ACORNHOEK – Xenophobic attacks must stop with immediate effect and locals and foreign nationals must embrace one another because they need each other.
This was the stern call by the ANC’s chief whip, Mr Johan Mkhatshwa, over the weekend when he addressed an assembly which sought to appeal to local communities to engage the government on issues contained in the Freedom Charter.
Following the sporadic xenophobic attacks which had left foreign nationals across the country homeless and brutally beaten, many had expressed their disbelief.
“It is a disgrace that this country has become famous for the wrong reasons. Is this what the late Nelson Mandela and the likes of Oliver Tambo and all our struggle heroes fought for? Our struggle heroes sought refuge from foreign countries when things got tough during the days of apartheid, yet we cannot tolerate Somalians.
“Tanzania was one of the few stops Madiba made before he was arrested where he forgot his book. After his release, they brought back the book to South Africa, which shows how loyal the country and its citizens are to South Africa.”
He further elaborated on the youth being involved in illegal activities, including the looting of stores.
“The government’s priority lies in education, especially that of the young generation. We believe in young people that they too can make something out of themselves rather than filling prisons. I also would like to discourage parents from taking part in illegal protests where learning institutions are vandalised and children are kept away from school.
“The very same children you are depriving of the opportunity to be educated, are the ones who will change your lives. Let us not allow our children to bring stolen goods from people’s shops to our homes. How does it sit with you as a parent when your child brings groceries but is unemployed?
“Away with xenophobia! Only good values should be instilled for the youth to become better citizens of South Africa.
Victories will be scored by living together as one regardless of one being a foreigner, we are all one! I leave you with the following quote from Nelson Mandela: “Never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.”
Meanwhile Mpumalanga News journalist Nomvula Chawane reported that foreign nationals living in several local communities had told this publication that they were sleeping with one eye open since the Lebombo Border Post had been closed last Friday.
This was due to incidents in which South African trucks transporting goods to Mozambique were stoned and other vehicles were seen returning with broken windscreens after entering the neighbouring country.
“We fear for our lives because of the xenophobic attacks that started in Durban last week and now they are spreading to this side. This is worrying,” said a truck driver, Mr Elias Mathonsi, who had camped outside the border with other drivers.
Police at the Lebombo border confirmed that the situation was tense in other parts of Mozambique with South Africans being threatened to be driven out. “We can confirm that a number of vehicles and trucks came back with broken windscreens and drivers saying they had no choice but to turn back, fearing for their lives.”
The border was later reopened, with traffic moving slowly. Other travellers postponed their trips to Mozambique. “We don’t really know how bad this is and how far it will go.
Hence I’m cancelling my trip until the situation has calmed down in the whole country,” said Mr Ernest Mavimbela who was on his way there on a business trip.
According to the local foreigners, the xenophobic attacks which started in Durban two weeks ago had caused unrest, but in the midst of their uneasiness, they were glad that the situation in the province was normal.
“We got too anxious when we heard about the closure of the border and trucks which were attacked in Mozambique on Friday, thinking that the attacks were going to spread all the way down here. We really appreciate the peace here and pray for the attacks to come to an end,” said a foreign national of Mganduzweni.
Thobile Mlangeni, Mpumalanga News journalist, reported that the provincial chairperson of the African National Congress Youth League (Ancyl), Mr Desmond Moela, also strongly condemned these attacks on foreign nationals.
“As the youth, we are disturbed by the manner in which we are responding to issues of xenophobia. We must stand together in fighting these issues,” said Moela in his address to 500 youths from different ANC subregions in the province during the Ancyl Freedom Charter memorial lecture at Umjindi Community Hall on Sunday.
“As South Africans, we know where we come from and the youth of Mpumalanga must show a high level of discipline in welcoming foreigners and giving them space to breathe. We must be united because they are our brothers and sisters.”
Rev Luke Dlamini of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and a member of the South African Council of Churches (SACC), said it was high time that South Africans came to terms with the fact that they were part of Africa and should treat foreign nationals with respect.
He said this while condemning this act of xenophobia.
He said it was just a scapegoat and a shift of anger. “This is just a symptom of social stress. People in this country are stressed due to the high rate of unemployment, lack of access to basic services and political understanding by the youth.
“We say colonial borders should not bring friction between us and the neighbouring countries. We must all remember that we were once united in fighting colonialism and apartheid. Let’s learn from one another in a good way,” he said.
In solving the issue of illegal foreigners in the country, Dlamini called on government to have a clear database of foreign nationals entering the country. He also urged foreigners to practise good citizenship in this country.
• On Monday King Goodwill Zwelithini at Durban’s Moses Mabida Stadium addressed thousands of people on the xenophobia which had gripped Durban, in particular, after fingers were pointed at him for having triggered these attacks when he was alleged to have said that foreigners should leave this country.
However, he put things into the right perspective and appealed for peace in the country and on the entire African continent.
President Mr Jacob Zuma had also set up a ministerial task committee led by Mr Jeff Radebe to tackle the xenophobia plaguing the country.
