I write on behalf of the Egoli Heritage Foundation to comment on the action of a few demonstrators who, in what appears to be an act of desperation in the face of frustration at what is happening in the city, painted a number of structures deemed to be of cultural significance, bright pink.
We are saddened that the state of our democracy has led to such frustration and this in turn, to the destruction of a part of the nation’s heritage.
On the assumption that the bright pink paint has permanently defaced the buildings, this is vandalism hiding behind a façade of poetry in order to influence others. It is rhetoric if the attempt to influence is not honest and sincere. At least in one respect the protesters have not been honest:
We can find no signatures attached to the numerous documents associated with the protest that could identify the demonstrators. Is this because they knew they were virtually appropriating property that did not belong to them? Seen in that light this is also not honest.
There are many instances in history where people have, for a good reason, acted outside the law. This may justify their action. Therefore, before we condemn the protestors out of hand, there is a need to pause and guess why they acted as they did:
That they were reckless seems self-evident but why?
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