Observations of Border Environments and Reflections on South African Stratification and Riots

The presence of border patrol helicopters and floodlights creates a stark contrast between different worlds, highlighting the desperation of individuals striving to escape poverty and seek opportunities. This reflects a broader global trend of socioeconomic stratification, particularly evident in South Africa, where wealth disparities manifest within the same national boundaries, resulting in gated communities and an increasingly divided society. The phenomena of increasing wealth inequality and the ensuing riots in South Africa underscore the political complexities behind such unrest, suggesting that factors such as former president Jacob Zuma's influence and internal divisions within the ANC contribute to the chaos, rather than the situation being purely a response to economic conditions.