Coffee House Conversations: Historians on the Current Moment

Abstract

Widespread civil unrest erupted in South Africa, in the provinces of KwaZuluNatal and Gauteng, between 9 and 18 July 2021. It appeared to ensue from the incarceration of former President Jacob Zuma. Zuma was found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to 15 months, after his failure to testify at the Zondo Commission inquiry into state corruption that occurred during his term as president. The unrest involved public violence, arson and unprecedented levels of looting. These acts were initially described as ‘protests’ by Zuma supporters, but can be understood in the larger context of desperately high unemployment and inequality, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the army was called in to quell the violence and plundering. Approximately R10 billion was lost in plundered consumer goods, and vehicles and property destroyed by arson. Over 3000 people were arrested, and it is estimated that 342 people were killed during the crisis. The South African Historical Journal put together a panel to gain a deeper perspective on these events in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng – exploring them from an historical perspective. As we noted in an earlier article in this journal, historians should not be chastened by