That would be nice.

And no – haven’t nominated you. Will read some more first.

(By the way – the family I have in Joburg really have all been directly touched by crime. Some more than once. And although I have few friends still in SA, those who live/d in Joburg have also personally experienced a hijacking/burglary/smash-and-grab/house-ransacking-whilst-tied-up.)

Knowing their fear and trauma/shock is why it’s hard for me to see the humour in Mr Clarkson’s little article. But I’ll read it again with an open mind. I suppose with JC one has to raise an eyebrow and grin.

Although it is optomistic to say you’ll have a good time in JHB.

Goblin´s last blog post was: I’m getting to old for this nonsense (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

Wendy > Since you’re not a regular here, you won’t perhaps realise that quite a lot of what is written here is done with a little bit of tongue in cheek. Not a lot of tongue: that would be rude. So just a little.
You will also be possibly unaware that one of my bugbears, my little annoyances, my pet hates, as it were is moaning expats. Any moaning expat, it doesn’t have to be a South African one. Although you gys are so especially good at it. Like rugby. And cricket. OK – perhaps no so much cricket, but… grr.. anyway…

Yes, JC’s piece was unashamedly biased. I love it for that. But do you not see any element of humour in there? This isn’t some UN report on Jozi. It’s a newspaper column from a bloke who writes funny stuff.

But what a change from the normal doom and gloom that is constantly forced down our throats. And the constant hysterical generalisations and “poor me” syndrome. ALL of your friends and fmily DIRECTLY affected by crime? Really? ALL? DIRECTLY? If that is the case – give up the Lotto right now – you are the unluckiest person on the entire planet. Or you have very few friends and family.

No-one is saying that crime isn’t a problem in Jhb or SA (well, OK, Clarkson is, but that was a funny column – see above). Just that we need to find a little perspective. And understand that the perception of crime is 1000 times worse than the actual incidence. I’ve said this a million times or more.

And all of those expats who rely on iol and news24? Well – those sites don’t write about Jenny vd Merwe having a completely ordinary, uneventful, uncrime related day. So of course the viewpoint is skewed.

We’re not all going to be killed in Jhb. Or Cape Town – or anywhere else.
Crime happens – yes, in Cape Town too – but you seem to think it should rule our lives. I happen to disagree.

Anyway. Yeah. Finally a link to fun dumb comments on this article that I thoroughly enjoyed! Is the greater lesson that we all need just a bit more perspectives in our lives?!

Champagne Heathen´s last blog post was: An Ode to One’s New Home (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

And then this morning I found your blog because Po recommended that readers vote for you in the blog awards. So I came to see what you have to say.

And what you have to say about Johannesburg and crime is a bit silly. Far too broad, sweeping and generalised.

Yes, Jeremy Clarkson said what he saw and experienced. And yes the crime isn’t in your face every minute of the day. It isn’t highly visible.

But, it IS there.

I live in the UK at the moment – I am a nomad so don’t stay anywhere for a long time. Hence, have not been back to Johannesburg for about 3 years.

But my family live there.

My family who have been repeatedly hijacked at gun point and knife point. My family who have had their houses burgled. Their cars stolen. Sometimes sneakily, in the night, sometimes by violent force.

My family who have been hurt and traumatised and hospitalised because of criminals who have attacked them.

And then there are my friends. And their friends. All of them, each and every one of them, have been touched, directly, by violence and crime. Shot at and stabbed and hit and tied up and scared witless.

You see, just spending a bit of time in Johannesburg, having a laugh and a good time, and not living the reality day by day, does not give anyone the ability to make a sound judgement on what life is like a place.

Jermey Ckarkson is an entertainer who lives a sheltered life in England. He also has a very big mouth, a loose tongue and blows a lot of hot air.

Nice enough man. Good at his job.

But can he accurately state that the crime in Johannesburg is exaggerated?

No.

And if you live in Cape Town, then neither can you. because your reality is different to someone who lives in Joburg.

Scott Morgan Lewis´s last blog post was: Drug-Sniffing Dog Becomes Latest Victim of War on Civil Liberties (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)