Healing the wounds of the July 2021 unrest: a path to unity and reconciliation

On the 4th anniversary of the July 2021 unrest, Ravi Pillay explores the ongoing challenges of nation building in South Africa, the need for unity, and the importance of the national dialogue in healing our communities

- 

“TOWARDS nation building” is the title of a comprehensive submission that some of us made to the Human Rights Commission at its national investigative hearing into the July 2021 unrest.

As we approach the 4th anniversary of this most traumatic period in our democratic era, we have to confront the reality that we have not moved forward towards nation building. At best we have treaded water.

Many will argue that we have regressed. I remain convinced that there is an overwhelming body of goodwill among the majority of our people who are ready to support any credible effort towards unity and nation building.

Yet there remains this wound that has not healed and which without care, may fester. Some 350 people died. Their families need closure.

The issues are complex and difficult. I am inspired by the potential of the national dialogue. It is the first opportunity since the Freedom Charter in 1955 (it is the 70th anniversary this year) and the adoption of our Constitution in 1996, for a grassroots, people driven conversation and a new, substantially national, consensus and direction.

The July 2021 unrest could be one important part of the conversation, especially in our province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Our submission to the HRC was comprehensive. It is useful to recall a few salient aspects:

@ We remain deeply committed to the building of a united, nonracial society and entrenching the values espoused in our Constitution - “heal the divisions of our past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights”.