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IOL News
23 minutes ago
- IOL News
Four years after the flames: the lingering scars of July 2021
Motor vehicles were set alight on Phoenix Highway during the unrest in Phoenix, north of Durban. The writer says the community of Phoenix, where he serves, became the unfortunate epicenter of the storm. Image: Motshwari Mofokeng/African News Agency (ANA) JULY 2025 marked four years since one of South Africa's darkest modern moments - the unprecedented unrest that swept across KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng, in the wake of former President Jacob Zuma's incarceration. What began ostensibly as protests against the arrest of a former head of state quickly devolved into a full-scale attempted insurrection, revealing the deeper, festering wounds of a society teetering on the edge of collapse. While the political trigger was clear, it was merely a spark to a powder keg long in the making: mass unemployment, entrenched poverty, a failing state, and the devastating socio-economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was not just a protest - it was a desperate cry from a people disillusioned with their government and abandoned by the promise of democracy. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Phoenix: a town at the crossroads of crisis The community of Phoenix, where I proudly serve, became the unfortunate epicenter of the storm. When looters and violent instigators advanced toward homes, businesses, and places of worship, residents stood up. Men and women, young and old, took up the mantle of self-defence - not out of hate, but out of fear. They did what the state failed to do: they protected lives, livelihoods, and the very fabric of their communities. But amid that defensive stance, a terrible tragedy unfolded. A few individuals - acting outside the bounds of law and without the mandate of any community - targeted people based not on behaviour, but on skin colour. Innocent lives were lost. Families were shattered. Children were orphaned. The names of Delani Hadebe, Mondli Majola, and others - black and Indian - echo as chilling reminders that hatred and racial profiling have no place in a democratic society. Let us be clear: these individuals who committed racialised violence do not represent Phoenix. They do not represent the Indian community, nor any other community. Their actions tarnished a town that was, for the most part, standing for what was right. And even now, four years later, Phoenix still carries a stigma that it does not deserve - a burden placed on the shoulders of people who had nothing to do with those isolated acts of hatred. The racial wedge: a wound reopened The unrest deepened the racial divide, especially between black and Indian communities. Opportunists and unscrupulous individuals, some with political motives, exploited the violence to pit South Africans against one another. They used social media to inflame tensions and spread misinformation. It became easier to blame a race than to blame the real culprits - the masterminds, the failed state security apparatus, and the rotten political elite. But amid that darkness, there were lights of hope. A statesman among us: the peacemaking of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Few leaders rose to the occasion in the way the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi did. As former Prime Minister to the Zulu monarch and President Emeritus of the IFP, he carried moral authority across racial, ethnic, and political lines. In the days and weeks following the unrest, he made tireless efforts to calm tensions, traveling to communities on both sides of the divide, encouraging dialogue, compassion, and unity. It was Prince Buthelezi who reminded us of our shared destiny, of the legacy of struggle that both Indians and black South Africans had jointly inherited from history. It was he who said: "We are not enemies - we are neighbors, friends, family." His efforts brokered peace when government officials were nowhere to be seen. Today, more than ever, we miss his leadership - his voice of reason, his moral compass, his quiet but unwavering courage. Security failures and political cowardice Perhaps the most damning indictment of that period was the sheer failure of the state to anticipate, contain, or prevent the unrest. South Africa's intelligence agencies failed to detect the planning. The Minister of Defence at the time flatly denied any signs of an insurrection, even as cities burned. The president's response was slow and unconvincing. Worse still, the very architects of the chaos - the so-called "commanders" of the uprising, many of whom are now seated comfortably as Members of Parliament, some in the ANC and others in the MK Party - have evaded justice. The silence of law enforcement and the inaction of the prosecuting authority make a mockery of justice. It is a betrayal to the people who died, to the families who mourn, and to the country that still suffers. Lingering aftershocks Economically, thousands of small businesses never reopened. Jobs were lost, and informal traders were devastated. Socially, trauma still lives in the eyes of our elders, in the anxiety of our children, and in the conversations we whisper at dinner tables. Politically, the unrest laid bare the true fragility of our state and the recklessness of those in power. Today, in 2025, there are rumblings once again. A statement by KwaZulu-Natal's Police Commissioner has implicated Minister Senzo Mchunu and associates in conversations that could hint at fresh unrest. One can only hope this time, the government will act swiftly and decisively. We cannot afford another July 2021. The cost would be too great. Honouring the heroes, mourning the fallen We owe a great debt to the many brave South Africans who defended our communities - not with hatred, but with heart. People of all races formed human chains to protect shopping malls, food depots, and homes. They guarded one another, treated the wounded, comforted the grieving, and fed the hungry. We remember those who died at the hands of criminals - not just as statistics, but as sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers. People like Mondli Majola, whose bravery was evident in his final moments. People like Delani Hadebe, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. They are not forgotten. They never will be. Looking ahead As we reflect on the past four years, let us commit to truth, justice, and healing. Let us reject the politics of division and the lies of opportunists. Let us defend our democracy - not only from those who seek to destroy it with fire and bullets - but from those who poison it with silence, denial, and impunity. South Africa is wounded, yes - but not broken. We have been betrayed, yes - but we are not without hope. If we are to rise from these ashes, we must do it together. In unity. In peace. And with courage. Jonathan Annipen Image: Supplied Jonathan Annipen is an IFP Councillor in the eThekwini Municipality and serves as the Whip on the Finance Committee. He writes in his personal capacity. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
All time high! Net annual office leasing in India may hit a record; soar to 50 million square feet
Following strong recovery post Covid-19, the commercial office sector is positioned for steady growth, supported by reduced remote working and robust GCC demand. (AI image) Grade A commercial office space leasing in India is projected to achieve a 7-9% CAGR through 2027, surpassing 50 million sq ft in financial year 2026-27, according to Crisil ratings agency. Annual supply is anticipated at 53-57 million sq ft, contributing to a 6.5-7% CAGR expansion in overall office inventory during this period. This trend will lead to improved occupancy levels and increased cash flows for commercial office developers. Credit profiles will remain stable, supported by prudent leverage, as per Crisil's analysis of 78 commercial office space developers representing approximately a quarter of India's Grade A office stock. "With healthy demand absorbing the elevated supply, the overall vacancy level for India's Grade A office market is expected to decline to 15.5-16.0% by the end of fiscal 2027. That will mark a 100 basis points (bps) improvement over fiscal 2025. While overall vacancy is expected to reduce over this period, the trend will vary across micro-markets," said Gautam Shahi, Director, Crisil Ratings according to an ET report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She's 75 and Retiring - Her Handcrafted Jewelry Is 80% OFF Design Craft Weekly Read More Undo Following strong recovery post Covid-19, the commercial office sector is positioned for steady growth, supported by reduced remote working and robust GCC demand. GCCs remain crucial for sector growth, attracted by India's skilled workforce and cost benefits, contributing 30-40% of annual commercial office space net leasing across sectors. The next two years will see net leasing driven by significant growth in BFSI and flexible workspace sectors. BFSI expansion reflects credit growth, increased assets under management and workforce expansion. Flexible workspace operators continue offering adaptable, efficient solutions. IT/ITeS sector leasing growth is expected to be moderate at 5-6%, primarily driven by GCCs, whilst domestic IT company demand remains subdued. Supply of commercial office space, which decreased to 47 million sq ft last fiscal, is expected to reach 53-55 million sq ft this fiscal as ongoing projects reach completion. Crisil forecasts steady supply at 55-57 million sq ft next fiscal, with developers adjusting plans considering higher vacancies in certain areas. Total office stock is expected to reach 920-925 million sq ft by fiscal 2027, increasing from 810 million sq ft in March 2025. Mumbai Metropolitan Region and National Capital Region, comprising one-third of commercial office inventory, are likely to see vacancy reduction of 200-250 bps, driven by BFSI, flexible workspace and IT/ITeS demand. Southern markets, representing half the office stock, should maintain stable vacancy levels despite new supply, supported by continued GCC demand. Pune may experience increased vacancies due to substantial upcoming supply potentially exceeding demand growth. "Declining vacancy levels, along with contracted rental escalations and recent interest rate cuts by the central bank, are expected to improve cash flows of commercial office players. This, along with prudent leveraging by developers, should keep their credit profiles healthy this fiscal and the next. As a result, the annual DSCR5 is expected to improve to 1.9-2.0 times this fiscal and the next from 1.7 times last fiscal," said Snehil Shukla, Associate Director, Crisil Ratings. Debt to EBITDA ratio is forecast to improve to 4.0-4.2 times by March 2027 from 4.7 times as of March 2025. However, geopolitical developments, global economic slowdown affecting GCC leasing, and potential excessive leveraging remain areas of concern.
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
A Fair Work Commission ruling on a WFH dispute could have massive impact on working parents
A Sydney father must return to the office following a ruling by the Fair Work Commission, after he asked for a compromise to his work schedule to care for his children - in a ruling that could affect other Australian working families. Paul Collins, a technical specialist at global software company InterSystems Australia, lodged an application with Fair Work seeking flexible working arrangements after attempts to reach a compromise with his employer failed. He submitted a request in January to work from home every Wednesday and Thursday to care for his 8- and 10-year-old children and the need for a work and life balance. Until late 2024, Mr Collins had been working remotely on both these days under a hybrid working model adopted by InterSystems following the Covid-19 pandemic. In November that same year, the company announced it was ending this arrangement and staff would need to return to the office five days a week from February 2025. Mr Collins' WFH request was denied, but InterSystems offered an alternate arrangement of one work-from-home day per week. This was rejected and Mr Collins escalated the dispute to the FWC. In her judgment on Monday, FWC deputy president Lyndall Dean said she was not satisfied Mr Collins had established the 'requisite nexus' between his responsibility as a parent and the change he was seeking in his work arrangements. She said his written request 'merely expressed a preference to continue with a pre-existing pattern of remote work' and did not specify how working from home twice a week 'specifically supported or related to his parental responsibilities'. The judgement comes as companies attempt to get people back into the office full time following the end of COVID restrictions. During the federal election campaign, then opposition leader Peter Dutton wanted public servants in Canberra to return to the office, but walked the policy back following a backlash from the Albanese government and trade unions who believed the policy would negatively impact women. Newly appointed opposition leader Sussan Ley has endorsed full time working from home arrangements for some working families if the need arises.
