Neighbourliness in adversity
During an extensive trip to New Zealand, Australia and UK last year, we got used to answering the inevitable “Why do you live in South Africa, when there is so much crime?” Some of the common theories are that it is for the weather or because you can have a bigger house. But for me one of the strange attractions of living here is that you are drawn together in a kind of siege mentality.
Security issues don’t so much separate the Haves from the Have Nots, but rather the Doers from the Do Nots. Living in London for 37 years, I never felt compelled to be an active resident in any context. The local council did almost everything, and if they didn’t, you would sit at home and do what Poms do best – whinge about it. When Health, Education and Security services are effective and free at source, why would you get involved?
Since leaving the Nanny state, I have had to get off my couch to join Vitality, attend PTA meetings and become an active member of RAG, because it won’t happen by itself. And that can be a good thing.
Last week most of the people in our small cul de sac met to celebrate a neighbour’s 96th birthday.
Some of us had never even greeted each other before, now we were sipping champagne and finding common ground. It turns out that four out of six households in our Close have teenage boys of the same age. We found it hilarious that they had never socialised together – all sit on their individual iPods and FaceBook in their separate cocoons.
What had brought the adults together wasn’t only the birthday party; it was also our united response to an ugly burglary where three dogs were poisoned. We overlooked past irritations with dustbins and petty parking disputes in order to cooperate in a serious endeavour to keep the crooks out. As one of the wittier neighbours quipped, we will collaborate to go from Palesa Close to Palesa Closed. And if you are going to lock yourself in with your neighbours, then you better get to know them. And who knows where that will lead? Our sons might even actually meet outside their virtual world to play soccer together on the street!
Security issues don’t so much separate the Haves from the Have Nots, but rather the Doers from the Do Nots. Living in London for 37 years, I never felt compelled to be an active resident in any context. The local council did almost everything, and if they didn’t, you would sit at home and do what Poms do best – whinge about it. When Health, Education and Security services are effective and free at source, why would you get involved?
Since leaving the Nanny state, I have had to get off my couch to join Vitality, attend PTA meetings and become an active member of RAG, because it won’t happen by itself. And that can be a good thing.
Last week most of the people in our small cul de sac met to celebrate a neighbour’s 96th birthday.
Some of us had never even greeted each other before, now we were sipping champagne and finding common ground. It turns out that four out of six households in our Close have teenage boys of the same age. We found it hilarious that they had never socialised together – all sit on their individual iPods and FaceBook in their separate cocoons.
What had brought the adults together wasn’t only the birthday party; it was also our united response to an ugly burglary where three dogs were poisoned. We overlooked past irritations with dustbins and petty parking disputes in order to cooperate in a serious endeavour to keep the crooks out. As one of the wittier neighbours quipped, we will collaborate to go from Palesa Close to Palesa Closed. And if you are going to lock yourself in with your neighbours, then you better get to know them. And who knows where that will lead? Our sons might even actually meet outside their virtual world to play soccer together on the street!
09 September at 1800
10 September at 0630
10 September at 0900
11 September at 0930
