By Newsbreak Talk Producer and Presenter Taresh Harreeparshad -  KwaZulu-Natal is rising from the ashes. This is the message of Premier Sihle Zikalala as he took stock of the impact of the widespread civil unrest in July last year, as well as progress in rebuilding after the looting, arson and violence. It is estimated that the unrest cost the national economy 50-billion rand in damages to business as well as the disruption of the logistical artery between Durban and Johannesburg. More than 3-hundred and 50 people died - including 36 people who were killed in alleged racial attacks in Phoenix north of Durban.

We chat to the debate team from Mountview Secondary School at Verulam north of Durban. Mountview Secondary School's debate team and debate Convenor, Mrs M PILLAY, had the honour of being part of the Provincial Social cohesion programme. Mrs Pillay was appointed as Moderator and Programme Director of this prestigious event.A composite team comprising of learners from MVSS, VSS and Anton Lembede Academy was trained by Mrs Pillay for the topic, ‘This house believes that protest and civil unrest is detrimental to social cohesion’.

We spoke to the learners representing MVSS, Zahira Salod( Winning team), Zoey Govindsamy as well as Clemintine Mithe from Verulam Secondary School.