Ray's Story—Part 2

The last night of 1983 was to be a new beginning for Ray. He joined some friends and went to the beachfront that afternoon. The plan was to join the revelry and then return home with the first bus on New Years' morning. He told his mother that he would be sleeping at Joseph's house, and would be home in time to accompany the family to the New Years church service.

As the night wore on there seemed to be more and more people converging on the beachfront. With the money they had earned working during the past weeks, they were able to eat at the one the many restaurants that were located near the beachfront. They compared notes about the education, skill and ability of the departmental managers (all white) in the departmental store where they worked during the summer holidays. Joseph expressed surprise at the store's general manager ability to communicate. To run one of the largest stores in the province, he should at least be able to speak to the employees.

At about 22h30, they decided to take off their shoes and walk on the shore. Suddenly, Joseph cried out in pain. A white man had struck him with an empty brandy bottle on the shoulder, and the bottle broke, cutting him on the neck and back. "Boesman!" the man shouted, "wat doen jy op `n wit strand!"

The white duty nurse at casualty section of the Addington Hospital, which was only fifteen minutes walk from where they had been assaulted, said to her colleague, "Another Coloured that was in fight. Every New Year it is the same thing. They drink themselves to a standstill and then kill each other." Ray was shocked when he heard this, but was unable to speak due to the punch he had received in his mouth.