GEORGE NEWS - A resident of Wilderness, Kathy Whitehead, is watching the unfolding situation in Afghanistan with more than normal interest. She works remotely from the Wilderness for a television station in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The Taliban took control of Kabul on Sunday. Whitehead was based in Kabul in the past and fought for months to be repatriated from Afghanistan in 2020.
Already wary because the security situation for foreigners was volatile, she finally decided to try and leave the country when Covid-19 broke out. She had visa problems and her passport was seized by the interior ministry in Afghanistan.
She then stayed in a civilian camp. She arrived back in South Africa 14 July 2020.
READ MORE: Wilderness journo safely back home after nightmare in Afghanistan
At the moment she works as the news editor for the tv-station's website. She starts work at 06:00 (SA time) and is on call until 21:00, six days a week.
Afghanistan is two and half hours ahead of South Africa.
She hasn't been back to the country.
"It is heartbreaking to see what is happening there," she said on Monday. She has seen videos of what is happening at the airport. "The people are terrified and are fleeing from the country. My staff, friends, and colleagues are there. The people are terrified. I have been spending the last few days talking to friends and colleagues to stay calm."
According to her the situation took the whole world by surprise.
"We expected it to happen slowly over nine months as predicted by US intelligence agencies two weeks ago."
READ MORE: Home from Kabul at long last: The nightmare is over
She said it is an absolute mess. "It is people wanting to get of the country. They have bad memories of when the Taliban was in power in the past."
Many of her colleagues have been been killed by the Taliban. A number of journalists have been assassinated this year. "All journalists and media workers are classified as high risk people," she said.
"I am very glad that I am home and safe, but at the same time I am extremely worried for friends, colleagues and staff. We are taking it hour by hour."
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