Property, Race and Politics in South Africa
The property sector in South Africa is often criticized for only being accessible “to the privileged”. This privileged minority is often referred to as the white population of South Africa. Despite the fact that there are many black and colored property buyers, statistics show that in actual fact most high-end property, is purchased by foreigners abroad. So why are there accusations of racial undertones, when it comes to property in South Africa?
This is what happened when Penny Sparrow, a property agent from Jawitz properties stated on facebook on Saturday 2nd January, “These monkeys that are allowed to be released on New Years Eve and New years day on public beaches towns etc obviously have no education what so ever so to allow them loose is inviting huge dirt troubles and discomfort to other. I am sorry to say I was amongst the revelers and all I saw were black on black skins what a shame”.
Sparrow then continued to say, “From now I shall address the blacks of South Africa as monkeys as I see the cute little wild monkeys”.
The blatant racism of Sparrow went viral on facebook, where many black people expressed their dismay and offence. On her facebook, she accompanied the post with a photo saying “Find Sipho” with a photo of crowded beach of black individuals. One can only wonder where her dismally prehistoric sense of racism comes from. Does she not realize that the beaches of Brazil, UK and China also get packed to capacity, except with the lighter skin inhabitants of their majority population?
The issue with racism is that it begins to reflect on the entire sector. The property sector in South Africa already deals with the perception of racism because most property owners in wealthy areas are white (although we do see this slowly changing with foreign buyers, especially wealthy Africans). Property is inherently the symbol of the home and family. So what does it say about South Africa as the greater home and our family as society, when people display racist attitudes towards others, simply for existing?
Understandably, Jawitz did respond to Sparrows racist diatribe within 24 hours, by stating that she “had been fired on November 2nd”, yet how could that be categorically accurate when she still had property on the market yesterday? Yet despite the fact that Jawitz have distanced themselves from Sparrow and mentioned that they will be taking action accordingly, her half-baked, insincere apology was rejected by thousands.
How will Jawitz position itself compared to other property companies such as Cape24, which boasts of being “non racial and all-inclusive with a diverse cliental”, as stated by Company Director Errol Areington.
Is it appropriate for individuals such as Sparrow to express such antipathy, when the property sector lies on fragile ground, due to South Africa’s political history? To try and divorce property from South Africa’s history of apartheid is nearly impossible. Most people are vaguely aware that before the horrific time of apartheid, people of all races lived together without forceful racial restrictions.
A huge misperception exists, in which people think black and colored people “chose” to live in townships. However, it was never a choice. Apartheid bought upon forced removals, which separated family members due to the tone and color of their skin.
This is factually recorded and when you delve into the rich history of District six, which existed as a utopia of what a peaceful and thriving community would look like before the community and families were ripped apart by racial segregation and forced removals. What proceeded with apartheid was that family members were sent to different locations in the Western Cape. If you were dark then you were sent Khayelitsha, if you were lighter then Athlone or Philippi. Colonialists purposefully sent people to areas were the soil was infertile, such as Nyanga and Lavender hill, which meant that people couldn’t farm.
To this day, the soil in those areas remains of the most infertile to produce crops or to hold a steady foundation for a home. Apartheid had broken the spirit of the perfectly harmonious community of District Six. A peaceful society starts with a peaceful community and home.
Therefore the question of a home is not just a brick house, but it is our psychological understanding of home and what that means to each individual. As Mother Theresa once said, “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family”.
So the truth remains, that, that legacy still exists. The stories of apartheid get passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, housing remains as one of the most sensitive issues in South African society. The ANC has provided more than 2.68 million houses for South Africans.
A phenomenal contribution to society, yet in the industry of buying and selling property, racism is still prevalent and because of that it’s up to each property company and individual to ensure that an attitude of embracing cultural diversity is encouraged.
With that I leave you with this poem:
I am the basis of all wealth,
The heritage of the wise, the thrifty and prudent.
I am the poor person’s joy and comfort, the rich person’s prize, the right hand of capital, the silent partner of thousands of successful people.
I am the solace of the widow, the comfort of old age, the cornerstone of security against misfortune and want.
I am handed down through generations, as a possession of great value.
I am the choicest fruit of labor, the safest collateral and yet I am humble.
I stand before every person bidding them to know me for what I am and asking them to possess me.
I am quietly growing in value through countless days. Though, I might seem dormant, my worth increases, never failing, never ceasing.
Time is my aid and the ever increasing population adds to my gain.
I defy fire and the elements, for they cannot destroy me.
My possessors learn to believe in me and invariable they become envied by those that have passed me by.
While all other things wither and decay, I alone survive.
The centuries find me younger, always increasing in strength.
All oil and minerals come from me.
I am the producer of food, building materials and the home to every living thing.
I serve as the foundation for homes, factories, banks and stores.
I have not been produced for millions of years, yet, I am so common that thousands, unthinking and unknowingly, pass me by.
I am land.
- Anonymous.
