Cry the beloved country; South Africa, our land!

The title of Alan Paton’s 1948 novel, Cry the beloved country, resonates with South Africa and all true South Africans today. It is difficult, if not impossible, to hold back our tears of desperation and sadness, and our cries of anger and frustration, as our country burns. Yes, our beautiful country has walked a tough path over the years; but events unfolding around Durban, Johannesburg and other parts of the country since Sunday must qualify as a new low. The team at FAnews has been deeply moved by the graphic footage, sound clips and phone calls from our loved ones, readers and the media, and would like to extend words of comfort and courage to each of you.

Terrifying times

Hundreds of ordinary, law abiding citizens have spent the last couple of nights hunkered down in their houses, often listening to the sounds of unrest just meters away… One example, the concerned voice note we received from an Insurance Apprentice (TIA) participant, who lives just blocks away from a mall in Soweto. His Monday night was filled with the pop of live rounds and smoke grenades. His Tuesday morning, like that of many other readers, will be spent figuring out where to go for basic goods like bread and milk and possibly petrol. This is a terrible state of affairs and we can only hope that government ramps up the deployment of the SADF more meaningfully. It was so sad to hear learn that we mobilised a mere 2 500 troops for this mayhem compared to the 75 000 to enforce lockdown. 

Every South African will carry the burden of this unchecked looting for months to come. Friends in Durban are already struggling to find basic foods while a trip to their local mall confirms that supply chain disruption is about to become a serious challenge. Over a couple of days we have plummeted from being one of the best-resourced countries in Africa, to one where everyone will struggle to meet the two foundation levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Basic physiological needs like clothing, food, water and sleep are poor bedfellows for anarchy, with supply pinches inevitable as distribution centres, factories and malls are burned to the ground or shut down. And safety needs, already shaky domestically, have been rendered virtually obsolete by the baying, lunatic mob. 

Our heartfelt words of comfort and support

As a publication focused on the insurance and investment industries we are extremely close to the economic and emotional fallout that comes with catastrophe… and this unbridled looting must surely qualify as the most catastrophic event many of us have ever experienced. Sasria, a valued partner of our publication, will soon face record damages claims which we believe will run into billions, if not trillions, of rand. We would imagine that the burning and looting of a fully-stocked distribution centre would run more than R100 millions on its own, not to mention the theft of high value electronic and household appliances at many other facilities. Our thoughts go to the staff at Sasria, who will soon face an administrative nightmare and a claims case burden that will undo many years of careful management of capital reserves. 

We are also thinking about the many non-life insurance brokers who will once again be at the frontline of an insurance claims Armageddon. After more than BREAK days fighting with insurers to get their clients contingent business interruption claims paid, they will now have to step in to assist the same clients with the Sasria claims process. Most commercial and personal lines policies include Sasria cover for loss or damage to insured property as a direct result of civil unrest, including rioting, strike action and public disorder. Some good news amidst the madness is that Sasria managing director, Cedric Masondo, has indicated that civil commotion will trigger a Sasria pay-out. He also said that the institution was adequately capitalised to meet the challenge and that small value claims would be fast-tracked, subject to the common sense checks such as proof of ownership of goods. It is such a pity that this lawlessness will force the State-owned insurer to burn through its reserves. 

Stay strong, we are thinking of you

And finally, we extend our heartfelt support and sympathy to each and every reader and fellow South African. Please, feel free to leave a similar message of encouragement in the comments section below. What happens next? Well, South Africans are a tough lot and we know how to bounce back after adversity. We will meet the challenges of food and fuel shortages head on, even as we continue to endure the emotional and physical drain of lockdown and pandemic. And we will build back better, as another of our insurance partners has often encouraged… For the longer term, we are going to have to do some serious thinking. 

Writer’s thoughts:
 I am not sure about you, dear reader, but I am finding it increasingly tough to keep a positive outlook on the country I love and call home. I am sure you feel the same… But, today, all I ask is that you leave a short message of support for your fellow South Africans. We can deal with the blame, the shame and the potential solutions on another day. Please comment below, interact with us on Twitter at @fanews_online or email us your thoughts [email protected].

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