Sihle Zikalala, the premier of KwaZulu-Natal, claims that several homes are still struggling and in need after the social upheaval in July 2021.
On the one-year anniversary of the July civil upheaval, which resulted in 354 fatalities, Zikalala made the statements.
On Friday, the Premier conducted “Operation Siyahlola” to evaluate the development of the places that had been devastated during the riots and looting last year.
The Premier evaluated the harm done to companies during a visit to those in uMlazi, KwaMashu, Nandi Drive, and Springfield Park as part of the operation.
Some of the companies have emerged from the ruins and are once again in business.
Speaking to the media about the efforts being made by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government and its business partners to rebuild the province, Zikalala said that just when it appeared that the province had weathered the storm, the April floods served as a further reminder to its people of their vulnerability to the whims of rapidly changing global weather patterns.
“These external shocks had a severe socio-economic impact on the economy of KwaZulu-Natal, resulting in low economic growth and unemployment breaching the 30% mark in the third quarter of 2020.
“Until now, poverty levels had risen sharply and billions worth of rands were wiped off the economy due to infrastructure damage, company liquidations and loss of household income,” Zikalala said.
Zikalala said that despite the province’s obviously serious socioeconomic issues, certain indications show that the economy is “rising from the ashes.”
“Our GDP grew by 1.9% in the first quarter of 2022, although output is still lower than the pre-COVID levels. Our unemployment rate marginally declined in the first quarter of 2022 from 35% to 34.5%. Major investments have come through to our shores, indicating the confidence that investors still have in our economy,” Zikalala stated.
The KwaZulu-Natal economy is poised for increasing economic activity with the relaxation of the last COVID-19 limitations, notably within the tourist industry, which was significantly bolstered by the Durban July a few weeks ago.
“The return of airlines such as SAA [South African Airways], Turkish, Qatar, and new routes such as Durban-Harare, Durban-Eswatini, are expected to boost tourism further. The sovereign credit rating agency, S&P Global, has upgraded its outlook for South Africa to positive from stable, which is a welcome development for the economy of KwaZulu-Natal,” the Premier said.
According to Zikalala, the province is actively pursuing socio-economic integration to strengthen social cohesion and prevent future incidents of violence amongst KwaZulu-various Natal’s racial groups.
According to him, the administration is adamant about addressing some of the problems that contributed to the tragedies that were experienced during the turmoil.
“What the unrest taught us is that government needs to move with both agility, urgency and speed in reducing socio-economic inequalities because this is the only way social cohesion will be achieved.
“All reports delivered post the unrest are very clear that the racialised economy, which perpetuates racial inequality, joblessness and poverty, militates against our efforts to build a society founded on justice, equality and human dignity,” Zikalala said.
Following the unrest, the provincial administration began working with the local communities as part of the Social Cohesion Programme, which aims to encourage harmony, peace, and unity among all races in the province.
According to Zikalala, the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security Cluster has been granted the freedom to carry out its job unhindered in order to solve all offences connected to the disturbances in July.
Peace committees have been created to address the racial concerns, and the government has also engaged the impacted communities of Phoenix, Welbedacht, and Chatsworth.
“These will be supported by interventions that promote social cohesion, peace and unity. We have commenced with school sports, and the School Twinning Programme, and social cohesion through the Sport and Recreation Programme, especially between the affected communities,” Zikalala said.