18 December 2024 | 13:45 CAT
3-minute read

As the year draws to a close, we reflect on pivotal moments that defined South Africa in 2024.

George building collapse

In May this year, a building collapsed in George, claiming the lives of 34 people. Rescue operations spanned ten days, with one survivor enduring five days under rubble before being saved. The investigation into this tragedy has been marked by a “conspiracy of silence,” with accredited engineers and architects avoiding accountability and provincial authorities displaying a lacklustre response.

KZN tornado and CT storms

KwaZulu-Natal bore the brunt of extreme weather, experiencing tornadoes in Tongaat and Newcastle in June. These storms caused extensive damage, leaving thousands homeless and over 10 people dead.

In July, Cape Town’s severe winds and rainfall displaced 15 000 residents, cut off towns, and disrupted electricity and schooling.

Meanwhile, September’s snowstorm at Van Reenen’s Pass trapped commuters for up to 48 hours in freezing conditions, with two fatalities from hypothermia. Muslim organisations like Al-Imdaad and Gift of the Givers provided critical relief.

Heightened focus on foreign citizens in SA

The Stilfontein mine crisis in November epitomised heavy-handed responses to informal mining activities. Police actions, including blocking shaft exits and cutting off essential supplies, were condemned as inhumane and eventually overturned by courts. This incident underscored the complexity of the zama-zama crisis, involving criminal networks, trafficking, and socioeconomic desperation, often oversimplified as merely an issue of illegal migration.

In another incident, the deaths of children across the country due to suspected food poisoning sparked a nationwide inspection of food safety. The government suspended sales at spaza shops, conducted 200 000 inspections, and issued a controversial 21-day registration deadline for shop owners. This sudden crackdown raised fears of stigmatisation and economic instability for the sector, highlighting the precarious position of foreign nationals within South Africa’s informal economy.

Muslim community news

The murder of Halima Hussein Preston in KwaZulu-Natal and the Durban North Masjid bombing attempt both revealed deep-seated issues of Islamophobia and community safety. Despite evidence of targeted attacks, investigations have stalled, leaving communities grappling with unanswered questions and heightened concerns about security.

Amid the challenges, there were moments of resolution. South African Hujjaj received R14.5 million in compensation for poor Hajj service delivery, reflecting accountability in religious service management.

Radio Islam coverage

Our team was consistently on the ground, reporting on pressing community issues such as land grabs, home handovers, and ongoing service delivery challenges, particularly in areas like Lenasia. This region continued to see periodic protests, as the community voiced frustrations with local governance.

The appointment of Yakoob Karolia as Lenasia’s Ward9 councillor succeeding Imraan Moosa, was a notable shift in local leadership, with Al-Jamaa retaining influence in the area.

A significant focus of our coverage was the electoral landscape, both national and local. Radio Islam hosted several debates, ensuring the community had access to critical discussions as South Africa navigated its political changes.

Service delivery challenges, particularly in water and electricity, remained recurring issues in Gauteng, with regular outages affecting communities across the province. Cable theft also emerged as a pressing concern, contributing to the ongoing infrastructure crises.

In addition to local reporting, Radio Islam had the privilege of covering several groundbreaking events, including the Muslim Tech Conference, the IMA convention in Cape Town, and the Global Conference of the Alliance of Muslim Schools in Malaysia.

Listen to the full feature on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Habib Bobat.