Letter: KZN protests ‘The Perfect Storm’, a business owner’s perspective

Umdloti business owner, Marco Coelho writes:

There can be no valid justification for the theft and destruction of another’s private and public property, but for those non perpetrators, it seems these acts can justify their notions of sub-intelligence and racism.

There is, however, nothing further from the truth.

Firstly, let us appreciate that throughout history, the masterminds of destruction were mostly highly intelligent people.

We, as the Human race, are responsible for many forms of destruction and this is unfortunately evident in our actions and attitudes towards human kind, and our planet.

Secondly, we need to understand that it is in fact because of racism, in all its varied forms, that we ultimately find ourselves existing in such environs of poverty and inequality.

These recent protests firstly started out by the mobilisation of ‘Zuma loyalists’, and thereafter was piggy backed by the disgruntled unemployed, political activists, and criminal opportunists.

I don’t believe that anyone wakes up in the morning and decides that it’s a good day to go and loot and destroy. 

If anything, the act of going out to loot for food and clothing is demeaning to oneself.  

We are currently sitting on a socio-economic time bomb, whereby there are millions of people who simply have nothing, and cannot see any future prospects for themselves.

What they actually see, is a minority enjoying and squandering their riches.

There are two kinds of extremely dangerous people in this world. 

The rich, who have the resources and will stop at nothing to protect their property and beliefs. 

Then you have the poor, who have absolutely nothing to lose by breaking the law.

According to statistics, we are sitting on an unemployment rate of 46%, of which 75% are youth.

It’s easy for us to point fingers and lay the responsibilities at government’s door.

They do have a responsibility.

They must clean up their act in terms of the ongoing corruption and urgently review economic policy that will steer us towards equitable transformation. 

Equitable transformation means that we all may benefit from the country’s wealth in resources and, it means levelling of the economic playing field, whereby all people have equal opportunity.

It is then up to big and small business to accept these policies, dismantle systematic racism, and play their part in skills development for our youth.

The only way to create employment in our country is to encourage and support entrepreneurship. 

More people in business mean more employment opportunities.

More people employed equals more tax revenue, and a bigger demand for goods and services which will stimulate the economy and close the unemployment gap even further. 

This is a simple equation surely?

As fellow South Africans we have to acknowledge and remind ourselves that the civil liberties we enjoy today along with the best global constitution were eventually realized after much spilt blood and lost lives in actions of protest.

We have maybe put out the flames for some time but I don’t believe we have seen the end.

On the contrary it may just be the beginning.

This was not a sporadic event but instead a lid that has been blown off a pot that was simmering for decades.

These actions were regional, and in the great scheme of things just a small mobilization of people.

A national mass mobilization of this nature will put our country in the dark for sure.

We all have a responsibility, as business owners and individuals to work and move towards a non-racist equitable society.

It all starts in our homes. Let’s not just talk of “not seeing colour” but also start talking about seeing the ongoing daily struggle of our people as a whole.

The word “Ubuntu “is derived from an old African Inguni principle “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu “translated means every man is because of another.

Now is the time to start paying back.

Let us start by paying it back in showing more kindness and compassion.

If we love our country the way we say we do, let’s act now, and do what we can before it’s really too late and irreparable.

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