President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that correcting spatial distortions must be part of the country’s work of building an inclusive economy and improving the living conditions of all South Africans, referring to the recent events that took place in Phoenix, in KwaZulu-Natal.

Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that while the violence and destruction that engulfed parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng two weeks ago caused significant damage to property and livelihoods, it also had a huge impact on the cohesion of communities.

He was speaking of the racial tensions that ignited in and around Phoenix and which resulted in a number of deaths.

Ramaphosa stated that the narrative around the events in Phoenix is dominated by attempts to turn Africans and Indians against each other and has been stoked by anonymous people on social media and in messaging groups.

“Just as there were people who tried to exploit people’s vulnerability and cause mayhem, there are those who want to present criminal acts in racial terms to serve their own purposes. They will not succeed. South Africa has a proud history of principled non-racialism and working class solidarity. African and Indian communities were united in the struggle against apartheid and, together with other communities, remain committed to a united and democratic society,” he asserted.

He added that the country’s efforts to build integrated communities have been frustrated by the legacy of apartheid planning and persistent inequality, as cities, towns and rural areas are still divided by race and class.

He explained that this discourages cooperation and understanding, and hampers work to build a non-racial society.

IMPROVING LIVING CONDITIONS OF SOUTH AFRICANS

Ramaphosa said while government is working to build township and rural economies, with a focus on the growth of small businesses, racism also needed to be confronted.

He said conversations about people’s attitudes to one another and conversations around material conditions needed to take place.

He said for as long as the division of wealth and opportunity is largely still determined by race and gender, a truly united nation cannot be built.

Ramaphosa said the events in Phoenix are a reminder of how much work South Africa still needs to do to build inclusive communities that have successfully broken down the boundaries of the past.

He added that these events have also demonstrated how determined some people are to divide the country, and how South Africans need to resist them.

“It is our collective responsibility to support these communities in eThekwini and elsewhere in their journey towards reconciliation and healing. Our democracy was built by peacemakers and bridge-builders. The architects of our freedom were African, Indian, coloured and white men and women of great courage who chose the path of reconciliation over retribution, and of peace over war,” said Ramaphosa.