Communities opt for unity in a time of uncertainty
AMID the chaos of looting, the destruction of property and theft of goods, communities in Botha’s Hill, the Valley of a Thousand Hills and rural Kwanyuswa were united in a calamity and were able to bridge racial divides, adopting tolerance and ubuntu.
When looters targeted Assagay, near Hillcrest, on Sunday night, panic set in and residents set up barricades, took up arms and denied access to those living outside their neighbourhood. This meant that residents from Kwanyuswa were not able to access shops, the petrol station and other establishments that both communities share.
Nick Nzama, a businessman from Assagay, was troubled that he would not be able to visit his mother, who lived across the valley in Kwanyuswa.
“There is only one road that goes in and out of Kwanyuswa, and to me this was going to be a catalyst to a bigger racial monster and division. We have one petrol station which services all of us. If you close in the community in the valley, what do you think will happen?” he said.
“Since I had the advantage of understanding both communities, the fears of the whites and the struggles of the black people, I then spoke to the neighbourhood watch and we agreed to set up a meeting which was also attended by the local Nyuswa taxi association, traditional leaders, ward councillors as well as owners of local businesses to find a solution, as not all Kwanyuswa community members were looting.”
Nzama was raised at a chicken farm where his mother worked. To get to the farm, he often had to pass through Kearsney College. On his way home one day, he encountered a school teacher who was impressed by his ability to express himself. That meeting led to a full scholarship at the college, an opportunity for which he remains grateful.
Nzama said this week they were joined by the Botha’s Hill and the West Riding neighbourhood watches. It was agreed that weapons should be put down and that communities work together to protect the town while still providing services.
The taxi association offered to provide private security to the service station, which was reopened on Wednesday. The local Spar and Tops, which had been looted, also agreed to open their doors provided they would be guaranteed safety.
Ward councillors were tasked with addressing the Kwanyuswa communities in order to quell the violence and tensions.
“There was a lot of fear instilled by false information circulating on social media. Residents were told that 1000 people were coming from the valley to attack,” he said. “It was my responsibility to make everyone understand that there would not be violent attacks that required people to abandon their homes, and that putting guns down would calm the storm.”
Nzama said although three people had died during looting-related incidents, the community had been working together and most businesses in the area were now operational.
“As people we make a lot of mistakes, but the one thing we cannot do is not to try and be positive. There is good in all of us and it is up to us to choose what we want to focus on. Everybody understands the knife edge we were on; what is happening in Phoenix could have easily happened to us.”
Ward 103 ANC councillor Mthe Sibisi said there had been one incident on Friday evening where five suspects had vandalised a school in the valley and attempted to steal equipment, but overall the past week had been a success as they had learnt to work together.
“Things are calm and we have all been working well protecting the service station and the Botha’s Hill Spar, which is now serving our community,” Sibisi said.