Good Morning Angels Extra (Stan Potgieter)
Helping a desperate man deal with the trauma of a deadly clash, that still haunts him 30 years after being a SA Army conscript
Background:
Last week, the Complimentary Breakfast hosted Roelf Schoeman. He was one of the thounsands of young South Africans, called up to do national duty in the Army. He himself was deployed in the Caprivi during the so-called border war. Roelf signed up as a permanent member of the SANDF and in 2007 he obtained his Masters Degree in theology with his research into the post traumatic stress suffered by those soldiers – decades after the war is over and the young men’s duty declared unjust by society.
One of these former young soldiers, Stan Potgieter called in to the show and shared his story. Also the fact that he never got any counselling or help to deal with the trauma he experienced as a 17-year old SA troop and how he has been carrying this with him for the past 30 years.
We decided not to leave it there and this morning, we would like to offer Stan some real help. Dr. Erika Nell has been working at the SANDF with soldiers for the past few years and has now opened her private practice. She’s agreed to see Stan and offer him help and the Good Morning Angels fund will foot the bill.