OMW is it ever gonna stop I mean for crying out loud we living in a very diverse country and we should be proud of that.its people like her who dont want to accept change in this country if you hate me for the colour of my skin what does that make you? Im proud of being black and nothing or no one says will make me feel ashamed of that.

The best part of all of this is the replies by some people. They call her racist and then proceed to insult her. Does anyone else see the irony in all of this? If you were the better person, as I am sure most are, you would feel pity for this poor woman. By racially or personally insulting her tends to prove a point to a certain degree. Reacting in the same manner as her does not make it right. She is old school and like my father-in-law you not going to change that mind setin their life time, but you can set in motion the stepping stones for future generations.

It is sad that at this time there are people that see other humans as second class humans. It is because of comments like these that divides the nation and digs the past which everyone is trying to put behind. I remember what P W Botha said. "A zebra will die no matter which colour stripe you shot, black or white" Think about that and then you will have a better understanding of God's creation, a human being.

Megan... now that a white person has said what JM and his cronies have been saying for years (in reverse) it is an issue... I do not agree with her statements of incompetence and crime... But i do believe that EVERYONE is entitled to their own opinion... This is how she feels so let her be... I have many African, colored and Indian friends and I treasure each and every one of them... especially because they are different and interesting... their beliefs upbringing religion traditions... Botes hasn't taken the time out to learn and understand SA's cultures... HER LOSS...

she has a right to like or dislike whoever she wants, it is her right to choose, not because we live together do we have to like one another

This lady needs help, thats all.

South Africa is a democratic state, govern by constitutional democracy and some people have difficulty in accepting this notion.What this woman says is out of anger for the murder of her neighbour, however, this doesn't make all black people murderers and criminals. There are white people who also commit brutal killings of black people yet, you won't hear us saying we don't like white people because there good and evil in all the people irrespective of the race. The acts committed by few black people doesn't make us murderers, criminals and holigans. I believe that as a country we need to open a debate about race and racism, it shouldn't be a debate by politicians and experts but by an ordinary citizens of this country so that we can take this country forward. This kinds of comments comes as results that we as South Africa(irrespective of the race) we lack a common identity, something that we can all say we proudly South Africans. I hope that this woman get a chance to interact with more people then she will see that we are not that bad and scary as she thinks.

I agree with "Nontoh" - we are all victims of crime. Although it is her right to state her opinions, I feel that this kind of statement shows not only her unmittigated lowliness of mind (anyon who uses the term "they them" to describe a group of people shoud immediately be ignored), she is also being totally reckless. I mean, this is a country trying to move past divisiveness and here she is about to set tempers flairing. Totally ignorant, selfish and reckless. As a "white" South African, I totally distance myself from this woman!

At least she doesn't say the boer should shoot them. She simply says she doesn't like them.

Like Donovan, I am a white male and I'm appalled at her comments. As others have said, to lump all black people together because her neighbour was murdered, is at best, racial profiling, at worst, simply racist. Unfortunately in South Africa, we're still pretty polarised and most issues are dealt with in a "you're either with us or against us" fashion, feeding into negative stereotyping. It's very sad.

This lady needs help, thats all.

At least she doesn't say the boer should shoot them. She simply says she doesn't like them.

Annalie you are missing one of life's greatest blessings. Umntu ngubuntu ngabantu (Community). As a white American living in South Africa for 11 years the Xhosa people are some of my best friends, we also love the Afrikaans and have very good friends. Why do people not look at the heart? I would encourage you Annelie to come with us to the Townships and learn grace!

I respect this journalist. She tells it like it is. Most other journalists will always sacrifice the truth on the altar of political correctness. She calls a spade a 'spade' and she has the GUTS to do this!

Generalization is almost always a bad thing. "Black people" or even "white people". Let's talk about an individual who murders or who is incompetent, as that happens, regardless of ones race. Tolerance, respect, understanding ?

Not the cleverest statement to make point, never mind being a author (..should that be was an author). Brave or stupid take your pick. But frankly she has stated a degree of truth and also from both black white sides... We do not understand each other nor our customs and that breeds dislike and hate. Whites think all blacks are murderers and all blacks think whites are given everything on a plate and then some (just the most apparent misconceptions)... We need to realise we are South African and we need to stand together for a better future for all ...the Chinese are coming and they make apartheid and Idi Amien look like fairies.

She is a type of person that I would sit and have a conversation with, as she expresses exactly how she feels, than sit with someone and not know what plot they have against you!!!!!! Let the truth be told, out of the abundance of the heart so shall a man speak, she spoke what was in her heart.

Shame! And now you have tainted the general white population by your silly, short-sighted comments. Personally speaking, I find black people interesting and would rather sit with on of them and share a lunch than one of my white counterparts. You should be ashamed - especially in this day and age! Instead of denying the meaning of what you said, why don't you just apologise and make amends?

I agree fully with fRANCO lOUBSER, now that someone of another color has said these statements we all jump into defence mode simply because she is white!! Its her opinion and i think i'd rather live with people like her rather than living with people that i dont know what they think about me... Please go sort Malema out and then you can say what ever you like about her!!

I also don't understand white people, does this mean I should not like them as well? I believe her remarks are based squarely on her prejudice against black people in general. Given our history I am not surprised. Why is everyone making such a big fuss about this? Prior ’94 this would have been expected and not have even made news. Now 16 years later people expect things to be different? Our country is still healing people, stop all the pretence, just come out and say it!