There are so many factors that shape who I am. And who I am constantly becoming. Life, my family, relationships, circumstances, choices, my faith, my personality, decisions, events. Today marks the anniversary of a pivotal event in my life.
November 12 fell on a Friday in 1999. It was a normal working day in Cape Town for me. I was the PR manager for an NGO that trained unemployed people to start their own small businesses. My work took me all over the Peninsula to visit training centres and fledgling enterprises. Trainees learnt business skills to run spaza shops (small retail businesses from their homes), or skills such as sewing, leatherwork, knitting or butchery, to run a business from home. It was rewarding work, and I loved my job.
On this Friday, I had an appointment to go and meet up with a new entrepreneur in his home in Guguletu, to hear about his new business. I had been given directions to get there, although road names didn’t feature too strongly: “Turn left at the other school and go down and when you get to that station turn right.” I had a good idea where I needed to go, as I was familiar with the area, and I double-checked with the new entrepreneur’s trainer where I needed to go, and off I went.
I took the main route off the highway, Duinefontein Road, that heads through Manenburg and on towards Guguletu. Manenburg is notorious in the Western Cape for gang activity, and I always drove through the area with due vigilance and caution. As I headed towards Guguletu I couldn’t find any of the landmarks, and it was no longer clear to me where I needed to go. After going backwards and forwards a few times, and nearly running out of road, I chose not to venture into the unknown. I decided to go back to the office to get better directions and reschedule my meeting.
I drove back along Duinefontein Road. Cape Town had recently been hit by a freak tornado, Manenburg being the area most acutely affected by its brief appearance. Many houses had been destroyed, three people had been killed and a number had been left homeless. There were a few makeshift, tented camps where people lived until their homes were rebuilt. One such camp was on the grounds of a school that I drove past.
I looked at the brown tents and felt sad that people had lost their homes. I was also aware that there were hundreds of school children pouring out of the school and across the road. I wondered why they were finishing so early (it was mid-morning), I was concerned that many were crossing the road without checking what traffic was coming and going. It was in the middle of those thoughts that I heard a gunshot. And then a sound I can’t describe – perhaps a thwang – as a bullet hit my windscreen and I was showered with shavings of glass.
The bullet ricocheted off my windscreen without penetrating it. The trademark spiderweb left by the bullet on my windscreen was in line with my head. I thought, “I’ve been shot at. And God’s protected me. Perhaps I should go to the police station.”
I didn’t look to see where the shot had come from, I didn’t stop or slow down or speed up, I just carried on driving and thinking logically what I needed to do next. I knew the police station was just down the road and to the right. As I approached the intersection, I felt it would be unsafe to turn down that road. So I continued on to Guguletu to go to the police station there.
All the while, I felt calm and just kept thinking, “God’s protected me. And I need to report this.”
I turned down the road to go to Guguletu police station, and when I was about to park my car, it suddenly hit me, “I’VE BEEN SHOT AT AND I’M TERRIFIED AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO OR WHO TO SPEAK TO. AND I’M SO SCARED.” I began to shake and sob and my face and cheeks wobbled beyond control.
I turned my car around, and decided to drive back to my office. By now, my legs were shaking too and I don’t know how I managed to drive, or see through the tears.
I still felt the need to report this to the police, so I went to Mowbray police station, near my office. I cried all over the front desk, I could hardly get the words out, and the kind and patient officer took my statement and gave me a case number. I asked her if she wanted to see my car, and she said no. I felt sad for the state of Cape Town, and that more attention would have been paid to this in a more peaceful world.
I drove quietly back to my office, my colleagues and friends were astounded and open-mouthed and didn’t really know what to say. Then hugs and words of comfort abounded.
As an amusing aside, one of my colleagues told me to drink sugar water. “It’s good for the shock. My mother’s sister-in-law’s aunty’s nephew took sugar water after a cupboard fell on him, and he’s never had nightmares.”
I was able to chuckle at that, as I called my husband to tell him what had happened. I had stopped crying, but started again when I spoke to him. He came to me right away. And then I went and fetched my boys and went home. My boys were so shocked, but were just glad I was fine. Thank the Lord children don’t agonise over what if – I was there and I was fine. And that’s all that mattered.
It was a strange and scary and surreal experience telling people about what had happened, dealing with my own reaction but wanting to protect everyone else from feeling sad. Or anxious.
My husband, as a trained trauma counsellor, insisted on debriefing me that evening. We sat, cross-legged and facing each other on our bed, as he talked me through what had happened and asked me strategic questions about how I’d felt and what I’d thought. I know, without doubt, that that session was just exactly right. I’ve never had flashbacks, or nightmares, and I honestly haven’t relived that moment with anything but gratitude. My body had its own reaction six months later, when I experienced a series of panic attacks, but they were short-lived and I guess my body needed to vent.
Oh, and I didn’t ever do that interview. I just couldn’t.
In the weekend papers the next day, we read of an off-duty policewoman who was shot at – and injured – in her car in the vicinity of my event. It was attributed to a gang initiation ritual. Perhaps that was the purpose of the bullet that hit my car. I don’t know where it came from, I don’t know if I was caught in cross-fire or if the bullet was meant for me. All I do know, and am forever grateful for, is that the bullet didn’t have my name on it.
Sunshine signing off, with gratitude for today.
Sunshine in London 
Thank you for sharing such a traumatic experience. I literally got chills chasing over my body, just imagining what it must have been like for you.
Hearing about things like this makes me ever grateful that I don’t live in a city where crime rates are higher.
Thank you so much. I got chills recounting the incident, actually. Yes, there are costs of living in a big city, hey?
Thanks for the comment, and for coming by!
That must have been a very scary! It’s great that you are able to look back on that day, and recognize the seriousness of the situation, without letting it continue to haunt you. Or change who you are.
Thank you. I think it was a combination of God’s grace and a big rush of adrenaline. xx
Oh, Sunshine…I’m so happy you’re still with us! What an incredibly scary experience!
Hugs,
Wendy
Yip, it wasn’t a fun thing, I must say! I’m grateful to be here too! Thank you, Wendy xx
We are all one small step away from what happened to you. And I am so grateful that you have gotten past the initial (and delayed) shock/fear/panic and are able to put the event into perspective. It helps all of us.
Very true, Renee. Thank you xx
That’s terrifying, Sunshine, and so stupid, that a) there are such things as gangs and b) they encourage new member to shoot at random cars. I’m glad you weren’t hurt.
Thanks, Todd. Yes, gang warfare is just awful, with absolutely nothing to redeem it.
I’m so sorry you had to go through such a terrifying ordeal. Glad you made it through safely and that you are able to look back on that day with a grateful heart. Hugs, Diane
Thank you, Diane. Me too. xx
Where would I be without the Sunshine of my life…?
I feel the same way, Mr
SunshineChips xxOh, Sunshine. What a story. I’m so sorry this is part of your past, and amazed that you moved beyond it so gracefully. Thank goodness you have such solid survival instincts and strong faith. I’m thankful you’re fine, without residual ill effects.
Thank you, dear Maura. Funny but it sounds bigger than it felt for me, I guess that’s what grace is all about. xx
Mercy, Sunshine, mercy. Yes, grateful and thankful. God is good. But much in this world isn’t.
Thank you, sweet iz. You’re so right xx
wow–thank you for sharing…
God is good.
He has plans for your life!
just like Jeremiah 29:11 says.
blessings
jane
Thanks so much, jane. That verse has such significance in my life – wow, that you mentioned it! xx
Oh, that was a scary. But you were protected. God sent his angels to encamp around you.
I guess it served as a reminder, too, of how valuable life is and how we should make the most of our each and every day, huh?
We still do have a lot to be thankful for.
Blessings… SGM
Thanks so much, SGM. Yes, a big reminder, indeed. xx
Oh that is just horrifying, I know exactly how you felt. I had a similar incident about 7 years ago driving home to False Bay on the Strandfontein Road. Awful!
LOL @ suger water, I wonder if it’s a Saffrican thing?
Thanks, Cindy. I’m so sorry you had a similar experience … not anything anyone should have to go through, hey? But maybe we’re now soul sisters. 🙂
Sugar water is a funny thing – my mom always gave it to all of us for shock, and I did the same with my boys, and I know they will pass it on too! I’m sure it’s a Saffa thing, and it was just so funny in the context of the shooting! xx
And I have just come from my car, where I have heard the most dreadful news of a young British bride, here on her honeymoon; murdered in Guguletu …
The news must be causing waves in London, and must be extremely traumatic for you especially.
Big hugs across the miles.
I caught the end of something on the news last night, but didn’t hear where in SA it happened. I’ve just read about it on the Guardian and iol websites now – how absolutely awful. I feel so sad … so sad.
Thanks for the hugs xx
It’s a shocking and sad thing. But what I found is that when the possibilty of death or serious (if unknown) injury (and after the numbness, terror and anger) there is such a heightened sense of awe and gratitude for Being alive. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you – and I agree. Thanks for the visit, Mr Tangerine Lizard!
I agree with planejaner! Would it be okay to add you to my blogroll?
Thank you. And yes, of course – please add me to your blogroll. I’ll add you to mine too.
This truly gives new meaning to the word “Grace”.
Well written.
True. Thank you so much.
Whew, I remember you telling me this story years ago and now that I know you so much better it made my heart almost stop to think of what might have been. Thank GOODNESS you were being protected! Ev xxxxxxx
Thank you so much, Ev. I felt quite emotional writing it, I must say xx
!!!!!! You have a very blessed and amazing life! I however, need sugar water so I don’t have nightmares.
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Thank you, dear Edmonton Tourist. Sorry you need sugar water … but it does work! 🙂
Hugs from London xx
What an amazing story. God was surely looking out for you that day. Thank you for pointing me in this direction. It’s important to dwell on the what didn’t happen sometimes. God bless you x
Thanks, Tilly. It is an amazing story of God’s protection, but also of sadness that these kind of things happen so often in SA. Thanks for reading, God bless you too! xx
I’m sad to say that things are still very much the same, if not worse, in those areas all these years down the line. It must be so, so difficult for people trying to to raise families and live good lives there.