EDITOR – As I write, I recall a recent message from the pastor of a local church, regarding something psychologists termed as ‘bystander syndrome’.
In this particular incident a young woman was brutally murdered while several individuals in close proximity did not respond to her anguished cries for help.
Her ordeal took more than 90 minutes while the ‘bystander syndrome’ individuals either closed their curtains or turned up the television to drown out the sound, hoping that someone else would help. If I recall correctly, the number of individuals who heard and did not respond was 37. If one person had responded, she may have lived since her killer ran away when he thought someone was coming. He returned to finish her off after seeing no response.
After experiencing this syndrome to some degree or another, it is up to us to determine whether we will help or stand by. Let us be true followers of Christ, who suffered all things for us.
The pensioners and families in crisis express their gratitude to individuals and organisations who have assisted them and wish all a blessed Christmas. Housed at 8/10 Umfuleni Road, Doonside (Old Salvation Army building), they have been given one month’s notice to vacate the premises by 31 December 2016. We would like to invite the community to assist in any way they can with this cause as they have very little means and nowhere else to go.
May God richly bless all who take the time to read this and fill up your lives with all you dream of.
SHARON VAN BILJON
