South Africa : Suffering from cumulative trauma…an interesting concept?

Visitors from around the world have started to converge on the most southern tip of Africa.The land of rugby, braaivleis and boerewors,( please excuse my cliché's) the Springbok,the Protea and Bafana Bafana…the Boys!

In the time period leading up to the FIFA Soccer World Cup, much has been said, debated and discussed about our high levels of crime. Government departments would defend our capability to manage crime, and so they should, yet some citizens would cry out that all is not well in the rainbow nation, that “crime does exist in South Africa, that the levels of crime are high and the intensity of violence real.”The visitors that are setting foot on our land have not been exposed to such a violence. Will they be the catalyst that allows us to see through their eyes, what truly is taking place?

The response of those in power is to acknowledge that crime is taking place but that the incidents of crime are becoming more manageable. However, we seem to be missing the point; is it not possible, that South Africans have reached their “allopathic load” in terms of exposure to trauma as a nation?

Allopathic load,  is defined as the disturbance between load and physical capacity as affected by cumulative trauma. In other words, continuous and cumulative exposure to trauma over time within our communities and society, is pushing the capacity for self management of “societal traumatic stress” to its breaking point.

In other words, have we not just had enough? and that the signs ( or cracks) that are showing in our rainbow nation indicative of the stress we as a nation are under, are due to our exposure to violence and crime in our media and communities?

It is time that our leaders sit up and take note!

If we as a nation do not undergo therapy, reconciliation and healing, we may implode. Perhaps an over exaggeration,but our levels of domestic violence are increasing, road rage is the norm, our politicians do not find assertive methods of managing conflict and instead turn to violent rhetoric and threats of violence.

Fortunately, the load has been offset by the good willed Madiba Magic permeating levels of society. but is this enough to truly enable a nation to heal itself from a serious case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

It is time that we think about a solution to our violent society, before its too late.

Perhaps you would Change A Life and help find that solution?

Philip Stoneman

Community awareness with Mama Rose

A very important part of the “Life Changing” work we do at iThemba is regular awareness campaigns and educational talks at schools on the east rand. A challenging job, but one that Rosina Maja (also known as Mama Rose) takes in her stride. Here are a few photo’s of Mama Rose in action….

under her spell…. a recent anti rape meeting…

All women love to be pampered…

All the little children….

and finally, important partners in the fight against crime:our police.

Capacity building in Phokeng

Rustenburg / Phokeng : Host city for Soccer World CupFootball frenzy…or should I say “Soccer World Cup” frenzy has taken hold of Rustenburg and Phokeng. Flags are up all over the place, the malls,side streets,cars, taxi ranks and even the local workforce got into the spirit!

However the real reason for being in Phokeng, was not to partake in the “soccer frivolities” but to partner with the South African Institute of Traumatic Stress to provide training to victim empowerment facilitators in the Phokeng region. Such capacity development and training in areas such as these are vital not only for the recipient organization, but also for the facilitators who leave refreshed and encouraged by the passion and commitment of people within their communities to make a difference, or as we @ iThemba like to put it…to “Change a Life”

 

In the next few blogs I will be sharing some of those lessons I learnt with my readers….regards, Phil.