Questions of Violence in South Africa
For any of you who have read this or related articles like it, I just want to assure you that I'm not in an area where this may or may not be occurring. Townships and squatter camps are mostly located outside of towns and major cities, and though I am close to Pretoria I am still in a rural village where everybody knows me, who I am and what I'm doing here. Not that it makes it any better, but the violence is aimed at Zimbabweans, Mozambicans,and other African immigrants, so it is doubtful I or any other PCVs will be targeted.
Many people think that the international media is hyping the situation up, just waiting for South Africa to fail after performing so well as host to the World Cup. I for one am skeptical, these xenophobic attacks happened in 2008, and when people are as impoverished and desperate as they are here, there is honestly no telling what they can or will do.
But we have a very competent safety and security branch of Peace Corps South Africa who keeps us informed and has plans to ensure our safety as volunteers. So if you were worried, don't be, and if you weren't, please disregard this post.
Love to you my friends
I think it's a bit hyped, but I don't know. I would hope that people realize that these people aren't taking any jobs from South Africans, rather they are struggling to find work like everyone else. I don't want to see this country dissolve into violence again.
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