The Intelligence from The Economist Loot cause: South Africa’s unrest
Jul 15, 2021
John McDermott, Chief Africa correspondent for The Economist based in Johannesburg, discusses the recent unrest in South Africa sparked by the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma. He delves into the ethnic divisions and societal challenges, including corruption and economic inequality. The conversation also touches on COVID-19 booster shots, debating their necessity amid vaccine disparities globally. Additionally, the decline of Major League Baseball's popularity among younger fans is examined, along with innovative strategies to revitalize the sport.
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South Africa Unrest
- South Africa is experiencing its worst violence since apartheid, with widespread looting and attacks.
- Businesses have been burned, infrastructure destroyed, and at least 72 people killed.
Zuma's Arrest and Unrest
- The unrest began after former President Jacob Zuma's imprisonment for refusing to testify in a corruption inquiry.
- This exposed deep political, ethnic, and economic divisions, particularly within the ruling ANC party.
Zuma Supporters
- Zuma's supporters, some with vested interests in his corrupt regime, aim to destabilize Ramaphosa's government.
- However, the violence isn't solely a political uprising, as underlying socioeconomic issues fuel the unrest.