Lots to cover this week. I had to wait until after the Rugby World Cup (which our Bokke won) before this update. Then there are some crime issues once again, which is a problem that won't go away soon. A worrying issue with the soccer in 2010.

First things first - a regular reader and correspondent had a run in with some carjackers. Charles has relocated from the UK and wrote an article for this site in 2005. And again this year after their arrival in this beautiful country. Since then I'm sure it's been a bit of an adjustment getting used to the new South Africa. And the new South Africa once again stood up to it's reputation. This is his story...

We were carjacked last Sunday (14/10/2007). We got home from a nice afternoon out, nothing special, drew up in the driveway, opened the door of the car to find three dark gentlemen with guns telling us to get out of the car. An attempt to find a pepper spray on the floor resulted in a clip round the face, and a threat to shoot my wife, so we all complied.

My wife started screaming LOUD, and the three vermin decided to call it a day – piled into the car, with my wallet and keys, and were gone. The car was 17 years old, but an import from UK, a Toyota Celica,

These guys are like wild dogs without the dogs self respect, and there are so many of them that a cull has got to start soon. Law abiding people in South Africa are living under siege from the criminal elements, and it has to stop. My personal preference is for crucifixion along the roadsides, as in Spartacus, but I would be happy with slightly less dramatic and less messy methods, if they worked.

Lucky Dube was not as lucky as we were. He is dead.

It is not just the threat of violent death, but the sheer cost, inconvenience, and, as a friend of mine put it after a house invasion – the feeling that you have been raped. I must admit, if I was lucky enough to meet one of the robbers, I would now not hesitate to administer a .45” sleeping potion to him. I doubt my feelings will soften or change for a long time to come.

The government must double the police force, pay them well, and let them rip at crime – no half measures, no concentration on 'drinking in public' or other heinous crimes, but get stuck in to the violent criminals and stop them dead in their tracks. How many visitors in 2010 will be mugged, carjacked, raped or murdered, or maybe all four. Talk about the Big Five!!

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eBlockwatch has been a driving force in curbing crime in the dearer neighbourhoods of Johannesburg. This anti-crime organisation has proven it's concept to great success. But to show that we can still stand together, this story from Pretoria.

Now, the rugby -

Remember not that long ago how Jake White was lambasted for picking a non-representative team for the world cup? Remember how we were threatened that the Springbok insignia will be removed and how players' passports will be confiscated?

The same Minister of Sport is now wearing the Springbok colours with pride. On the SABC breakfast show he told a different story. Now the team was the right team to win the cup. Now the green and gold with the Springbok insignia is not only good enough, it's the epitomy of a unified South Africa. Now Jake White shouldn't be fired as the coach. Isn't that what we've become accustomed to of the ANC government?

And those England players who ignored Thabo Mbeki - shame on you. You're a disgrace to your nation who claim to be a first world country. You made an remarkable comeback on the field and you played your best (even if you got the try that was not), but accept defeat like men. The blatant push on Montgomery and subsequent apologies was nevertheless a red card offense, which you got away with. Why would some of you not acknowledge our President (even if some of us don't like him too much). All I can say is that my respect for the national rugby team of England 2007, has gone. Crawl back into your uncivilised holes you came out of.

Back here, the morning of the final match another distasteful murder happened. This time another remarkable international figure lost his life. Lucky Dube has been making music for years and to die at the hands of cowardly (even I have to admit, more so than those UK players) hijackers is not becoming of a man who rejected violence and crime. Another global player in the music world is gone and the publicity that goes with that can only damage this country further. Again, it's been amazing how quickly the police were on top of things. Why can't this happen with all crimes (especially murders)?

Normal people like most of us are just statistics and too many of us are getting killed for the police to set up a task team to investigate each case. That's the truth of it.

Are we happy about the Rugby World Cup trophy? Will it unite our nation? From what I've seen not only in our local little town, but from news reports across South Africa - yes! I have never seen this sort of intense interest in rugby from blacks (in general). Can our soccer squad stand up and be counted? Sadly, no. Will we ever win the rugby world cup again? Probably not. If we get new players of colour in the same class as JP Pietersen and (national hero) Bryan Habana, for sure.

 

Let's have your ideas -

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