‘Healing event’ may send wrong message

“WE WANT to mourn for our brothers and sisters,” – that is the intention of an event being planned for December 16, which will be called Phoenix Massacre Day.

The event is being hosted by the Xubera Institute for Research and Development headed by political analyst Xolani Dube.

Earlier this week, a poster calling on “natives” to join a meeting on Thursday was circulated on various media platforms.

The meeting took place at the Gateway Hotel in umhlanga with a group of about 30 people, however, the Sunday Tribune was denied entry.

This reporter was told that the discussion was not for the media, however, Dube agreed to an interview after the meeting, where he and two others said it was about peace and harmony.

Dube said the event was being held on the Day of Reconciliation as it was the ideal public holiday.

The gathering would take place at the K-cap Theatre in Kwamashu.

He said a number of people died and nothing has been done to remember them.

“It is really inhumane of us to act like those who killed our brothers and sisters.

“We are planning to have a mourning and grieving session with the families who lost their loved ones,” he said.

“When we meet on the day, the people will decide which day is appropriate for cleansing.”

Dube, who was criticised on social media about the initiative, particularly on Twitter, said the intention was not to create racial conflict, but to give comfort and to honour those who lost their lives during the unrest.

Scelo Duma who was with Dube, agreed that the aim was to support those who have lost their loved ones.

“We are saying: let us make sure that we share the pain of those families and deal with it together by giving them support,” he said.

Duma said the event was not politically motivated.

Mondli Mkhize, who attended said the “16th December Phoenix Massacre Day” commemoration also said the event was not intended to cause conflict nor a racial division.

“With this movement, we are not trying to divide the unity that exists amongst South Africans, but we are saying in commemoration of the massacre, there are rituals that need to be performed that were never done.

“As African people, we have rituals where we go and collect the spirits of our people where they have perished.”

Mkhize said it would be a peaceful gathering, where they would be mourning and lighting of candles.

“We will be calling out our spirits and forefathers to say, this shall not happen again.

“We know there have been speculations that we want to peddle violence, which is not the case.

“This is a time where we want to say, let us give credit, recognition and try to heal the wounds of those who lost their relatives,” said Mkhize.

Bishop Rubin Phillip, deputy chairperson of the Moral Regeneration and Social Cohesion Council, which was set up following the unrest in July, said there was nothing wrong with the institute’s intention, however, he criticised the use of word “massacre” saying it conveyed a different message – one of bitterness and revenge.

“If such a commemoration were to be held, it would create a greater sense of separation and racial attention.

“It should not be addressed as a massacre as yet because the jury is still out on exactly what happened in Phoenix.

“The principle should aim at creating social cohesion, promoting trust and creating opportunities for people to come together.

“Whereas, the use of the word ‘massacre’ conveys an opposite message,” said Phillip.

He said the continuation of the institute’s anti-indian sentiments could also stir up hatred.

“The problem is that, it could lead to further hostility and a breakdown in relationships, and possibly even more violence,” said Phillip.