SA is a nation at war with itself. On Sunday July 10, we once again awoke to news of another national tragedy when reports surfaced that more than 20 people lost their lives in mass shootings at taverns across the country. This came only days after we memorialised the deaths of 21 teenagers killed at the Enyobeni tavern and as we reflect on the one-year mark of the July riots.

Ours is a country on the brink of collapse. People are traumatised by the burdens of rising unemployment and untenably high rates of inequality. We are succumbing to malnutrition and experiencing rolling blackouts. We are overcome with despair and turn against each other in response to our distress...