The trauma of losing their daughter Emily through crime drove the Williams family to uproot from South Africa.
Roger Williams and his family have settled into their new life in London following the murder of 12-year-old Emily earlier this year.
The family were unable to cope and deal with their loss while living in the same situation that led to the death of their daughter and sister.
This prompted Williams to start doing research on the Internet looking for a job abroad. He managed to land a job with BSG Resources in the UK as chief financial officer.
"It was easy for us to settle in London because we've got British passports," he said.
After Emily's death, her mother Toni and sister Sophie couldn't sleep at night.
Little Sophie was too scared and couldn't sleep in her room.
From the back seat of her mother's car, Sophie witnessed her sister being shot.
"Sophie just felt afraid, which she never was before. We always felt safe at home," Williams said.
His wife couldn't function properly either, and could manage to do only a little work.
"When you have a trauma like this, your energy levels just disappear. It's very hard to motivate yourself to do something. We are still quite upset. You never get over something like this," Williams said.
Starting a new life wasn't easy for Williams and his family, but he has no regrets. Toni and Sophie are now holding up well.
"I am very glad that we are here. We keep in touch with our friends in South Africa. A lot of them are going to come over as well, and that's quite nice."
Before he settled in the UK, Williams worked for AECI, a top chemical company, in Woodmead, Sandton, as executive director and chief financial officer.
Four suspects were arrested in connection with the killing.
During the trial in February, Williams will be in South Africa to attend a mining conference in Cape Town. "I want justice for Emily. I will attend the trial."
The bright, bubbly schoolgirl was shot dead by a stray bullet fired by robbers who were in the process of attacking the home of her family friend Alison Saunders.
Emily was seated in the back seat of her mom's BMW as they arrived at Alison's house to pick her up for the start of a normal school day at Trinity House.
Then they were caught up in a shootout between security guards and the robbers. Just minutes later, Emily was lying lifeless on the ground.
An Interview with The Trayvon Hoax Director Joel Gilbert
-
America got played by an epic race hoax that divided us for no reason.
18 hours ago
7 Opinion(s):
What can a person say, I have a daughter that age, I would go of my rocker if that has to happen to me !
Hell would not be a hidding place for them !!!
I will not live in fear of criminals in South Africa, they should fear me !!!
@ anon 11:28..
And yet, as a nation we don't get angry, we don't take to the streets, we don't do anything, we just accept it as a way of life in SA. Can you imagine the reaction in the UK or US or Spain (wherever) if 50 people were murdered every day, 150 raped and 35 attempted murders? There would be hell to pay, governments would collapse (see the recent Thai sit-ins at Bangkok airport) but us, nooo..we couldn't muster 5000 people during a recent anti-crime march. We really are pathetic.
at Anonymous 11:28
When that happens its too late...why do you have to wait until you have become a statistic to leave South Africa?
Unfortunately it has become not a matter of IF it happens but WHEN it happens...please do not tempt fate..rather pack-up and leave if you have young children...for their sake!
at Doberman...I agree we are pathetic as a nation but there comes a time in everone's life that you throw in the proverbial towel especially when a tragedy hits you...people walk around thinking it wont happen to them. Unfortunately there is no compassion for each other amongst us anymore.
Typical "elke man vir homself" attitude.
"And yet, as a nation we don't get angry,"
Two Reason:
1. everyone is trying soooo hard to fit into the idea of what we should be (according to the Jewish Hollywood films)
2. most enjoy having slaves, and therefore are happy to risk being shot, just so they can enjoy a glass of wine while a black woman baths their children
(who, in their right mind, would want anyone other than themselves bathing their children?)
I have a small daughter and it chokes me to read these stories. This was my primary motivation for leaving SA. Yes, life is different and perhaps tougher but I get great joy from watching my daughter play without fear. Make no mistake she is very well aware of what "baddies" are, and their colour. She witnessed me being attacked by a taxi driver with a knife. I ask her often if she is happy, and the answer is always an unconditional YES. She loves Halloween, Christmas, Easter .... just like any child, except now she gets to participate. I constantly mourn the loss of my country, and bemoan the differences I have to endure as well as the lost opportunities ... but what is the alternative? Being an emigrant is tough, and yet many of us find ourselves in it. It is not easy and it takes time but I am not prepared to return to "fight the good fight".
@ VI..
Spot on. I miss SA but I don't miss the uncertainty, the insecurity. Watching my kids play outside in Aus, cycling around the neighbourhood with their friends like I used to do is worth all the heartache I and my wife have had to endure. They are happy and that's gold to me.
When we lived in SA full-time, my oldest, then 8 years old, would tell me to lock the car doors "in case we get hijacked". I keep thinking about that comment. What an abhorrent thought for a child. To think he would have to face that for the rest of his life!
We left, not for ourselves but for our children. It is a long haul to leave, a heavy burden, very traumatic but worthwhile in the long run. We'd love to see SA recover but it will take a miracle at this time, it seems.
Post a Comment