Today I went to Menlyn mall, the purpose of that was to pay some minor things and then run to inquire about other things just around Menlyn. But I was just lazy as a result, I spent most of my time inside the mall. I ended up at Game, walking around the shop trying to find ideas for the project I want to start. As I was leaving, approaching the door I heard some lady saying “vimba”. If you’re from Jozi CBD (Johannesburg CBD) or happen to spend most of your time there you know what that means, no doubt about that because you probably hear it more than anybody else in South Africa.

My mind didn't go that far though, because we were inside the shop, at least in Jozi (Johannesburg) when you hear that word you expect to see someone running for his life, unfortunately with someone else's belonging. It might be a cell phone, a purse or just running to save themselves from the unforgiving society when whatever mission they were on failed, so it sounded a little strange considering the environment, but lifting my eyes I noticed security, then this little girl running, coming from the entrance door towards the shelves, straight to the back of the shop.

Our minds are so curious, especially for things that doesn't concern us, so as you’d expect we quickly went to the back to see what the story behind all that was, and there she was taking out vanishing creams and deodorants. Apparently she was hiding those under her top according to those who were next to her at the entrance.

But what bothered me was the reaction of the people inside the shop. One lady said, “such a beautiful girl doing such strange things”, others saying “at that age, she’s a thief”. Nobody bothered to think maybe she really needed those but couldn't afford it, not that I’m saying it’s ok to steal but we shouldn’t be too judgmental.

We are so quick to judge, but so slow to find the whole reasons why our friends end up in jails, committing minor crimes they could have avoided, why our peers do all sorts of strange things that we find it hard to accept and live with but we are the ones who sometimes push them to that direction or at least play a part.

My appeal to everyone reading this, If you're in a situation that could lead you to do things that might damage your reputation and your future, talk to everyone around you, friends or anyone who can listen. I know sometimes when people open to us, we pretend to be listening and after we go make a topic about it but try still, maybe you might be lucky to get someone who will really listen and actually help you because if you go to jail at the age of 15 to 20, chances are you might end up choosing to live that kind of life. Remember when you are young all sorts of things are right there waiting for you so if you get a criminal record you just close all those doors before you attempt to open them, find out what's in there for you.

If you have a friend who's going through a rough path, help them out where you can. Sometimes giving them ways to help themselves might just be enough. Before you think about how little you have on your plate there are more ways of giving help, sharing ideas, telling everyone you know about a job opening you saw, about your friend who’s looking for a helper or someone to do gardening might go a long way in helping someone in need.

Don't wait until you can't save them before you take an initiative. Let's not judge those who are going through hard times, but understand the real reason why they decide to steal in shops full of cameras, full of people waiting for incidence like that to laugh at.

Let's all help one another not only when we're happy, but in difficult times too.

Picture by Christian Newman on Unsplash.com