South Africa - A nation on the edge

THOUGH it is wrong that Eugene Terreblanche was murdered it is not surprising. He represented a view long unacceptable and his tacit approval of racial violence was bound to end in tragedy though he may never have imagined that the tragedy would be his.

The killing has focused attention on dangerous racial tensions less than 10 weeks before South Africa hosts the World Cup. Though majority rule has been established South Africa has, like so many other African nations, been unable to dramatically improve the lot of millions of its impoverished citizens.

Poverty as much as race is at the root of so many of these conflicts but let us hope that South Africa can establish and enjoy the stability the World Cup and its millions of struggling citizens need.