Giyani blames govt for xenophobia
THE community of Giyani blames government for the spread of xenophobia in the country, saying the lack of municipal by-laws governing trade was a huge problem and allowed for shops that sold sub-standard goods and charged low prices.
LIMPOPO – THE community of Giyani blames government for the spread of xenophobia in the country, saying the lack of municipal by-laws governing trade was a huge problem and allowed for shops that sold sub-standard goods and charged low prices.
They said this and relaxed immigration laws was the main problem in the country. “Many of the South African shops do not survive because of these shops that sell cheap stuff,” Jackson Mdaka, speaking on behalf of small businesses in Giyani, said.
This discussion occurred at a consultative visit by members of the provincial legislature to Giyani last Wednesday to discuss the causes of xenophobia with the community.
Many of those who spoke said the situation was made worse by the fact that the health inspectors who used to inspect shops to ensure quality products were sold, were no longer visible.
“This is why we have shops that do not comply with the country’s regulations dominating, yet they make more money than our local shop owners,” Noza Mathebula, another resident said.
Speaking on behalf of artists, Erick Nkovani, the Tsonga disco king who is well-known as Penny Penny, said xenophobia was not good for anyone.
“As artists, our music is listened to by many people of different cultures and religions, locally and abroad; can you imagine what would happen if all these people boycotted our music because of xenophobia in the country?” he asked, urging communities to act against xenophobia.
Provincial legislature deputy speaker, Lehlogonolo Masoga, appealed to people to desist from the act of xenophobia, saying many ANC leaders did not have documentation when they hid in African countries, yet they were welcomed and given resources, which they used to fight the Apartheid government.
“Some of them came back to the country with wives and children because they were treated well by our African brothers in the neighbouring countries,” he said.
Masoga said if communities did not stop xenophobia now, it would not only do the country damage, but it would spread locally. “When you’re done with the foreigners you will start local xenophobia, where some of you will say you do not want Pedis or Vendas working in Giyani, and the Pedis and the Vendas will do the same in their areas,” he said.
However, he also assured people that the provincial legislature would debate all the views they had expressed with the aim of finding a solution to the xenophobia problem.
