Inside Report
This is probably the hardest piece I have ever had to write. I find myself struggling to find the right words. It’s like my head is just swimming and throat is closed with raw emotions. A little over two weeks ago a close friend of mine was gunned down at his house in front of …
This is probably the hardest piece I have ever had to write. I find myself struggling to find the right words. It’s like my head is just swimming and throat is closed with raw emotions.
A little over two weeks ago a close friend of mine was gunned down at his house in front of his family. Neo was an amazing young man, when I met him he had already authored a book on life in the township. His goal was to motivate township youth to see beyond their limitations and to grow beyond their past. He was always full of ideas and absolutely fearless in chasing his dreams. He was a good son, a great brother and friend.
Neo was a sweet, gentle man who sought to build the world around him, not to break it down. It was this loving nature that would be his undoing. He was courting a lady from Thokoza and it was her ex-husband who shot him in cold blood. He didn’t even say a word to him. Just walked into his yard and shot him, this after he had already killed another man over the same ex-wife. The worst part is that the gunman himself was a Hawks officer. A man charged with the very safety of his community, so carelessly and selfishly snuffed out such a bright light.
What has become of us? The question I asked myself as I held his crying mother in my arms. How do we live in a world where the solution to problems is found at the barrel of a gun? What is this seething anger that cannot be quelled? I see it in our youth, in our leaders, in our police, in our fathers and husbands and even lately even in our women. How far does this have to go before something is done? But, I have to ask, what can be done? All I know is that a bright young man, who showed me so much courage, so much drive and passion for life, is gone.
Neo you are a friend that I will miss more than most. You have shown me that it isn’t about where you are from, but rather where you going that matters. That no matter how successful I may become, to never forget where I am from and that family is the most important gift we have. To his family, my heart cries for your loss. There are no words that accurately describe the effect that Neo has had on this world. His passing is a great loss to this country. To the accused, your ex will move on, she will find another, of this I am sure. But the lives you have taken can never be replaced. Their families can never move on because they cannot just find another son or brother.
In conclusion, we give so much attention to physical health, wealth and status but so little to our mental and emotional well-being. It is with this, that I have decided to stand down as a councilor and focus my remaining days on teaching, guiding and helping people to overcome, empower and grow their emotional well-being. I dedicate this quest to Neo, for you showed me that dreams are but an action away.
