Anatomy of Political Violence in South Africa

Abstract

Recent political killings in the Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) province of South Africa have necessitated the interrogation of the root causes of political violence in the country. While, arguably, power struggles and patronage are at the centre of some of the killings, these together also point directly to the ever-growing violent political culture in the country and particularly in the governing ANC party politics. As a solution, this essay suggests it is central to look at the historical and pedagogical presuppositions on which the political violence and killings in the country hinge. Building on extant literature, the essay utilizes both Fanon’s On Violence and the concept of political socialization to first argue the political violence in KZN is not surgically disjointed from the history of volatile politics consequent on the history of decolonization in the country. Secondly, focusing on KZN, the essay interrogates the culture of violence among the people and the ANC party members in particular, and suggests these are avenues in which political violence may have been learnt. Finally, utilizing Lederach’s “structure” in the integrated model of peacebuilding, the essay presents some recommendations for addressing the problem.

Keywords:

• Fanon, Frantz
• KwaZulu Natal (KZN)
• Lederach, John Paul
• political socialization
• political violence/killings
• South Africa

Notes

1 See Young (2005), who focuses on Fanon and liberation movements’ (including the ANC) use of armed struggle in Africa.

2 Formed on 16 December 1961 in the aftermath of the Sharpeville massacre and the subsequent banning of liberation organizations. For a detailed history, see SAHO (2011).

3 The ANC has borne the brunt of the killings, with many of its members killed and some of its members allegedly complicit in the killings. Limited scope does not allow the assessment of other parties like the IFP and NFP.