I don’t know about you, but I for one am tired of bad news.
Take our daily dose of crime, service complaints and add to that the most recent xenophobia outbreak and you have communities across our country stuck in a dark hole of depression, with the majority no longer having the will or drive to find their way out of that hole.
The above is a summary of my thoughts when the first reports of xenophobia spreading to Jhb reached the local newsrooms.
This was followed by 48 hours of this editor glued to a tablet and cellular phone, engaged in constant communication with journalists on-scene to ensure we keep our online audience informed, from a local point of view, about this story which had by then developed into an international headline story.
(Although I am amazed daily by the power of online media, I will admit I have on more than one occasion, wished for a day like the ‘good old days’ with one weekly deadline on one media platform and no social media to monitor).
It was only after Friday’s deadline madness that I realised the difference made by Bedfordview community members, who pulled together to help foreign nationals seeking refuge in neighbouring Primrose.
By Friday night, the Bedfordview ward councillor, Clr Jill Humphreys, posted photos on Facebook showing mountains of food, clothing and blankets donated by communities.
In reply to the post, residents from Bedfordview expressed pride in being part of the Bedfordview community, who did not hesitate to aid their foreign neighbours in Primrose.
Residents from Edenvale also showed their support after Clr Heather Hart announced a collection drive on Sunday. Residents from Kensington joined these efforts and numerous collections from the Johannesburg East areas were also dropped off at collection points. Pick n Pay at Bedford Centre and Park Meadows added to the mountains of goods collected in Bedfordview. Well done to each and every person who acknowledged and responded to this plight.
