We are not sure how many there were in total - probably about four or five. It was an exceptionally long hour, and the thoughts running through a person's mind are terrifying. I do not have to explain these thoughts to many South Africans - every second person knows them too well. We were nothing special that evening - just another statistic - just another robbery. What made this experience so incredibly torturous was having three young children directly involved. We escaped through the bathroom window, where they had locked us once they had finished. I do not believe that it was their intention to hurt us, however the occasional cocking of their guns left us in no doubt that they would take the necessary steps to ensure that we co-operated.

Having said that, it is no good to keep saying - well thank God we are ok, that's the main thing. Of course that is the main thing, but in the greater context, becoming blasé will eventually destroy our norms and values. It's like the frog who is popped into boiling water. The frog dies immediately. If, however, the frog is placed into lukewarm water which heats up after a long period of time, it can withstand the temperature at boiling point because it has become used to it. We shall not be placed in a position where we become used to this. Not now......not ever.

A friend of mine asked me a few days after the incident whether I would now consider leaving the country. My rather rude response was...are you mad? I'm not going anywhere. This is my home, and my beautiful country. The perpetrators of crime must leave. My attitude is that we must all triple our efforts, and escalate the issue of crime in our suburb in a united, forceful manner. I've learned from this nightmarish experience that it is not enough to say that Bedfordview is actually safe compared to other precincts of the same size. One home invasion is too many.
 

This incident has concretised my view that we all have no choice but to become community oriented and united. The white population in our area is decidedly apathetic. I can confidently say this having worked for the community in a hands on capacity for the last seven years. The only time we are occasionally outraged is when incidents have a direct bearing on us. I include myself. Instead of seeking support from each other to eradicate problems, we complain and whine, and when things improve, we forget...until the next time.  Look at what we achieved during the world cup - there is no excuse. We can work together.

At the Police forum just last week we hired a professional fundraiser to start strengthening the following three projects: Firstly protecting the children of Bedfordview by raising awareness and by implementing anti crime initiatives in the schools, secondly by harnessing the power of our staff in quadrupling the numbers at our Domestic Worker's Forum, and thirdly by taking our professional marketing and communication skills to a different level. Apart from joining hands to reduce crime, we shall also become a proactive, strong community. Think about it.
 
Now I shall provide you and your family with a great opportunity to do something immediate. Get committed by dressing up warmly and coming with all your friends and family to the Virgin Active lower field this coming Sunday at 7am.  We are walking five, or if you would prefer ten kms through Bedfordview. The event is sponsored by CIB and ABI, and a huge amount of effort has gone into the organisation.  Many of you may not know, but Elandsfontein forms part of the Bedfordview precinct.  The Transnet School of Excellence which is an extremely poor school in the heart of Elandsfontein have purchased one hundred and seventeen T-shirts for their learners to participate in the walk.  That is what community spirit is all about – we have a lot to learn.