Socio-economic factors as causes and remedies for conflict of the San  community in Platfontein

H G Beyene

doi:10.4102/td.v10i4.91

Abstract

The study examines the role of socio-economic factors in conflict in the San community of Platfontein. This article’s analysis is based on the primary data collected from individual interviews and focused group discussions conducted in 2013 and 2014. It reveals that socioeconomic factors are both the cause of the conflict and serve as remedies for the conflict. The causes date back to the historical displacement and dispossession of land the community faced. The San community is highly dependent on the limited income of a few veterans while the vast majority is unemployed. The lack of skills and limited command of the dominant language in the community makes them less able to compete for jobs. The community’s economic hardships are increased by the dependency syndrome shown by the adults, who tend towards job-seeking rather than job creation and self-reliance. The economic hardship has become one formidable cause of conflict in the community. A concerted effort is needed to change the attitude of the community so that it becomes entrepreneurial and independent.One factor that erodes unity within the San community is that the leadership does not work closely with the people – a situation that increases the likelihood of conflict. The efforts undertaken to empower the San community and lift them out of poverty are very limited. The conflict between !Xun and Khwe is attributed to the divisive political rule adopted during the apartheid regime in South Africa. Comparative economic asymmetries between !Xun and Khwe are also causes of conflict. Furthermore, the widening of social distance, along with competition for jobs and housing, increases the tensions and divisions between the !Xun and Khwe communities. The cause of conflict between the San community and other communities is also associated with unemployment and unfair treatment. Socio-economic factors are valuable ingredients in the process of conflict resolution and healing the emotional problems of the conflicting parties.

Highlights

The issue of conflict resolution is as old as the history of mankind
Of the two peoples of the San community that moved to South Africa, the Khwe come from Botswana and the !Xun are mainly from Angola (Swart 2014)
The study is intended to examine the socioeconomic factors that serve as a cause as well as a solution for the conflicts that arise in the San community

Summary

Introduction

The issue of conflict resolution is as old as the history of mankind. It has been defined in different ways, based on different perspectives by various scholars. The !Xun and Khwe, who were on the side of the Portuguese in Angola and Namibia, fought against apartheid and later fled to South Africa along with South African Defence Force (SADF) (Robins 2001). Of the two peoples of the San community that moved to South Africa, the Khwe come from Botswana and the !Xun are mainly from Angola (Swart 2014). When they arrived in South Africa they lived in tents at the military camp based in Schmidtsdrift, close to Kimberley, for about 10 years until they were eventually relocated to a permanent settlement area where housing and other facilities were provided (Robins 2001). Collier (2006) points out that the communities in Platfontein are post-conflict, exposed to higher risks that polarise grievances even more than before

Methodology

Literature review

Findings

Conclusion