Focus on Africa South Africa building fire: What happened to survivors?
Sep 1, 2025
Mayeni Jones, a BBC correspondent in Johannesburg, and Paul Williams, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Reading, dive deep into the aftermath of a tragic building fire in Johannesburg. They discuss the ongoing struggles faced by survivors, highlighting the urgent need for improved housing conditions. The duo also explores how climate change is increasing flight turbulence, raising questions about air travel safety. Additionally, they compare divorce laws in Uganda and South Africa, debating the implications of no-fault vs. fault-based divorces.
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G20 Deadline Won't Solve Long-Term Housing Gaps
- Officials pledged inner-city housing reforms ahead of the G20, but experts say structural problems predate the summit and need much longer to fix.
- The task team exists, yet significant cleanup and rehousing are unlikely before the event.
How Apartheid Legacy Fuels Inner-City Housing Crisis
- Abandoned, hijacked buildings stem from apartheid-era segregation and post-apartheid capital flight, leaving many structures overtaken by the poor.
- Criminal syndicates and blocked exits turn these buildings into dangerous, entrenched problems authorities struggle to clear.
Uganda Keeps Fault-Based Divorce For Now
- Uganda retains a fault-based divorce system, citing due process and preventing rash breakups despite calls for no-fault reform.
- Advocates argue fault requirements exacerbate conflict and emotional distress for families and children.