MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Lessons to be learnt from 1990 Northern Areas riots

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Dear MyPE

The commemorative wreath-laying in honour of the scores of people who died in the 1990 northern areas uprising, left me with mixed emotions.

What was initially a well-orchestrated and legitimate course of action to persuade the municipality to decrease the rental on municipal houses, was sadly hijacked by criminals with tragic results.

Fueled by lawless mobs, the looting and extensive damage to business properties spiralled out of control. A few days later families had to bury 59 of their loved ones, many of whom were totally innocent, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Last week’s riots were precipitated by calls for an education boycott and closure of schools. Once again we were brought to the brink by riots that had the characteristics of the 1990 riots written all over its face.

I thought about the number of Coloured, Indian and Chinese businesses that were irreparably damaged resulting in huge financial losses for the owners as well as senseless loss of innocent lives.

Commemorating an incident like this will be an exercise in futility if we do not at least try to learn lessons from our unfortunate past.

These lessons should include, but not be limited to:

  • Genuinely listening to the legitimate concerns of communities;
  • Addressing these concerns tangibly;
  • Restoring the dignity of the people, eg the squalor in Helenvale;
  • Actively and meaningfully promoting local entrepreneurship, consequently making people less dependent on government hand-outs.
  • Inculcating a culture of respect for the rule of law;
  • Enforcing the laws of the country without fear or favour.

The remains of burnt shells of buildings in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth must forever be a stark reminder of how not to do things, by both government and the people.

Freedom and responsibility once fused can be a formidable tool to address our communities’ concerns.

Real freedom can only ever be achieved through the building of cohesive communities that are underpinned by strong values, strong families and where there are opportunities to live a meaningful life free from the shackles of poverty and free from the fear of crime.

Jonathan Lawack
DA Councillor
Gelvandale

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Port Elizabethan

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