In 2016, a team of HSRC researchers visited Vuwani in the Limpopo Province of South Africa shortly after dozens of schools were burned down during violent demarcation protests. In 2024, the researchers returned to conduct a follow-up study as part of an HSRC-commissioned project celebrating 30 years of democracy in South Africa.

Eight years after the 2016 riots, the Vuwani community has shown remarkable resilience and transformation. There is an urgent and crucial need to prioritise funding for the reconstruction and refurbishment of the remaining schools destroyed in the protests. This will ensure every student can access a safe and conducive learning environment. The collective effort to restore the schools brought back the physical infrastructure, provided hope, and strengthened community bonds. However, the underlying dynamics are clear, and the socio-economic situation suggests a mixed outlook for Vuwani’s future.

The webinar reflects on the study’s highlights, mostly focused on the socio-economic dynamics. It is a story of a community that refused to be defeated, has been rebuilding and restoring what had been lost, and about the new challenges they face.

The HSRC cordially invites you to join our webinar on Vuwani’s socio-economic dynamics on 24 March 2025 on the Zoom platform.

The schools in Vuwani were set on fire nine years ago and now, following Human Rights Day, it is an opportune moment to assess and provide feedback on the current socioeconomic conditions.

Date: Monday, 24 March 2025

Time:  10:00 to 12:00

Venue: HSRC Zoom platform

Register to attend: Please click here to register

Contact: For more information, please contact Prof Charles Hongoro at CHongoro@hsrc.ac.za