Comments on: Rest in peace, Sheldon, and let us rage

By: Scott Rotter

Scott Rotter — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:33:01 +0000

I forgot to leave my email address.. Scott Rotter… rdj900@aol.com

By: Scott Rotter

Scott Rotter — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:34:53 +0000

I was sent this and other articles by a friend of mine who lives or lived in Gauteng. She was picking up her boys in this same parking lot as Sheldon was being murdered. Three months later she was a victim of a violent home invasion which took place April 19th. She was supposed to immigrate here to the United States in late August early September of 2008 and contact me to inform me she and her children were safe. I’ve never heard from her and haven’t been able to contact her as all her South African contact numbers were disconnected and her homes were sold. I fear the worst but hope for the best with prayer each day. The woman’s name is Lisa Kaplan and any help would be greatfully appreciated. I just want to know she’s alive and okay. Sincerely, Scott Rotter

By: Pierre Kleinhans

Pierre Kleinhans — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:46:10 +0000

Just found Sheldon’s business card. I met him once on a flight to London. We talked hours about our .com adventures. He was really a special guy. Googled to see where he was at. Then read the shocking news. It was enough that I met him once. My heart aches for his loved ones. My you be secure in the eternal love of God.

By: Jenny Ebersohn

Jenny Ebersohn — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:45:07 +0000

My heart aches to hear of the sadness and waste of life of one of Sheldon Cohen. I remember Sheldon from High School and the memories of life in those days was so intense yet so real. We all had such high hopes for life… we thought when the revolution had come & gone we would have a blissful country where we could live in peace and freedom.

Linked with this idea, are also memories of Lucky Dube, who I knew in the 80s, as he played bass with my musician boyfriend, Gary (who took his own life). So much creativity, so much sadness. I remember sitting on Yeoville ridge with Lucky and Gary looking down over Ponte, Joubert Park, Hillbrow… eating toasted chicken sandwiches at 3am at the Dolls House in Louis Botha Avenue on the way to the next party. Yes, what stories there were to tell and what “jols” in Rocky Street, Rumours, Talking Heads, the Market Theatre, the Roxy and Jamisons, where the white/black line was crossed. So many memories!

I immigrated to Canada in 1994, but was so unhappy that in 2003 I forced my husband to sell his successful business and moved back to Cape Town with my kids. I could not shake that magical feling of Africa, where the dusty orange sunset made me feel alive, bursting out of my body. ALas, after 4 years of realising I was living in a dream we cashed in every last cent I owned and returned to Vancouver, where I have finally made my peace.
We returned to SA with the best of intentions – Leon was planning to open a training school for metalworkers, I was intending to work within the HIV community as a counsellor or para-legal advisor. Unfortuntely, we didn’t fit the affirmative action agenda – the people we met felt we had nothing to impart, either through pride or ignorance. I became tired of feeling guilty for being white. Eventually, I saw no future for my kids, for even if they completed High School, where would they study?
Yes, much of the blame does line with the politicians. I have first hand knowledge of how they spend their day. Eating turkey dinners, entertaining Bafana Bafana, hostings mini-trade shows with Zim and Zambia. The offices are empty with a couple of secretaries typing. I even saw a minister urinating in the courtyard, while entertaining his relations on a parlimentary tour.
Instead of closing the borders to every ex-mercenary and genocidal maniac and other poor refugees who are desperate for food and shelter… these politicians point fingers at white people to take the blame.
You know, I so feel for all the good, kind and open-minded spirited citizens of that beautiful tragic land – I came back and paid my dues and in my heart will always suffer pangs of homesick sadness, but my practical mind has convinced me that, even if only for the future of my children, I have made the right decision to leave.
G-d Bless Afrika – Mother Continent of Us All – so kind; so cruel.
Johnny Clegg said it all: “We ARE the scatterlings of Africa”.

By: Brett Yudelman

Brett Yudelman — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:12:45 +0000

Arthur
Another sad day for all, even living thousands of Kilometers away in Sydney we feel the pain and suffering of our beloved country and people.Back in 1993 prior to 1994 elections I was living overseas but decided to return to SA and try and build our new counrty ,after building a succesful bussiness I decided I could not live the way I was living ,on alert 24 hours day watching and waiting for an attack, I lost many friends and have had my own family attacked in my parents home in Johnannesburg wilst on holiday a few years ago.
My thoughts to all those people who are thinking of leaving becuase they are GATFULL of all the corruption,crime.Stop thinking about it and do it, get out now .The grass is greener on the other side.I did my national service for 2 year back in the eighties , built a bussiness employed and educated people and gave it all up .People think of us as traiters and cowards for leaving , but think again for your life and for G-D sake your kids.As I type this letter to you I glance at a picture on my wall of my dear friend Gerald Fox and know I did the correct thing by leaving .
G-D Bless

Brett Yudelman

By: Natalie Rosengarten

Natalie Rosengarten — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:32:44 +0000

Arthur has written this piece beautifully. It describes the life of three men that I personally did not meet.Mike Rosenthal,however,was shot in front of my beloved sister Heide. She had found true love in Mike, “The Gentle Giant” and she too has had her life altered forever. I have been truly haunted,by the senseless murder of Mike 7 months ago.I thank Arthur for documenting the lives of all three of these special men. I feel that each senseless death should be brought to public attention, regardless of who the individual is.This is an atrocity to all of those who mourn the loss of these incredible men. It is also a deep sadness for all of us who want to love and see South Africa thrive, even from abroad… Natalie, Vancouver Canada

By: Adele P.

Adele P. — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 05:14:11 +0000

After our last trip back to SA, just a few weeks ago, we returned to the USA reluctantly, the place of our self-imposed exile for the past 25yrs, the birth place of our children, but still, always like strangers in a strange land. Then we heard of Sheldon’s murder, and remembered, sadly, why we’re here and not there. Indeed, Cry, the beloved country. Where will this all end? Be safe Arthur…

By: Cries from my beloved country « Forecast Highs

Cries from my beloved country « Forecast Highs — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:05:41 +0000

[...] You can really feel the rage in this piece. [...]

By: Icarus

Icarus — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 10:24:45 +0000

Apparently, our rage is impotent

By: gary meyers

gary meyers — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 05:25:55 +0000

I was at school with Sheldon , I live in Sydney since 85 and have always yearned for SA as Africa is part of me and I am part of it – No more , I turn away in disgust and openly say to my friends and family – that was the last straw- time to go

Gary Meyers
Fairways primary , Highlands North and King David High
RIP Sheldon – S Africa didnt deserve you.