Ubuntu - a word all South Africans are familiar with, but do not all fully understand nor experience when we continue living life in our own little bubbles.
There are many interpretations of this Zulu and Xhosa word, but they all boil down to my favourite and that is:
Humanity towards others.
Mass looting in Durban
The looting started exactly a week ago; I will not go into the details, but briefly sum up what's been happening in our beautiful province of Kwazulu Natal with its rolling green hills and valleys; a peaceful province that is a tourist attraction not only for the stunning sandy beaches but also for the majestic Drakensberg mountain range, game reserves, cultural villages and much much more.
Protests against the imprisonment of our ex-president Zuma for contempt of court during his trial for corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering, started last Friday and soon escalated into looting and massive damage to shopping malls and warehouses on a scale never seen before in our province.
Scores of looters died, trampled to death by fellow looters!
A friend saw something from her apartment that was quite unbelievable; a woman who had looted a nearby furniture store pushing a trolley loaded to the brim with a television and other goods; next moment a taxi screeched to a halt, 6 guys jumped out and stole her loot, leaving her standing with an empty trolley. My friend said she almost felt sorry for this woman as she looked so dejected with her empty trolley; funny but not funny at all!
Business, Shopping, Transport of goods and Life in general brought to a standstill
Transport was halted on the N3, which is the main route for transporting goods between Johannesburg and Durban; Transnet declared a force majeure at the Durban and Richards Bay harbours.
With mass looting and petrol bombs being hurled at buildings and vehicles, businesses closed and we started living in fear that we would be the next target.
My brother, who currently works in Kazakhstan, lost some of his belongings that was in storage in a warehouse that was set on fire to gain access for looting.
They of course stole his trailer and used it to cart goods.
Remember this beautiful light I shared in one of my posts recently that was made by my cousin? This one is still hanging in their new home, but its' twin was in storage and left by the looters, looks like it's also damaged. I have not even spoken to my sister in law who is living in the new smaller home they're renting as we've been kept busy with getting whatever supplies we could from small Pakistani food stores that stayed open as we still had guests in our bnb.
My brother and his wife planned on building a new home last year, but then lockdown happened and that was put on hold, so some of their goods had to go into storage; sadly all gone now!
Threat of home invasions
The scariest part for us was the threat of home invasions, which were taking place with homemade petrol bombs being thrown at some homes.
The deplorable and massive carnage at shopping malls however, was beyond belief!
To say it's been an awful week, is putting it mildly.
The worst was not being able to buy food nor fuel; so I had to ration food like never before; the pantry was fairly full but fresh supplies were extremely low.
I cannot even imagine how the poorest of the poor are managing during this time, as many rely on feeding schemes which cannot operate during this time.
Soldiers deployed
Calm seem to be returning now that the government has finally deployed soldiers to our province; said to be the largest deployment in the new democracy, with 25 000 soldiers on the ground.
Ubuntu
However, back to my opening paragraph and the word Ubuntu.
This week with food and fuel shortages, Ubuntu was sparked between neighbours.
During everyday living, we're all too busy living our own lives so simply wave or say a quick Hi, how are you? in passing.
What happened now was that I finally got to know my new neighbour who has been living next door for about three years already! We messaged each other and the conversation turned to what foods we had in abundance and what we were short of, and so we swopped food across the fence and had a good long chat.
My neighbour on the other side with whom we have been friends for years as Khanyi used to travel to and from work with me, stood in the food store queue one day for hours and bought a couple of necessities for us; although things like eggs were unobtainable.
Many people on our neighbourhood watch community group were advising on where one could order fresh bread and pick-up or where to buy certain foods.
The Grey Street Mosque in central Durban put together a valuable little recipe book with the most divine recipes for all kinds of breads and shared it via WhatsApp, telling us we're welcome to forward it to as many people as possible. It is in pdf format so I am not sure how to add it here, but what an awesome gesture at a time when we're all making our own breads.
Many communities banded together; all creeds and colours, with the backing of private security companies as well as local police stations to protect key points as well as entrances into suburbs.
These men and women put their lives at risk to protect the ordinary citizens, and I salute each and every one of them! My son is also taking part in that operation, so mother Hen has been quite worried about him, but with calmness returning, I feel a whole lot more positive and not so stressed.
Back at Home
We removed our BnB sign as we were afraid that we may be targeted as many businesses were attacked, but we continued working on the garden and pathway on the side of the BnB cottage. Our talented gardener has learned many skills from hubby who is a retired civil engineer, but Bongikosi tells me he prefers planting and tending to the garden and his love for this shows, as everything he plants flourishes, he really has green fingers. I can't wait to show you this project once it's completed, but here is a peek of it.
Another section of the garden that has been replanted.
Right across from that flower bed is another one that's flourishing so it's being left as is.
We are blessed indeed to have so much tranquility around us, but really got caught up in the horrors of the past week!
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We thank God that you guys are safe and yes, I believe that there is more trouble ahead.
Everyone here is on full alert, as we have also received some warnings.
Sad to hear about you brother's stuff and many losses were suffered all over. We pray that our country will not sink into the quagmire of lawlessness and that the killings will stop.
Ubuntu is indeed taking place as there is a new spirit of support and kindness between all of the races that survived this onslaught.
Take care my friend.
Thank you my friend, my prayers are that these people realize the wrong that they've done and that it doesn't spread to the beautiful Cape🙏🏻
The camaraderie between the people has been incredibly encouraging!
Take care and stay safe...and warm🤗
My worry is that I have just heard that they are burning today in Grey Street and we hope that it's not near you guys?
Nothing took place over here thus far, but everyone stays on high alert.
Please also take care.
The tragedy in South Africa...
Unfortunately, it happened to...
But now we must think of the future!
To restore a normal life!
Lisa, I wish you strength, patience, courage!
The neighbors have come together and helped each other - that’s very good!
It’s gonna be okay!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart @bartolomee!
This coming together of neighbours has been an amazing thing to have experienced and I'm so thankful for that!
The thief is robbed - sounds funny, but it's all a tragedy. I have no words for what's going on down there in South Africa, @Lizelle. I am glad that you are safe and all neighbors help together - I hope it stays that way and this horror ends soon. Take care.
!BEER and !WINE - both make a nice dinner with !PIZZA :)
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Thank you so much for your words of encouragement @johannpiber, and yes it does sound funny but funny it ain't, not so! A tragedy beyond words is the only way one can describe what happened; thankfully our people are robust and caring so I believe we will get through it and come out stronger.
I have read a few minutes ago in another post "what doesn't kill you will make you stronger". Of course it was meant for something different, but I'm sure you will get through it and be better than before 🤞
!PIZZA and !BEER - sounds like a nice dinner :)
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@lizelle. We keep hearing and watching the tragedy take place over there. I don't know what to say. God bless SA.
Thank you my friend, our country is hurting and the saddest of this is that the ones suffering the most, are the poorest of the poor as they rely on doing odd jobs, they call it 'piece work', like a bricklayer who does work for us at times and when he has no work, hubby sends him money that he an access at atm's, but even the atm's were not operational, many of them ripped out during the pillaging. It's been horrific but heartwarming to see how the communities grew closer. Thank you for the blessings, our country needs all the prayers as the ones behind this are now planning taking over farmlands by force!
How safe do you feel where you are? No threats of violence or cops anywhere near you, right?
We're pretty safe but no thanks to the police, it's our community members who have been guarding our road and other entrance points! Despite that, someone threw a largish stone towards our fence on Monday night after we saw someone walking down the road late at night. We initially thought it was one of the patrollers going home but hubby went and sat outside and a little later this stone came from the bank across the road which is the back of the school. Later someone saw a guy running down the road and even later that night we heard gun shots. It's been a very disturbing week!
Insert whatever I can say to make you feel better. You're in our prayers. I'm reading this conversation to Pura. Surreal.
Thank you so much @dandays, it makes me feel better to know that you & Pura are praying for us and our country, my prayers go out to you and Pura as well!
I was like a small kid today, managed to get the most divine fresh produce as well as dried beans and pulses plus dates and raisins so will be turning the family into vegans/ vegetarians every alternate night until things normalize, otherwise just continue eating that way! I'm not a big meat lover in any case, but the men are!
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@lizelle, you wrote that on Monday something terrible has to happen (by rumour).
Today is over Monday... but I’m worried about you!
Lisa, what’s your situation now? Are you okay?
Hey @bartolomee, thank goodness it was just a rumour, and so far nothing further has happened. We've got food and fuel and many people went back to work although many others are working from home.
Thank you so much for your concern my friend.
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I was shocked when I saw the videos on Facebook. Hope that you and your family are safe.
It's been beyond awful, we can't believe that human beings could behave like this, thank you for the good wishes @positivesteem. We're thankfully in a safe suburb, thanks to the community, not the police!
It is very sad and tragic that these incidents occur. Will remember you and your family in my prayers.
It is awfully tragic indeed, I really appreciate your prayers @positivesteem!
Reading this did my soul the world of good. I do hope we're through the worst of this.
Thank you Fiona, we pray that the worst is over, but there's rumours already that something bigger is planned for Monday but I'm taking it with a pinch of salt as it may just be rumours and nothing more.
I'm glad you enjoyed the blog :)
I do hope not. "Planned for Monday" leads me to ask what they're waiting for. As the events of a week ago, surprise is a serious advantage.
I do hope,as you say,it's just rumours.
Good evening 🤗
What a tragedy, my friend. I pray that things will evolve and your life will improve.
Thank you so much @zeleiracordero-2, things seem to be back to as normal as can be with many food stores opening up. Appreicate your concern.
We don't have more conflicts in Venezuela. We have been in piece for 4 years and I hope it stays like that. Sad that lady lost its TV set and the money she spent to buy it.
I'm so happy to hear that you have peace in your country now @ladyfont, that lady had stolen everything in that trolley, she was part of the looters as none of the stores were open that day with all the looting taking place, everyone closed their doors and barricaded it as they had started looting in other parts of our city on Friday already but that did not deter the looters. So that's why it was so ironic that her stolen goods were stolen by other thugs!
Thank you for popping in.
Oh dear, here we say that a thief that steal a thief has thousand years of forgiveness.
LOL, I've never heard that saying:)
This is why you unfollowed me instead of even trying to help me?
Your sarcasm towards a wonderful Hivean is not appreciated! That is not what this wonderful Hive community is all about!
Your comments have been explosive and not very nice in many instances, kindness is an attribute I admire and I prefer following like-minded people.
This community should not be about ignoring the people in need either.
I don't know why you believe Hiveans are selective and only support those that are thriving here! My friend that you keep on passing sarcastic comments about, in fact has been supporting and reblogging many newbies, impossible to support everyone!
This is not the way to win support nor make friends!
Our community help many who post quality undervalued content.
Please do yourself a favour as these kind of comments will actually not help grow your account, I can understand if you're going through tough times as I've been there myself.
Wow, I am blown away at how quickly life can change for the worse. Such violence and out of control anarchy is so scary @lizelle coming without any warning. I felt scared reading your post. I hope stability comes soon and life gets back to normal. . There is such a dark side to humanity that I find hard to understand let alone accept. I would teleport you bread, eggs and fresh food if it were only possible.
We had basic food at home, and finally managed to get fresh produce and fridge items. My big concern still is for those who live from hand to mouth but it was amazing to see the aide that came from all quarters with food parcels at churches and retirement homes.
Yes it was unbelievable and so scary seeing the horrific destruction and looting!
Positivity, Love & Healthiness my friend...
A very difficult environment!
On the verge ...
I wish everything was good.
Take care of yourself and your families!