This section contains the feedback I've received from readers about my website. If you want to give me feedback click here. Your comment will be posted as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that most of the feedback comments received before 3 December 2007 is only relevant to the Crime Expo South Africa debate.
Charine
Thursday, 07 August 2008 16:18
Well done Malan! I'm also a 19 year old student,but at UNISA, and I wish I could inspire my friends and relatives to be as passionate about South Africa as we are. I believe that if you don't take the responsibility to make a positive difference you don't have the privilege to complain when things don't go the way yo want them to.
Yes, there is no denying that we have a crisis in South Africa but I believe, with all my heart, if every citizen just looked after themselves and obey the law in small things, like keeping at the speed limit, we can turn South Africa around for the better.
Thank you for being an inspiration for the youth of our country by showing them "you are never to young to make a positive difference".
I am very happy to have seen your site. It is refreshing to view a site that recognises the extent of the crime rate in South Africa, but does not resort to scare tactics. We (as South Africans) need an informative site, so that we can realise the true extent of the crime problem, but also become aware of measures that are in place to combat the crime. As a criminologist, I struggle on a daily basis to combat stereotypes / myths about the crime in this country. As I write articles I will forward them and then maybe some good debates and solutions can be found / formed to assist with the crime problem.
Again well done to you and I will definitely forward this site to friends and family.
I decided to have a look at the SA bill of rights as in SA constitution, chapter 2, sect.11 - 'Everyone has the right to life', and sect.12(c) - 'to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources'Then I found a white paper - 'Rights and Responsibilities in our Democracy - a case study of the Victims Charter', by Naomi Webster, Department of Justice & Consitiutional Development.Note the following two statements from this white paper:1) Active citizenry is when individuals understand that they have to participate in every sphere of social life, they have to claim their rights and exercise responsibility.2) We cannot lay claim to rights if we do not take an active role in asserting our rights. We should understand that asserting our right is based on knowing, understanding both the right and correlating duty and taking action.What does this mean? The way I understand it is that we as citizens cannot lay claim to (for example) these 2 bill of rights, we have to earn the right to these rights. How do we earn the right to claim these rights? According to government we must become actively involved as a partner with eg. government & private policing agencies to create and ensure a safer 'crime-free' environment.Then I think back (with a heavy heart) of the 100's of thousands of innocent souls (expired SA citizens) of all races over the years that have died a horrific death at the hands of brutal violent criminals roaming our land. Place of death: mostly in the safety of their own homes, Loot taken: stupid cellphones, little cash, some cars, Motive: greed and hate.I am sure a good % of the dead participated in some form of partnership with government in trying to exercise their rights whether be involved in community policing, educating someone in the joys of living in a safer community, etc.BUT now they are all DEAD!These % of dead people have earned their right to claim the 2 mentioned bill of rights above (if I understand the contents of the white paper above correctly), but what good is this so-called SA bill of rights to them? They are all DEAD!We need to stay alive to exercise our rights, we need to be safe in our homes.For the life of me, I cannot understand why some clever lawyer with guts hasn't taken this the Constitutional court. I am just a stupid engineer, guess what a young aggressive lawyer/s with guts can do.Oh, I forgot, there's the green (money) issue...Brother Angus (the preacher, with all respect) is probably a good thing, but if the 10's of 1000's he attracts can donate just 10 bucks, it can go quite a way to build a damn case with the Constitutional court they will never forget.If there's SA's out there with guts, let me know your ideas how to get the damn ball rolling. And the SA's I am talking about are citizens of our country (irrespective of race), we all have AT THE VERY LEAST the right to be free from violence and to be safe in our place of living (without having to earn it) in order to exercise the right to the rest of the SA bill of rights.
Hi Malan, About two weeks ago I returned to the UK from my break in SA feeling positive and happy - so much so that I am now planning to move back! When I was 17 my parents moved the family to the UK and I have gone back for holidays on a few occasions since.
After a few days of being back this time I felt that this was where I belonged. Yes, SA has it's problems and yes, things could be done to improve the lives of many people however, our country is amazing in so many ways. Its easy to sit and watch the events happening over there to criticise the government and the people - it's harder to go back and try and make SA a better place for everyone in it.
I am thoroughly excited about returning home - once I've got my British citizenship completed I'm out of here! You are welcome to post this on your site - I think what you're doing is fantastic and positive. Alot of people need some perspective! Having spent the last ten years here in England I have realised that SA despite all it's problems is a country of opportunity and hope - a hope that I feel so strongly and that's why I'm going back. As a child growing up my family experienced first hand violent crime but the past will not dissuade me from my mission to go join my fellow countrymen in helping our country to remain the vibrant society that it is.
My son was robbed after the Manchester United game at Newlands today. They took his cell phone. According to the police, he was not the only one and they told him many people were robbed at the game today. So much for 2010!!! This will be the last time i send my kids to any game - be it at Newlands or anywhere else. Its disgusting. I cant for one minute think why anyone would want to visit this country.
P. CooperDear Malan, I have visited South Africa the last two Februaries for 3 weeks. I started in Cape Town, going up the Garden Route to East London and Port Elizabeth, then on to Durban. I then stayed a week in Natal, some with my cousin.As an Englishman, I have found the people wonderfully hospitable although I spent little time in Cape Town, which could be the reason. When watching schools cricket, the pupils were incredibly polite and well behaved. There do not seem to be drunken teenagers... Read more/Comment
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As I am a student, I don't have much time, apart from my holidays, to do research and write articles. I would appreciate if volunteers e.g. blog owners, freelance journalists or criminologists would allow me to place their articles (credit will be given to the author). Articles just need to be in line with the mission of the website (see About). Contact me
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Getting behind the statistics to offer a sober and sobering account of the scale of the crime problem and its evolution, the book describes how government has sometimes sought to deal with the crisis and sometimes sought to deny its existence. The book ends with some suggestions of what needs to be done to deal with this scourge. Buy
