Preparing a News Awareness Test for a group of Journalism students I decided that my new log should be about some of the headlines I read on news sites. These headlines say a lot about South Africa; a country with so much that is beautiful but that also has its sickening side. The latter unfortunately sticks in the minds of many and gives South Africa its image of a scary, backward country.

How is it possible to change this image if this is what really happens? I find ‘bad news’ within a minute (I even had difficulty choosing, there was so much of it) but ‘good news’ is hard to find and stretches over a longer period of time.

It is sad to feel as though I need to point out some of the disgusting news headlines of today and yesterday but it does show how hardcore South Africa still is. There are still so many things wrong here that I feel as though I would be lying if I only write about the nice stuff that happens around me.

Some examples of today’s and yesterday’s news:
1. Pupils and police in shootout -- 7 August 2007
Pupils have opened fire on police in a riot after one of their schoolmates was stabbed by a man at a school in KwaZulu Natal. Full Story...

2. Van der Vyver to hear his fate -- 7 August 2007
The Cape High Court is set to rule in the trial of Fred van der Vyver who is accused of bludgeoning his girlfriend to death with a hammer. Full Story...

3. Dog found eating body part -- 6 August 2007
Police found the body of a woman near Queenstown after local residents saw a human leg being eaten by a dog. Full Story...

4. Rapists not a threat to society, court hears -- 6 August 2007
A Fort Beaufort social worker says that five teens - three of them convicted rapists - are not a danger to society. Full Story...

5. Boy’s right hand cut off in attack -- 6 August 2007
A 13-year-old Mafikeng boy was recuperating in hospital on Monday after his private parts and other parts of his body were mutilated in what appeared to be a ritual attack. Full story…