‘We are not a xenophobic nation’

Deputy Minister of Energy Thembi Majola visited the tented camp set up in front of the Primrose Police Station, for foreigners seeking refuge.

The Minister’s visit was part of a campaign recently launched by the South African government, against xenophobia.

“We feel it is important for government, politicians, businesses and civil society to come together and show that, as a nation, we are not xenophobic,” Majola said.

“If people could see the generosity shown here, with tents put up in a day to make sure people are secure, there is light and water, there is food and blankets.

“They would see, yes, we’ve had some very unfortunate criminal incidents, but this does not reflect who we are as a nation.”

Majola took time to walk through the camp, talking to the people displaced by the xenophobic attacks.

She took a moment to explain what living conditions are like in the tents.

“Inside the tents people have occupied different corners,” she said.

“They have a lot of food and clothes that have been donated.

“No one is despondent; obviously this is not a situation anyone would want to find themselves in.

“They want to get on with their lives, but they haven’t had any wants in the way of food or shelter.”

The Department of Home Affairs has also visited the site, in a bid to register the people stationed there.

“The problem the department encountered was that a lot of people were not at the camp, they had gone to work,” Majola said.

“People want to continue with a normal life, go to work or to school.”

Despite their circumstances, a lot of these people consider South Africa to be their home.

When speaking of the reception she received during her visit, Majola explained that the people had been very welcoming.

“People have reacted well; we believe this is because they came here looking for refuge and have received so much more,” she said.

“They have found people who accept them and are willing to go out of their way to help them feel comfortable.”

Majola thanked the volunteers who have given their time to the people displaced by xenophobia.

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