buildings, a billion even. You know what our fearless leader Thabo will say: Nothing as per usual.
Leadership comes from the top and if the average South African decided not to vote for the most incompetent choice (simply because of political background and certainly not for ability or skills) they can find then the situation will never change.
You and I are fine at the end of the day, we can leave if the “fit hits the shan” but frankly I feel nothing for a country that has put itself (and continues through the election of people like Jacob Zuma) down through incompetent leaders.
April 18th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Emotionally I am tied to SA with a million threads. This is one of the major factors that keeps me here. My head has furious debates with my heart on the whole issue. I will march. I just want to put my feet where I so often put my mouth.
April 18th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
IF i were the president, i would LOVE your comments because it would mean that, my position is secure and comfortable. Citizens who have given up!WHAT A BALL. Citizens who just moan, and bitch and don’t display their concerns in public,WOW MY WEAKNESSES ARE PROTECTED! Tax payers who are complacent! EVERY LEADERS DREAM! Do you know how much champaign they are goung toast to if they see this post.If they see that all of you are already telling Dube and his team that you can not be bothered to come!
Yes Nic there have been marches in this country against crime before, but NONE of them had a million people. And the reason why the government can turn a blind eye is because they can see that WE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT UNITED. The criminals are having a party with us because WE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT UNITED. The motto on the Million Man March is that “EVIL PREVAILS WHEN GOOD MEN SIT AND DO NOTHING” so for all those that cannot afford to take the day of, for all those who think the rest of us who are taking leave are fools, for all those that honestly think a million people cannot sway a vote, for all those who will only march on a weekend “when it is convenient” then i pray that crime does not inconvinience you when you are hijacked on your way to the very job that you treasure above your life. I pray that you are not someones father, mother, son or daughter because you would be saying to them-that you are willing to do NOTHING, not even to try to make a change. To all of you EVIL WILL PREVAL because, by not taking action you CHOOSE to do nothing!
Nic we will be together at the march. I would not be able to look myself in the mirror the next day, having watched other people gathering for something that JUST MIGHT benefit me and my family later!
April 19th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Spot on Lebo!
I guess the moaning and bitterness is the great cancer to fight in this country. I can not wait to stand among all those south africans, who get together because they want change because they want to be part of that change. Those are the south Africans I want to know. How government is going to react is insignificant to what our people could achieve when they unite, and to me this march is going to be a first introduction to those people, lets show them!
I however found it very difficult to update myself on the march details, as the mmm website did not seem to process my comments.
Today I found out that the march is moved to 10 june, is that true? I am going to put a lot of effort into spreading the news.
Thank you for everything.
April 20th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Hi
I stumbled on this blog only a few hours ago and I am filled with tears
I am part of a group travelling the globe for a year for an alcohol brand, fun and exciting yes, but here’s the part that kills me.
We are all from different, me being the only South African, I meet so many people everyday, I used to love telling them I am from South Africa.
Now I have to brace myself for either being told how beautiful and dangerous it is, or that they know someone who used to live in SA and left because things are so bad, or that they heard white people aren’t safe. Or meeting South Africans that have left and have nothing good to say. I have never in my 23 years been exposed to people without pride in SA. My heart breaks into a million pieces as my bubble is burst almost everyday.
I had never left my country before, sad as that may sound, and I’m experiencing something amazing, but I don’t have the strength anymore, to argue with ignorant people, who probably get their info from people born from this brilliant country but have no gratitude or praise for it. I almost don’t think there is a need to leave, the world is great, but SA has everything I need and love
Thank you for this blog
This is what will keep me going for the next six months until I get home
Thank you
April 20th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Watched Us vs Lennon last night and was blown away by the million people singing “all we are saying is give peace a chance” A million people is a lot!
Very weird to think that they had Lennon and Yoko back than using their celebrity status full on to achieve peace and change and we have uhm Paris Hilton??? I am very hopeful though, minds are changing, and blogs like this give the optimist hope and shows them they are not alone. And Nic I can imagine you feel like John Lennon surrounded by Paris Hiltons sometimes but have faith please.