Intro
In this episode of “The Daily,” the deadliest residential fire in South African history is examined, shedding light on the decay and dysfunction in Johannesburg, once a symbol of hope for post-apartheid South Africa. The breakdown of the city raises questions about the state of the rest of the country and the lack of accountability and leadership. The tragic fire in a hijacked building exposes the exploitation of Johannesburg’s working poor and the failures within the city and country. Despite the political struggles and neglect, the tragedy has brought South Africans and immigrant communities together to support each other.
Main Takeaways
The Decay of Johannesburg
- A fire in Johannesburg is the deadliest residential fire in South African history, with 77 people confirmed dead.
- Johannesburg has been experiencing a series of disasters and is slowly decaying.
- Johannesburg was once a symbol of hope for post-apartheid South Africa.
- The city’s breakdown raises questions about chaos and dysfunction in Africa’s richest city.
- The economic capital of the most prosperous part of the country is struggling, which begs the question of what the rest of the country looks like.
The Downfall of Johannesburg
- Johannesburg was once the crown jewel of what South Africa could be, a multicultural, diverse, economic powerhouse that drew people from everywhere.
- The 2010 FIFA World Cup brought a sense of optimism and excitement, with stadiums and hotels being built.
- However, after the World Cup, things began to fall apart, with rising unemployment, an economic crisis, and corruption scandals within the African National Congress (ANC) party.
- Rolling blackouts became worse and worse, and by 2019, there was a backlash against the ANC, resulting in political chaos and six mayors in the last two years alone.
- The instability has led to a lack of accountability and confusion about who to call for help when services aren’t working.
The Problem of Hijacked Buildings
- Copper cables are being stolen and sold off as scrap metal, leading to electricity outages in neighborhoods for up to a week.
- Johannesburg has a problem with hijacked buildings, where criminals take over vulnerable buildings and collect rent without any oversight or maintenance.
- Hijacked buildings often lack basic necessities like running water, electricity, and trash collection, and can be dangerous for both residents and passersby.
- The hijacking of buildings exploits Johannesburg’s working poor who struggle to afford housing.
- Estimates suggest there could be up to 600 hijacked buildings in Johannesburg, including empty lots and houses.
The Tragic Fire in a Hijacked Building
- Journalist, Shuao, describes the hijacked building as dark and unsafe with exposed wires and doors hanging off the hinges.
- Survivors of the fire in the hijacked building describe living conditions as hellish with gunshots, no running water or toilets, and using buckets to relieve themselves.
- The building was a fire hazard and survivors knew it was life-threatening to live there.
- Survivors felt a sense of foreboding before the fire and prayed for safety.
- Survivors heard screaming and banging on doors, and realized there was a fire in the building.
- Many people were too afraid to use the stairs and jumped out of the third floor.
- One survivor had to make the choice to save herself or try to save a man trapped behind a locked door.
- The survivor’s daughter is her main priority, and she wants to move on from the memory of the fire.
Failures and Lack of Accountability
- The building represents a series of failures within the city and country, and no one person will be held accountable.
- Inspections from 2017 showed that the building was in an emergency situation and needed attention, but it is unclear what was done about it.
- Residents reported calling the police multiple times for help, but nothing was done to address the issues.
- City officials blamed each other during press conferences, but when asked about the last inspection, one official said it was in 2019 due to the hostile living environment.
- Johannesburg was once a symbol of hope and optimism, but now represents disappointment and a leaderless city.
Unity in the Face of Tragedy
- Despite political struggles and neglect, the tragedy has brought South Africans and immigrant communities together to help each other.
Summary
The Decay of Johannesburg
Johannesburg, once a symbol of hope for post-apartheid South Africa, is experiencing a series of disasters and decay. The city’s breakdown raises questions about chaos and dysfunction in Africa’s richest city and the state of the rest of the country. Despite being the economic capital of the most prosperous part of South Africa, Johannesburg is struggling, leading to a lack of accountability and confusion about who to call for help when services aren’t working.
The Problem of Hijacked Buildings
Johannesburg has a problem with hijacked buildings, where criminals take over vulnerable buildings and exploit the working poor who struggle to afford housing. These hijacked buildings lack basic necessities and pose dangers to residents and passersby. Estimates suggest there could be up to 600 hijacked buildings in Johannesburg, highlighting the extent of the issue.
The Tragic Fire in a Hijacked Building
A fire in a hijacked building in Johannesburg resulted in the deadliest residential fire in South African history. Survivors describe living conditions as hellish, with gunshots, lack of running water and toilets, and unsafe living conditions. The building was a known fire hazard, and survivors felt a sense of foreboding before the fire. Many people were forced to jump from the building to escape the flames.
Failures and Lack of Accountability
The tragic fire in the hijacked building exposes a series of failures within the city and country. Inspections showed that the building was in an emergency situation, but no action was taken. Residents reported calling the police for help, but their pleas were ignored. City officials blamed each other, highlighting the lack of accountability and leadership in Johannesburg.
Unity in the Face of Tragedy
Despite the political struggles and neglect, the tragedy has brought South Africans and immigrant communities together to support each other. In the face of adversity, people have come together to provide aid and assistance, showing resilience and unity.
Conclusion
The tragic fire in a hijacked building in Johannesburg highlights the decay and dysfunction of the city, once a symbol of hope for post-apartheid South Africa. The lack of accountability and leadership within the city and country raises concerns about the state of the rest of South Africa. However, amidst the struggles, the tragedy has brought people together, demonstrating resilience and unity in the face of adversity.
