"We were not consulted": triggers of school arson in Vuwani

Abstract

In May 2016, widespread violent protests broke out in the Vuwani community in Limpopo. Twenty-seven schools were burned down or damaged. What drives a community to destroy infrastructure that is crucial for their children's future? HSRC researchers conducted an exploratory study to learn more. They heard that the community felt that they were not consulted about a municipal boundary re-determination, despite a Limpopo High Court finding otherwise. The HSRC's Prof Modimowabarwa Kanyane presented the findings at a recent seminar.