Hundreds of foreigners spent nights outside police stations while hundreds have been attacked in brutal xenophobic attacks in Durban and Johannesburg.
As political leaders and human rights activists make their voices heard through marches and various ways advocating for the ceasing of attacks, residents of Melville and Bryanston have come together to raise supplies for the displaced Durban xenophobia victims.
“The brutal attacks on foreigners have to stop. I have never been ashamed to call myself a South African until now,” said Melville resident Luyanda Lewis-Nyawo.
Lewis-Nyawo and her friends Maritza Boucher and Sizakele Masombuka have decided to provide relief to the displaced.
“We are collecting items from food, clothes, toiletries and anything that would help. Foreigners have been ill-treated in this country. I started crying when I saw people being set on fire and beaten. This is not just unAfrican, it is inhuman.”
Lewis-Nyawo encouraged residents not to wait on government intervention.
“The government says we are not at a point to get the military involved, but at what point do we take action? Do we wait until hundreds of people are killed?” she rhetorically asked.
Boucher, a Bryanston resident said, “Everyone is sharing stories about what is happening on Facebook but that is not enough. We have to do more than just clicking like on social media.
“We are all a bunch of immigrants. Most of us South Africans are not originally from this country. We should remember we are Africans before we are South Africans. If Mandela was alive, he would be weeping,” she said.
“People want to help and they don’t know where to go. We want to help as many people as we can, so people should contact us to make donations. No matter how small it is it would be appreciated– not only by us but by the xenophobia victims,” said Boucher.
Boucher added that the group needs help from medical companies to help with the injured and baby supplies.
“We will take all supplies donated to the Red Cross on 201 Northway, Kenneth Kaunda Drive, Durban North where they will be divided accordingly among the displaced,” concluded Lewis-Nyawo.
Details: Maritza Boucher 082 922 4889.
