The unrest that besieged KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng a year ago exposed racialised fault lines entrenched in society.
In a recent collective submission to the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), which conducted hearings into the catastrophic events, a group of KwaZulu-Natal based individuals and organisations said the noble ideal of non-racialism “has not been achieved, and we have much work to do to transform attitudes, values, stereotyping and power relations across all racial groupings in SA”.
They said: “The impact of colonialism and apartheid has left enduring negative legacies in all communities.
“It is therefore not surprising that racialised fault lines have carved themselves into the fabric of our society, and that these would be exposed at times of tension and conflict.”
Recognising this, organisations and individuals supporting the submission have undertaken initiatives directed towards social cohesion and nation building.
“Organisations in Phoenix and Pietermaritzburg have initiated programmes and activities to begin to address decades-long racial tensions. The provincial government’s social cohesion and moral regeneration council and religious bodies have also initiated programmes to advance social cohesion and nation building.
It is not surprising racialised fault lines have carved themselves into the fabric of our society, and that these would be exposed at times of tension and conflict
— A group of KwaZulu-Natal based individuals and organisations
“While these initiatives are welcome, it is submitted that these social cohesion programmes can no longer be ad hoc nor fragmented. They need to be mainstreamed and be part of programmes at all three spheres of government and find creative expression in the school syllabus.”
The group, among them Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, urged the commission to strengthen efforts to build a culture of accountability, applicable to, among others, “office bearers and organs of state that bore responsibility for inaction or deliberate promotion of the violence, especially in the intelligence services, the police and the military.”
It also wants action against perpetrators and “those who instigated, incited, organised and implemented acts to cause and sustain the unrest for that period in July”.
“As is well known, SA has been grappling with the challenge of nurturing, growing and entrenching a culture of accountability and to extinguish the culture of impunity that pervades our society.
“The July 2021 unrest has been correctly described as the biggest shock and disruption to our post-1994 democratic transition.
“It has exposed and sharpened historical societal fault lines. The capacity of state institutions charged with governance has been seriously questioned.
“It has further damaged our already seriously weakened economy and aggravated the Covid-19 pandemic damage. Confidence has been shaken in society and in the investor community.”
The group said in its submission that the work of the SAHRC “is an important pillar to rebuilding confidence”.
“The credibility and integrity of the outcome of the commission hearings will depend on both the thoroughness and frankness with which all issues are confronted.”
When it came to the economic impact of the unrest, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry said on Monday the state of the business sphere “is testament of the damage this devastating unlawful act caused for many businesses which are still trying to recover”.
“We know and see the extent of the damage the city suffered. The severe financial loss as a result of the unrest was truly shattering, and close to billions in damage was caused.”
A survey conducted by the eThekwini municipality with the chamber’s assistance revealed the following:
- value of lost sales and stock — R40bn;
- value of damage to property — R15bn;
- value of lost equipment and machinery — R20bn;
- businesses negatively impacted — 16,000, and;
- jobs at risk — 9,100.
“While research analysts are busy with their research and data capturing, we cannot give an accurate indicator to measure business confidence in Durban. However, we are confident businesses are committed to rebuilding in Durban and in KwaZulu-Natal.”
The chamber said despite ongoing challenges, affected business are rebuilding, with some already fully operational.
“Following engagements with our colleagues in the private sector, we believe business leaders are committed to rebuilding their operations in Durban.
“We therefore continue to work closely with government to ensure adequate support is given to the private sector to fast-track the rebuilding process.”
The chamber wants law enforcement agencies to take “a more proactive approach in preparing for disasters”.
“Government needs to work with the business community to ensure safety and security is a priority, and resources need to be mobilised to support intelligence gathering.”
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