There was a terribly tragedy a couple of nights ago. A friend was brutally murdered, his wife beaten (narrowly escaping death). My heart is bleeding for their family and friends – this was a senseless, despicable and inhumane act.

It has led me to wonder why people do such things. Yes, I’ve wondered before, but it has never hit home as hard as this incident has: because now it’s personal. There are many murders and other forms of brutality towards people in South Africa (and around the world), but it isn’t always front page news. I have a feeling a lot of it is hidden from us – the RSA public and the rest of the world. I think we’re all a bit “immune” to violence in our society. Until it happens to one of us, or to someone we know.

People (and animals), no matter who they are, do not deserve to be treated in any way that is immoral, inhumane, violent, abusive or unethical. I can’t understand what would drive another human being to stoop so low that they become lower than animals – because not even animals do this to their own kind. We’ve become a society that’s driven by what we can get out of people, not about how we can build each other up and help one another to prosper (the entire human race).

We’ve become a society of takers, not givers. Yes, there are a lot of people who give of themselves, their time and money towards good causes – but is it really enough to stem the tide of wrong(s) that are being perpetuated? I have begun to realise that this is merely a reaction, and not a remedy.

It appears as though people don’t want to work for the things they want – people would rather take what others have built up or achieved, than contribute meaningfully in their own right. I understand that some are desperate, and turn to a life of crime to survive – but is the violence that is so common really necessary? Is it meant as a scare tactic, a message to others? Why do this? It reeks of dishonour, immorality and pure evil. Yes, there have been and still are injustices in society – but why do we need to resort to such despicable behaviour under the guise of “remedying” or “addressing” the wrongs of the past?

I try to be an optimist – I really do. I want to motivate, inspire, reach out to others with messages of hope and joy and love. I want to write stories that people love to read for the pure joy or excitement or mystery of them.

I don’t want to write about how we are failing ourselves. It appears I must, though, to remain sane, and bring awareness. Life is not all sunshine and roses. It is also bloody, hurtful, full of bias and racism and judgement; it is steeped in all sorts of evils and perils. We can’t allow ourselves to forget this.

It has been said that the one thing history has taught us is that we don’t learn from history – and this is true. It has also been said that history is written by the “victors”, and we need to be so careful of this, because often what is written is only part truth. We should be careful of what we read in the media as well.

We need to look deep within ourselves and decide for ourselves whether what we are doing is just, equitable, moral and honourable – are we really doing what is right (true), or are we spiraling deeper into chaos, immorality and evil?