by Giulia Gasperoni

Our beloved country, already depleted by the Covid-19 pandemic and its related socioeconomic consequences, has been experiencing unrest, violence and looting for several days.


It started in Kwazulu-Natal last week, when former president Jacob Zuma was jailed. A stream of protests started in the name of "Free Zuma" but they quickly escalated and took a dark turn: shops were plundered, vehicles burnt, roads blocked.

The unrest quickly spread to Gauteng and reached Johannesburg, where we are still seeing shocking images of violence and terror.


Yesterday 14th July 2021, our very own Dianah ventured to the Chris Hani mall, in Vosloorus.

What she witnessed was brutal and shocking, if not traumatizing. The looting had evolved to a widespread and almost dystopian violence that left 3 people dead - one of which a 14-year-old boy.

Although relieved and grateful that Dianah was able to return safe and sound, we feel greatly concerned (bordering despair) for the destruction through the looting but mostly for the loss of human lives.

​Pictures Dianha Chiyangwa

By Gulia Gasperoni
​
"SOMETIMES it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that generation"
- Nelson Mandela

Today South Africa celebrates Youth Day, honouring the young students who were killed in the Soweto uprisings of 16 June 1976. It is also part of the wider Youth Month and the theme this year is "The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: Growing youth employment for an inclusive and transformed society.”


The tragic events of 1976 are one of the many examples in which enraged youth fought tooth and nail against a system of oppression. They did prevail, albeit in the long-term and with no little sacrifice.

So let's be honest and ask ourselves: what kind of future are we leaving to our youth? Are we doing the best we can to leave a valuable and well-preserved inheritance?

The present does not seem too rosy either. Even the government stated, on their website, that "the recent unemployment statistics pertaining to young people is cause for concern". They quote the 2020 fourth quarter Labour Force Survey, which found that "about 8,6 million young people aged between 15 and 34 years are not in education and not in employment".

The odds might be against them, but we do believe that the energy of young people is very powerful and can truly change the world!

#YouthMonth2021 #LimitlessYouth

​photo archive Diana Chiyangwa

​​Photo archive Antonella Ragazzoni (Soweto)

​Photo archive Antonella Ragazzoni

 by Giulia Gasperoni

​Yesterday, 18th April 2021, just before 9am a vagrant fire started at the foot of Table Mountain.

The fire spread around the Rhodes memorial restaurant, destroying several buildings and landmarks, including the Mostert Mill and part of the UCT Library. Many students were evacuated as upper campus buildings were also damaged by the fire.

Throughout the day and the following night the Fire and Rescue department has worked tirelessly, with the help of four helicopters that waterbombed the area.

Earlier this morning residents of Vredehoek were also evacuated, due to the fire spreading in that direction. The strong wind today is not helping.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is also on site, helping with injured wildlife.

If you can, please assist with donations via www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/uct-support