‘I don’t understand why African people would do this to one another’

In light of the march by South Africans against foreigners in Pretoria, many living in Joburg fear for their lives and, as a result, have shut down their shops indefinitely.

A Nigerian male who’s been living in South Africa for the last 12 years has expressed deep concern amid the brewing potential of a xenophobic outbreak.

Speaking to City Buzz, Oscar Japan, as he is known, spoke at length about his anxiety and disappointment at the utter disregard ‘Africans’ have for one another. He said, “I don’t understand why African people would do this sort of thing to each other. If you go to Nigeria, South Africans and foreigners from other countries are well looked after.

https://citybuzz.co.za/69287/threats-of-xenophobia-do-the-rounds-in-joburg-central/

“I don’t understand why this is happening here. This sort of thing [xenophobic violence] is bringing the image of the country down because the whole world is watching. The world is eagerly waiting to see what happens next,” he said.

Oscar indicated that he relishes living peacefully in South Africa as it forms one part of the home that is the African continent. He added that since his arrival in South Africa, back in 2005, he has remained steadfast, and today ekes out a living by acting as an agent for people and businesses who are looking to buy and sell used jewellery.

“I am married to a South African woman and wake up every morning to provide for my wife and my children,” he explained. He added that no violence had broken out in the vicinity of Jeppe and Small streets, but he suspects there may have been incidents in Bree and De Villiers streets. To this, he said, “We are prepared for them. These people are only jobless hoodlums who have nothing better to do than to ruin other people’s lives.”

City Buzz is on the ground and will provide details as they become available.

Read: Plans to curb xenophobic attacks in Joburg