Lungani Zungu
Only a few days ago, burnt out cars and blocked roads with “Residents Only!” signs were a reminder of the deadly racial tension in Phoenix.
But now, after more than three weeks of feuding, the residents in this troubled area north of Durban are moving swiftly to broker peace between Indians and Blacks.
Inanda resident Thabani Mkhungo told Scrolla.Africa they have held a series of meetings with their Indian neighbours in a bid to end the conflict that led to the death of more than 50 people.
“We want to see peace. We don’t want to see any more bloodshed,” he said.
Clinton Naidoo, a Phoenix resident, said he was confident that a solution would be found.
“There is nothing that can stop us from finding one another. We are working with our black brothers to find peace,” he said.
“We must not hesitate to report those hotheads who are talking violence when we are talking peace.”
Many people from Inanda worked in factories in neighbouring Phoenix.
As the tension heated up, blacks could not cross over to Phoenix, a predominantly Indian area.
But as this has eased slightly, black people can now go back to work or search for jobs in Phoenix.
Sibongile Ngcobo said she feared going to work, until Monday.
“My bosses promised I would be safe. That is why I went to work this week,” she said.
Fearing the worst, many black parents walked their children to Phoenix schools when the schools reopened on Monday.
The 10 suspects linked to the murders in Phoenix appeared in court on Monday, but the matter was postponed to Friday.
Pastor Chris Naidoo said: “Divided we fall, united we stand.”
Image source: @ECR_Newswatch
