Graca Machel’s observation that there is "increasing institutionalisation of violence" in South Africa  ought to send the leaders of the rainbow nation back to the drawing table, before the country plunges into anarchy.

It is just a few years back that South African nationals rose up against their fellow Africans claiming that the latter were receiving preferential economic treatment.  The wound caused by the killing of 34 striking miners at Marikana is yet to heal. Incidents of violence against women and children and  the recent deaths of Anene Booysen and Reeva Steenkamp, further assert the violence that is pervading the nation.

There is no doubt that South Africa is Africa’s economic powerhouse. However, the rainbow nation ought to address the issue of who is controlling the economy and where the benefits are going. With the astronomic economic inequality prevailing in the country and the absence of an environment that will trigger most South Africans to create wealth,  stress and violence are  bound to skyrocket.

Africa congratulates South Africa for playing host to the BRICS summit due to take place in Durban, South Africa, on March 26-27. While this increases the country’s profile,  this profile ought to translate to tangible benefits to  the majority of the people of South Africa.