Daily Lessons from Life 09 June 2010 - Armed gang rob World Cup journalists: police

"Armed gang rob World Cup journalists: police - Wed, Jun 09, 2010 AFP

JOHANNESBURG, S AFRICA - An armed gang stole electronic equipment from a team of World Cup journalists during a robbery at their lodge near Johannesburg on Wednesday, police and one of the victims said.

The gang broke into the lodge at Magaliesburg, northwest of Johannesburg, while three journalists covering the Portuguese team were sleeping overnight.

One of the journalists who woke during the raid told AFP that he was ordered to keep quiet at gunpoint."

One of the most watched sport event is going to unfold at the Rainbow Nation - South Africa in 2 days time. A nation full of hope after years of racial segregation and rules by minority. A coming out party of sort like the 2008 Olympic Game is to Beijing, PRC! The challenges are many more in South Africa than in Beijing, PRC, as the latter is on the economic ascend and growing more and more powerful and confident while the former is still finding its way!

Lessons for me are:

1. South Africa will be different. It has a history of violence and lack of laws and orders. It has a reputation for now as a not-very-safe country for ordinary tourists and even locals. This armed robbery of the press folks pressed home to the point - punt intended!;

2. will the people come out to support the event and make it a truly memorable World Cup that is supported by a new nation of football lovers and not lover of violence?;

3. may there NOT be any terrorists' activities at this World Cup as it would be a disaster for the world which is already suffering from new Euro crisis after barely emerging from the ruins of the sub-prime saga originated from the USA 2 years ago!

Peace to the world and order to the financial world!