Gqeberha’s third deadly blow: Deindustrialisation knocking on the door again?

Daily MaverickIndependentProgressive5 hr. ago

This reflective piece recounts the historical decline of Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), South Africa, focusing on deindustrialization and its impact on the city's economy and residents. The author recalls the closure of major industries like Ford and Volkswagen in the 1980s, which led to widespread unemployment and social hardship. They describe the personal toll of prolonged unemployment on their father, highlighting the loss of dignity and stability. While the city experienced a brief recovery during the democratic transition, a second wave of economic challenges emerged with trade liberalization, affecting the author's mother. The article warns of a potential third crisis, drawing parallels between past and present struggles with deindustrialization, suggesting that the city may once again face severe economic decline.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames deindustrialization as a systemic issue rooted in historical policies and economic structures, emphasizing the human cost of structural shifts. It critiques the lack of sustained investment and support for local industries, implying a failure of both state and market systems. The憂