The poverty caused by Mugabe in Zimbabwe is pushing people further south into South Africa where they are being attacked, at least 22 have died in the vigilante raids.
What is surprising is that these attacks have been called xenophobic in nature. This in a country that only recently emerged from apartheid. Are these refugees the cause of the economic problems that are seen in South Africa today? This certainly doesn’t seem the country that welcomed such historic figures like Nelson Mandala into her bosom.
The front page news shows a man being burned alive. Many rapes have been reported and, what is called, opportunistic crimes – such as looting. The police so overwhelmed with the rioting have had to call in reservists from the local area as well as some from neighbouring areas. Is this the South Africa that had calmed itself with the presidency of Mandala? When you look at the pictures it seems not.
“We’re not talking about xenophobia, we’re talking about criminality,” said police spokesman Govindsamy Mariemuthoo.
He said police reservists and officers from other regions had been called in to help quell the violence, reports the AP news agency.
A country as prosperous as South Africa should be a shining beacon to the other nations on the continent; but as we see the world over where wealth is apparent migrants will follow.
The poverty in Zimbabwe is sending those who feel real fear for their lives to a country that they felt would be safe. Yet is violence on this scale justified? From what all sides of the political spectrum in South Africa say, it is not.
The leader of the governing African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, has also condemned the attacks.
“We cannot allow South Africa to be famous for xenophobia,” he told a conference in Pretoria.
It certainly can’t. That would overturn all the work of the great and good. And South Africa knows that a world is watching.
To read more of what Will Rhodes writes you can take a look at his blog. The Will Rhodes Portmanteau.
5 users commented in " Xenophobia in S.A. "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackMY ON OPINION IS THAT SOUTH AFRICANS MUST CALM DOWN BY NOT BEATING OR BURNING FOREIGNERS BELONGIGS BECAUSE THAT THING IS ACTUALLY PLACING A BAD PICTURE TO OTHER COUNTRIES ABOUT SA AS WE ARE FACING TO 2010
hi am a tazanian in the university of dar es salaam.the best thing the natives should do is not to attack the immigrants since there are also some many south africans living outside S.A.SO the natives should give them competition for employment but not to chase them since that sound not logical.how many south africans are in tanzania?you people you dont have any idea how they exploite our gold and tanzanite.the S.A people should change since the world cup is soon in two years time and this my create fear to the fans if violence continue to dominate.thank you.
I am a project manager of a youth managed organization that cares for children infected and affected by hiv/aids.I do have refugees children at my center and there is no way l am gonna allow anyone to come and impose any xenophobic attacks on these children.I am prepared to risk my life for these children.The govt slow action is to blame.I also provide food and clothing to refugees in Primrose.Let us stop all these killings.These people are our fellow brothers and sisters too.Those who want to donate food and clothing can conatct me at 072 413 7883 or e-mail me at nethivaidsyouth@iburst.co.za
Whats ever it is called, it is just wrong…. people get so anal that they forget what the goal of what they intended to say or do was….
People are being humiliated, bottom line; something has to be done.
is it until those in power are directly affected?
This whole issue has an adverse effect on the economy and it has to be resolved “in toto”.
im we a zimbabwean it pains me 2 hear that we r reasons 4 these attacks.we are all loking for greener pastares. in zim they aren also foreigners they are nigerians and angolians
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