Two sides of a story and homeowners stuck in the middle of an urban slum

Life is shaped by cause and effect. Apartheid was a devastating event in South Africa’s history, and its ripple effects are still felt today. Whether you choose to acknowledge that or not is your own prerogative.

The black, coloured & Indian majority, in particular, continues to bear the weight of those effects. While many have been fortunate enough to benefit from the end of apartheid, even more still live in the shadow of that past. Not only the poor, but even first generation wealth. Some in government, for instance, have risen to positions of power but still grapple with a mindset rooted in struggle and scarcity. This often leads to the misuse of the resources and power they’ve gained, as they equate their self-worth with these things.

However, does this make corruption, greed, and the abuse of power justifiable? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Is it a clear case of cause and effect—yes, but it doesn’t excuse their behavior.

Our government has allowed issues like rampant homelessness and unchecked squatter camps to spread throughout the country. Among these populations, you’ll find illegal immigrants, drug addicts, and criminals, who often pose serious risks to the safety and security of the surrounding communities. We see it in our own. These people are in need, and their struggles are real. But again, while there are understandable reasons behind their circumstances, it doesn’t justify criminal activity or endangering others.

The root of many of these issues lies in bad governance, and yes, that needs to be addressed. However, change at that level takes time, unfortunately, so in the meantime, focusing on smaller, more immediate problems—like relocating the homeless or eradicating squatter camps—is a necessary step toward restoring order. Addressing these problems doesn’t mean we are disregarding the struggles of those affected, but acknowledging their struggles also doesn’t mean we should ignore the rights of more fortunate people.

When people pay to live in a suburb, they do so with the expectation of safety, cleanliness, and order. Having informal settlements or homeless camps spring up in these areas infringes upon our rights to a decent standard of living. It affects property values, creates health and safety risks, and fundamentally changes the character of the neighborhood. Those living in the suburbs have the right to live in a place that reflects the standards they paid for, and allowing squatter camps or unsafe settlements to flourish in these areas is a violation of that right.T

ackling these issues doesn’t mean ignoring the root causes of poverty or homelessness, but it’s not unreasonable to expect that these problems be managed in a way that respects everyone’s rights. There’s a balance that needs to be struck, and both sides of the issue deserve thoughtful consideration.