We Shall Overcome
- an article

It was Christmas and we'd tired of our usual consumer jaunts.

I suggested to my partner, Rose, that we try the mall in Bedfordview, thinking it would be a good spot for some shopping after it was recently refurbished.
She agreed, but wasn't really looking forward to the outing and instructed me to pack Rachel, our 24-month-old baby's nappy bag while she got Rachel ready.
We didn't plan to be out long as my brother was coming over for a braai later in the afternoon. Rachel loves the malls, the decorations, the people, and the action. From her stroller, she waves at passers-by like she's the Queen Mother.

The centre was not busy, probably because the renovations were still incomplete. On the floor below workmen on scaffolding added finishing touches 'twixt frustrated storekeepers. Flashing billboards enticed patrons to sumptuous cinemas above. We inspected the new modern décor of marble, glass, chrome and subtle lighting and the frustration of negotiating the building site of a car park soon faded. We passed an opulent jewellery boutique as we entered, then spotted the new Exclusive Books a little further on and popped in for a quick look around.

A crash outside the book store startled us. But at first we didn't know what was going on. I initially thought it was a sign falling off a wall or a shop window falling out. Then another enormous crash followed. I turned to the entrance of the store, and people were running past. Some ducked into the shop and clearly looked shocked. I pulled Rachel out of her stroller and took Rose by the arm and we headed for the back of the store. The two of them sat down in an enclave before I went back out to see what was happening. A young Asian girl, terrified, was crying a few feet away and Rose told me to bring her into the enclave.

I went to a nearby coffee shop where people were standing to ask what was going on. One of the waiters said ''a madman was running around shooting''.
My heart leapt into my throat. Another deafening noise resounded and I ducked involuntarily. I couldn't think straight, I had to protect my family.

Then I saw him. Just outside the entrance of the jewellery store was a man cradling an AK-47 gun. I turned to run back to my family when gunshots went off followed by shattering glass.

I resisted the urge to lay them on the floor and cover them with my body.
Rose, who was embracing Rachel and the Asian woman, wanted to know what was going on. I tried to sound calm as I explained gunmen were robbing the jewellery store. She suggested alternative places of refuge or the possibility of a different exit. An infinitesimal quiver in her voice belied her plucky exterior; her only concern was to get our baby to safety.

Incredulously Rachel sat stock still without as much as a whisper, somehow sensing the seriousness of the situation. Everyone in the book store crouched behind the shelves and someone shouted for the doors to be shut.

The commotion outside lasted two to three minutes but it felt like hours. We heard shouting, then saw a few men chasing the gunmen. Soon we heard shouts that it was clear to come out. The Asian woman told us she was a tourist who had arrived in the country a few days before. She was frightened and said she'd heard about the crime in South Africa but didn't realise it was that bad. Rose reassured her that we'd lived here all our lives and had never been through something like that before. I offered the ladies a cup of strong coffee at the adjoining espresso bar to help calm the nerves and to ensure any danger had dissipated before we attempted to make our way home.
The trembling hands of the waitress were the only indication something had taken place. Rose held her hands and asked if she would like to join us; she declined with half a smile and a tear.

Our tourist lady asked the waitress if she saw what had happened but the sound of sirens and screeching tyres interrupted. Police poured into the very same entrance we had used ten minutes earlier. They sealed the area off with crime scene tape and posted uniformed officers around the jewellers.
In silence we sipped our drinks and watched plain clothes detectives going about their duties.

An elderly man comforted his distraught wife to the table next to ours. He looked at us with a wry grin and shrugged his shoulders. He proceeded to tell us how they were knocked aside by fleeing gunmen in the car park.  How four men armed with automatic rifles tried to smash the safety glass of the jewellery store without success. They lost their nerve and fled to a nearby taxi, firing into the air. A passing patrol car immediately gave chase.

I ordered another round of coffee for us all, as each recounted the events. Somehow it helped, especially since there were no casualties, apart from the shaken staff from the boutique. We said our goodbyes ensuring our tourist was okay. She in turn took a photo of Rachel and Rose on her cellular phone and promised to keep it always.

At the braai that evening we relayed our saga to the family who shook their heads in dismay before they moved on to other subjects. They digested the ordeal better than the steaks on the fire. Rose and Rachel have never returned to the mall although I have popped in and each time the events of that day flood back.

Every time we plan a trip to a shopping centre we are mindful of our surroundings and the possibility that it could occur again. But we have our lives to live in this wonderful country where thugs will not affect the way we behave or think.

Normality returns far too quickly. It is an indictment of our history and transformation, when violence no longer shocks and barely disrupts our Christmas. A reality, which threatens all, unless we condemn it, without reserve or condition?

James Tobias

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Name	Comment	Date
Erna	An all-too-familiar (for South Africans) story. “Normality returns far too quickly. It is an indictment of our history and transformation, when violence no longer shocks and barely disrupts our Christmas.” … or of the faith, courage or foolhardy determination of those of us who “stick it out” and are not living in NZ, Oz, the UK or Canada. I’d add in some crime statistics and interviews (à la Reader’s Digest) to make it an article Points 3 – Very promising	2008-01-08
Mandy	A well-written account of your dreadful experience. I assume it was real. You held my attention. One comment - when relating something that happened for real it is very easy to systematically list the events / facts. What makes it more real for the reader is if you relate some of the feelings and emotions. Always try to appeal to all the senses - what did you feel? What did you hear? What did you smell? If this was a true story I hope you have recovered. I am sure writing about it has helped. Points 3 - Very promising piece of writing	2008-01-26
James	Appreciate the umpu and crits Mandy/Erna. I was actually sitting at the table next to the one where this conversation took place. I filled in the rest. Is that eavesdropping?	2008-01-28
Erna	Nope – that’s writing!	2008-01-28
Louis	My brother and two friends are in South Africa at the moment.  His two friends are from Montreal in Canada and they too have heard of the crime in this country. Apparently South African crime is reported extensively in Canada.  The friends love South Africa, the very reason they have come to visit.  I sincerely hope they have no trouble in our country.  I hear a whisper, this Mall crime stuff seldom occurs.  My answer is - Sure, but when it does happen, people are hurt and traumatized by perverts who have nothing else to do but damage and hurt the infrastructure of our economy.  It's bad enough that many members of our government are corrupt, adding to the woe's of our economy.  I warned them about the seriousness of the situation. James, thanks for this piece.  It wakes us up to the fact that South Africa is a country like any other, and just because we are called the RAINBOW Nation, does not mean we are the safest nation. "But we have our lives to live in this wonderful country where thugs will not affect the way we behave or think." Sorry, James, I don't agree with the above statement. Crime IS affecting us. Security guards all over the place.  People don't walk their dogs any more.  Parks are filthy and are not used any longer. Beach fronts at night are deserted.  Homes are prisons behind burglar bars and electric gates. Driveways have become the new crime scenes now.  Drugs sold at school, corruption in government, murder at school parties, murder at malls. It's mindblowing how we've become the wild west. Thanks for this conversation piece. Points 3 - Very promising piece of writing	2008-01-29
James	A licence to be nosy, dreamy and unsociable. lol	2008-01-31
James	Thanks Louis The phrase "But we have our lives to live in this wonderful country where thugs will not affect the way we behave or think "isn’t saying it doesn’t affect us, it is meant to say we cannot and hence will not allow these people to overcome us. (Hence the title) You must excuse my limitations of getting my point across. lol Appreciate your input	2008-02-02
Ron	I start with, well done. This story like others you have submitted gets my attention. I read it and think. "Oh god, not again." I too have been directly and indirectly affected by crime. Break-ins, car thefts, muggings and unfortunately murder too have affected my near family. I write now as Ron, not Sir Cess. I'd love to natter to you and chat about writing. Sorry to use this a ”personal chat-room" but if you want you can get my e-mail from Mandy or Erna. Yes! We shall overcome! A graphic picture painted. Points 3 - Very promising piece of writing	2008-02-05