Crime and security

Today I heard about a car hi-jacking in our town - there are many of these in South Africa each day. When Megan and I lived in Pretoria we were much more vigilant about safety (mainly because we had been victims of crime a few times over a short period). However, where we live now, in Somerset West (just outside of Cape Town), crime is a much less prominent concern.

Last night's hi-jacking was in our area. An elderly couple were approached by some young men who placed a gun to a lady's head and stabbed her husband (even though he did not resist). They took the car and left.

Incidents like this cause me to worry! I love the fact that my daughter can ride her bicycle to school (two blocks from our home). However, I am so anxious about her doing this going forward. I've heard of many people who have been stabbed for a cell phone (in fact my friend Prof Neville Richardson was beaten up a few years ago for his cell phone).

The complexity in South Africa is that crime is frequently related to poverty and desperation. The gap between the rich (like me) and the poor is the highest in the world! This is certain to cause crime. So, we work to reduce this gap. We create employment, and we give preference to previously dissadvantaged persons. However, this process is leading to a breakdown of the necessary structures in society due to a lack of capacity and skill to deliver the necessary services of government agencies and large companies.

So, what do we do? What do I do? I'd love to hear you input and feedback!

I will say in conclusion that I love South Africa, I love our cultural diversity, and I am committed to a new future. But, I worry that we're sitting on a time bomb!