All hell broke loose in South Africa in the past couple of weeks.
The so-called xenophobic attacks took centre stage and we watched people get attacked, displaced from their homes and some even killed.
I visited one of the areas affected by this in Joburg and I was overwhelmed by the sight of grown men crying and their children hopelessly clinging to their mothers’ backs.
For some time, I drove along Jules Street, between Malvern and some parts of Jeppestown.
My heart sank when I saw a family of four running around to save their belongings which, by the way, they worked so bloody hard for, while trying to run from the mob that was approaching them and their two small children. Right there, I broke down. I wept.
While interviewing shop owners whose businesses were broken into and looted, I was called, by my fellow South Africans, a snitch and a bitch who thinks she knows better.
As I was driving off, stones were thrown at my car, damaging only the bumper, thankfully.
What I saw that day was not xenophobia.
I looked deep into the man’s eyes and saw hatred.
What I saw on that day was intolerance based on the fact that I did not speak isiZulu.
I am a Shangaan (Tsonga) woman who proudly and fluently speaks 11 of the official languages in South Africa.
That morning, because some of the people I was interviewing are Mozambican, I spoke Tsonga and the group of men, speaking among themselves a few metres from where I was, said asi funi amashangane la, loosely translated to “we don’t want Shangaan speaking people here”.
And just like that, tribalism showed its ugly head amid what was said to be the fight against foreign nationals who allegedly take people’s jobs and their shack spaces.
When the men, who are said to be from a nearby hostel, broke into shops belonging to anyone who is not Zulu-speaking, their women ran in and looted mealie meal, clothes and other groceries. And you, my people, still call that xenophobia?
On the flip side, I do believe the influx of foreigners flocking onto our shores is too high. Our boarders are relaxed and bribery gets you in at any time. Government needs to take responsibility. They can no longer sit in air-conditioned offices and blame the attacks on pure criminality. If politicians can conduct door-to-door campaigns during election time, then surely they can roll up the sleeves of their designer shirts and speak to the people on the ground? But that’s just a thought and wishful thinking.
Can I just say, though, that I take my hat off to residents of Bedfordview for heeding the call for help at the Primrose refugee camp. It was amazing to see you all out of your high walls and getting down to help someone in need. To you, I say power. And to those community members, especially Tembisans, who did not jump on the bandwagon, I commend you for not letting the wave of violence run away with you.
@Duenna_M
