We should all try to help
Vanessa Pepper writes by email: After having read a very sad and touching story in the Brakpan Herald on Friday, February 6 ('Fighting for survival'), regarding the homeless people who have set up camp at the dam, I am not only saddened, but I am also very angry.
Poverty affects so many people in all parts of our country and yet so many people are so quick to judge and look down on these people or, worse yet, turn a blind eye!
Instead of lending a helping hand to those in need, most people assume the worst and offer their misguided judgement.
It seems so unfair that when people are down and out on their luck and they try to make a plan there will be that someone — and probably someone who has more money than most — to put a damper on their already bad situation.
These poor people are just trying to live and provide for their families the best way that they can with the limited resources they have.
Why is it a problem for these people to live in tents (not harming anyone) and get issued with a seven-day notice to vacate the area, but it is perfectly fine for other people to squat along the road (and most times obstruct traffic and pollute the areas with their filth), under highway bridges or wherever else they decide to set up home? Do they also get issued with seven day notices to vacate the area?
Where is the fairness in that?
Where is the socio-economic development that our country constantly preaches about?
Is it not high time that this country gets its act together and actually does something regarding the poverty?
We are all fellow South Africans and we should all try to help where we can and not be selective of who we help!
Read the story here: Fighting for survival
