Xenophobia fuels fear, hatred

POLOKWANE – RECENTLY communities around the country were affected by xenophobic attacks, during which several lives were lost.

This has raised concerns and fear among many people throughout the country.

Express went out to the streets to ask locals what they thought of the gruesome attacks that occurred in full view of the public and media, and whether they feared such attacks might erupt in the province.

Diana Mabilo said she failed to understand how fellow Africans could attack one another, and that many claimed foreign nationals took job opportunities from them. “Killing one another won’t address the challenges we face as a country.”

Mabatho Molapo said: “We can’t keep taking out our frustrations by attacking foreign nationals. These people are hard workers and they are not lazy. I just hope and pray that the attacks do not spread to our city.”

Kopano Maruma said hating and killing would not solve anything. “South Africans should learn to embrace their brothers and sisters from different countries as those countries helped us during the Apartheid government. Our leaders used to hide in these countries and this should not be a way of repaying them.”

Pilusa Malatsi said many foreign nationals were corrupt and conducted illegal dealings in the country, but emphasised that killing them was not a solution. “Those who are illegally in the country should be deported back to their countries,” Malatsi said.

“Some nationals commit crime in our communities and we don’t feel safe anymore but killing them is not a solution,” Wilfred Nephale, echoed Malatsi’s words.

Brucly Kekana said xenophobia was not necessary because it affected the economy in a negative way.

Herbet Khwinana said: “I feel sad because I’m a South African and one day I would like to visit other countries like Mozambique but now the attacks have instilled fear amongst many.

Moshala Makgata said: “This will stop us from getting education in other countries, and it is bad for the country because some of us our lecturers are from foreign countries and they teach us well. So they are not taking any ones job.”

Ricardo Naidoo said people should realise that foreign nationals brought business to the country. “This will affect us economically because they are just bringing in improvements into the country. There are no foreigners who are taking our jobs; people must get educated and improve themselves.”