Gauteng’s protest record is nothing to brag about
The unrest is a disturbing mirror for our society and a clear indication that government is failing to bring about a 'better life for all'.
A Zulu men residing at the Jeppe Hostel shout while waving a stick towards the police in JeppesTown, in Johannesburg, on September 3, 2019, following a second night of urban rioting in this area of the city in an unusually large expression of anti-foreigner sentiment. – The township was scene to a second night of urban rioting in Johannesburg, where hundreds of people marched through the streets on September 2 in an unusually large expression of anti-foreigner sentiment. Such violence breaks out sporadically in South Africa where many nationals blame immigrants for high unemployment, particularly in manual labour. (Photo by GUILLEM SARTORIO / AFP)
Gauteng likes to be known as the “Texas of South Africa” where everything is bigger and better than in the less fortunate provinces.
However, its latest leading spot is not exactly an accolade which brings honour to the province.
Municipal IQ, an organisation specialising in “local government data and intelligence collection”, says in its latest Municipal Hotspots Monitor that Gauteng has the highest number of service delivery protests – about 24% of the national total. KwaZulu-Natal is not far behind at 21%.
The organisation’s figures have led it to warn that there may be more service delivery protests ahead, because the total nationwide so far this year is already at 199, compared with 237 for the whole of last year.
There is also a sobering picture painted of how these protests have been escalating. It is hard to believe that the first such protests were logged in 2004.
This year’s protests alone account for 11% of all those since then.
Protesters are raising issues that are the responsibility – or the perceived responsibility – of local government, the organisation said.
The unrest is a disturbing mirror for our society and a clear indication that government is failing to bring about the “better life for all” the ANC promised.
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