Frenchman discusses terror in Paris and Africa

Maxime Brellmann , a resident of Paris who lived in Joburg when studying at the University of Johannesburg in 2012 and 2013, reflects on terror in France and Africa.

He says, “On Friday evening at around midnight, I started getting messages from my South African friends, who wanted to confirm that the Facebook Safety Check status was telling them the truth, so that I was alright. It was the case, I was home, skyping with my girlfriend in Canada, while following the news of what was happening. As you see, I made people worry about me on two continents, which is interesting to me and scaring to them.

“What I found particularly meaningful is the fact that people in Johannesburg, South Africa, a city where I studied, and a city portrayed as one of the most dangerous in the world, were worried about their friend in Paris, France, a relatively safe country. The attacks were such a shock due to their violence and their immediate broadcast, that everyone with an access to a source of information was aware of it. People cared about others in pain, even if they live in an unsafe environment. It is a great proof of how humanity can join hands, whatever the situation may be.

“Some commentators in Africa said that everyone is crying because of the attacks in Paris, but such acts of terrorism happen very often in Africa, and less people care about it. That’s a fair point and it is true, such catastrophies are less broadcasted, so less people are aware of it. Which is why in the lines I can use to express myself, I would like to have a thought for both the people affected by the Paris attacks, and for the Africans affected by terrorist attacks all over the continent.

“We are powerless in the face of a terrorist attack, but that does not mean that nothing can be done after it, and the main thing to do is to continue to live as usual, if possible. Of course, people who were directly or indirectly affected by the attacks, won’t necessarily tell you the same as they are in a deep pain, and that’s understandable. I just want to say that I am not afraid, on Sunday the 15th I went to the gym as usual, on Monday the 16th I went to work and took the metro, and so on until today.

“This does not mean that I am not cautious, this is simply how it should be, and the vast majority of people in Paris is doing the same. This is something that people from Johannesburg know way too well, the threat does not prevent them from living, and this is one of the reasons, why I love Joburg so much. To the people who thought about me during the events, many thanks, it means a lot.”

Brellmann previously spoke about his opinion of living and studying in South Africa.