DURBAN – The Xubera Institute for Research and Development’s call for the national Day of Reconciliation (16 December) to be commemorated as ‘Phoenix Massacre Day’ has received mixed reaction.
The Institute on Tuesday tweeted that “a series of consultations regarding the #PhoenixMassacre concluded that henceforth the 16th of December is commemorated as the Phoenix Massacre Day”.
#XolaniDube had a series of consultations regarding the #PhoenixMassacre.
— Xubera Institute for Research and Development (@xuberaird) November 23, 2021
Consultations concluded that henceforth the 16th of December is commemorated as the Phoenix Massacre Day!
SA Natives in KZN are collectively owning the grief, pain and scars of the #PhoenixMassacre! pic.twitter.com/35H0QaM9RF
Whilst many social media users expressed their agreement, a Durban-based activist believes otherwise. Speaking to Salaamedia, activist Narendh Ganesh said he does not support the “racist celebration”.
Ganesh explained that the commemoration of 16 December as ‘Phoenix Massacre Day’ would deepen a narrative of racial tension between the Black African and Indian communities in South Africa.
He said the racial tension that simmered during the July 2021 unrest was being used to “excuse” criminal acts that occured elsewhere during the period of unrest.
Meanwhile, some Twitter users seemed to support the idea, one of them saying that “justice must prevail”.
Justice must prevail
— AdvdaliBatyi (@AdvdaliB) November 23, 2021
I am fully behind this.
— matome mashao (@Matoome) November 23, 2021
Julie Alli spoke to Narendh Ganesh, a community activist in Durban, on News & Views. Listen to the full discussion here:
