“The riots stands as a warning about what happens when mistrust and manipulation divide communities”

EXPERTS have reflected on the legacy of the 1985 Inanda riots, highlighting the need for social cohesion, education, and community support to heal historical wounds and prevent future divisions.

Zakhele Ndlovu, a political analyst, said there had not been sufficient or thorough investigations into the riots and that more should have been done to promote social cohesion over the years.

“Like the 2021 riots, the masterminds of the 1985 riots were never identified or successfully prosecuted. It is important that victims find closure and this can only happen when the culprits and perpetrators of the riots are punished.              

“All the victims of violence need support. However, there are too many victims of violence in South Africa. It becomes a tall order to decide who the government should prioritise and what kind of support is provided,” he added.

Ndlovu said the problem was that leaders were quick to point fingers but reluctant to introspect and take responsibility.

“Nothing was done to promote social cohesion after the 1985 riots. In South Africa, we talk about social cohesion but the question is, how do we actually promote it? 

“What programmes are needed for social cohesion to materialise? More should have been done with regard to promoting social cohesion in the Inanda area and broadly, across South Africa. 

“We still get some South Africans who stereotype race groups. One of the biggest problems was that too many people were quick to point fingers at others but were reluctant to introspect and take responsibility for their lives,” he said.

“Education can play a huge role in this regard but our government has not prioritised good education. Instead it is obsessed with quantity and not quality. It is sad that young Durbanites know nothing about the 1985 riots. A day of remembrance will serve to educate people about the riots and what division can lead to,” added Ndlovu.

Dr Rajendra Govender, a social cohesion advocate and commissioner at the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic (CRL) Commission, said while there had been inquiries and historical accounts, many still felt that justice and healing remained incomplete. 

“As we observe the 40th anniversary of the Inanda riots of 1985, we are reminded of a deeply painful chapter in our history. The riots tore through communities, left many families devastated, and exposed the deep divisions that were fuelled by apartheid-era politics. This does not mean reopening old wounds but rather ensuring that history is remembered in a way that brings us closer together as a nation,” he added.

Govender said it was clear that the trauma did not simply vanish with time. 

“Survivors and their descendants still live with the effects of those events. Providing psychosocial support, counselling, and opportunities for dialogue are not just acts of compassion. They are essential for building resilience and breaking the cycle of pain across generations. Acknowledging the past honestly, while creating spaces for healing, is a necessary step towards reconciliation.

“The idea of formal recognition, whether through a memorial, a museum, or an annual day of remembrance, is one that carries great value. Such gestures are not about dwelling on the past but about ensuring that future generations understand the dangers of division and the importance of unity. Remembering our past collectively strengthens our resolve to never allow such events to be repeated,” he said.

True social cohesion, Govender added, was not achieved by “words alone”. 

He said Inanda, like many parts of South Africa, had seen the efforts of civil society, faith-based institutions, and community organisations that had worked hard to bring people together. 

“In schools, in places of worship, and through grassroots initiatives, important strides have been made in promoting dialogue, tolerance, and peace. But we must also be honest. More could have been done, and more must still be done to foster deeper reconciliation and shared community development.

“It requires practical actions that bring people together in everyday life. We need programmes that encourage collaboration across cultural, racial, and religious divides. Sport, the arts, youth leadership initiatives, and joint community development projects are powerful vehicles to achieve this. Importantly, our young people must be at the centre of these efforts, as they are the custodians of the future. He said the Inanda riots stood as a warning about what happens when mistrust and manipulation divides communities. 

“But they also present us with an opportunity to recommit to the values of empathy, dialogue, and mutual respect. If we embrace these values, we can transform painful memories into a foundation for nation-building.

“South Africa’s journey has always been one of resilience. By acknowledging our past, extending compassion to those still carrying its burdens, and working together in practical ways, we can ensure that our future is defined not by conflict, but by harmony, unity, and shared belonging.

“I do not believe that there is a need for a commission of inquiry to open old wounds but acts of reconciliation and social cohesion are needed as a healing process, even though it's a 40 year old issue. 

“We want communities to exist in peaceful co-existence notwithstanding the issues of race, colour, creed, religion, language, cultural or economic status as such. 

Let us rather have a prayer or cleansing ceremony to heal all of our communities as we strive to build a non-racial, non-sexist, free and democratic society,” added Govender.

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