In July 1988, newspaper reporter Gordon Eddey, had a good part of his body blown away by a car bomb.
Gordon had been at a well attended rugby match between Transvaal and Free State at Ellis Park. Ten minutes after the final whistle he was one of the worst of dozens injured by the remotely detonated bomb. The explosion, which killed two people, was the fourth blast to rock SA in two days and the 27th of that year.
Gordon, a pal from my early days in newspapers, had a fun, happy-go-lucky demeanour and someone others instantly warmed towards. Sadly, I only saw him once since the attack. But often wonder what my badly maimed former colleague thinks of how things worked out in his homeland. Or what goes through his mind when he sees reports of things like the weekend’s terrorist attack in London.
In amongst the anger and frustration so evident in South Africa and the UK today, albeit for different reasons, it’s worth reflecting on how far the countries have come and the sacrifices of so many that got them there. A timely reminder of why democracies everywhere are worth fighting for.
Gordon Eddey, who still lives in South Africa, picked up on this note and responded to the question with:
I am pleased that every South African now has opportunities. I am sad that, apart from one small ray of something special in my 60 years, politicians and their ‘business gabbas’ continue to debase the very idea of humanity.
