Take responsibility for your actions: iLIVE

I had to do a double take on that headline because it looked like something that belonged in the Daily Sun. It was only after closer inspection that I realised this was indeed the Sunday Times, and even more shocking, this was actually 'an option' available to somebody.

No doubt, this is an unspeakable tragedy (unemployed, HIV+, four children) unfolding before our eyes and I wonder how many times do we, as humans, have to get to this stage before we learn the lessons that seem to doom us into repeating these disastrous life patterns?

At which point did life prompt this woman (earning R50 a day as a domestic) to start selfishly having children? The planet is reeling with 7 billion people already, 1 billion cannot feed themselves, and sadly for them, this community can count themselves amongst that 1 billion unless they start doing things for themselves.

I am sure that this particular article has prompted wide reaction from your readers, most of them, I am sure, out of guilt. For those who choose to look beyond this guilt, this picture is a stark reminder of the fact that human choices have consequences. And sometimes those consequences are far beyond what any of us can imagine.

Here’s another (simple) suggestion from a reader who has chosen to look beyond the guilt of witnessing other humans living undignified lives, largely as a result of their own ill informed choices:

1.    Instead of wading through the rubbish for food, how about picking it up and taking it to be recycled;

2.    Earn some money from recycling company;

3.    Buy some seeds and seedlings;

4.    Place those in the ground;

5.    Rainfall (free and not dependant on any government handout);

6.    Food grows out of the acres of land they are currently scavenging on.

7.    Problem solved!

South Africans, in general, need to wake up from their deep slumber. No government is going to provide for us, and life is hard, even for those with means. It’s up to every human to recognise that and start making better choices for their lives, and the lives of those they choose to bring into this world.