In a week of utter chaos, violence, and destruction we have only just begun to access the scale of the damage wrought by looting and protests supposedly in the wake of the arrest of Jacob Zuma. But dark forces have been afoot since the very beginning of this latest episode of the everlasting Zuma saga and now we must ask ourselves collectively “what have we done?” The rampant looting and destruction of merchandise and stores across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have brought the country to its knees. The economic damage could well run into the billions of rands and more than 100 lives have been lost.
The deployment of the SANDF in conjunction with the police has helped to quell some of the violence but the damage is done and while President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Durban today, where he firmly said: “We will not allow anyone to hijack our democracy,” it’s hard to believe we haven’t let that happen already, Mr President.
Now we must take stock of the consequences of our actions and if you’re looking for a helpful guide then a panel of journalists discusses the political and economic effects of the riots on a special edition of Editing Allowed on Business Day TV.
And what of the rebuild? Rob Rose writes in the Financial Mail about how investment in opening new businesses and rebuilding those destroyed could be negatively hampered after he spoke with the founder of Food Lover’s Market. (For subscribers)
We look towards a future of hope but it’s becoming increasingly filled with despair. It’s always brightest after the darkest of nights…
Here’s a round of the most interesting opinions and analyses:
The spirit of Ubuntu will triumph as SA rebuilds – The Citizen (For subscribers)
Ramaphosa should have been on the frontline assuring that the state was in control – Daily Maverick
BRUCE WHITFIELD: This is Ramaphosa’s crisis to waste – Financial Mail
SHIRLEY DE VILLIERS: Anarchy in the RSA – Financial Mail
Daniel Silke | Was South Africa’s violent week the wake-up call we needed? – News24 (For subscribers)
Godfrey Motsa | We must never fall into this pit of lawlessness and anger again – Fin24
For the first time in my life, I’m all out of jokes – Mail & Guardian
