Reality is all you can hope for

In response to your and Jo Kruger’s comments (‘Vagrants are just waiting for opportunities’, Courier, April 3), I’ve noticed a disturbing trend in our soft-bellied ‘progressive’ society. It is safe to say that the majority of individuals believe they have the ‘right’ to do and act as they wish, despite the inevitable consequences that all too often come to pass.
As people the only thing we deserve is in fact our day to day reality. Everything else is merely a hope, a wish and a dream.
The reality for us South Africans, even for those of us fortunate enough to reside in a “town, a tourist resort” such as Ballito, is that we are not always safe. Expecting the police to keep us safe whilst declaring ‘bad things should not happen to good people in safe places’ is a weak and non self-reliant attitude to adopt.
If this attitude is adopted and encouraged by the media we immediately assume the position of a small child playing with its toys on the floor of its parents’ home. We fail to take responsibility for our actions because Mommy and Daddy are always one cry away and constantly on hand to ensure we are safe, warm and comfortable.
All too often I’ve warned my female friends and partners over the years to be 100% aware of the REALITY of any and all situations they may find themselves in. Despite the fact that they also ‘expect to be safe’ and have the ‘rights’ to do and go as and where they wish i.e. going for a walk alone and unarmed at dawn or dusk.
However I’ve become somewhat used to a general rebuttal when these instances have arisen. My dear lady friends take offence at being advised about potentially dangerous and violent situations. They feel that by merely being warned of such perils their ‘freedoms and rights’ are compromised.
In life there are no victims, only volunteers. You as an individual are solely responsible for your safety and self preservation. Relying on the ‘safe’ reputation of a popular tourist town or the police to protect you despite your irresponsible actions is a position of weakness not strength.
Even though I’m a 6’3” male of over 100kgs with a fair deal of experience in, let’s just say reality, I nevertheless pride myself on making responsible decisions to ensure my safety and continued existence and should I find myself walking my dogs in the evening I always assume the reality of the country I live in whilst making sure I’m armed, equipped and prepared to deal with any threat to my person or partner in my company.
Regardless of whether or not the rain offends you, if you walk outside you are still going to get wet.

TERENCE MITCHELL
Ballito