Interactive protesters against Xenophobia
SANDTON - Motorists on the corner of William Nicol and Sandton drives saw the Going the Extra Mile (Gem) Project and Gift of the Givers gathering at the intersections for an interactive protest against xenophobia on 18 April.
Following two and a half weeks of widespread xenophobic violence against foreign nationals in areas such as Alexandra and Jeppestown, the two organisations brought the local youth together through social media to protest against the violence while raising funds and awareness.
The young protesters gathered along six intersections on the cloudy Saturday morning from 7am, holding up signs calling on the commuters to hoot against xenophobia or give small donations which will go towards relief for the victims of the attacks.
Spokesperson for the Gem Project Bryce Macmillan said, “This is a public initiative that we’ve put together and all of the proceeds from donations will go to the Gift of the Givers foundation who has been helping misplaced victims of xenophobia by providing food and shelter.”
Macmillan added that if commuters could not donate money, they asked them to hoot to show their recognition of the violence that has taken over South African society.
The protest also gathered support from foreigners who stood with them at the intersections and voiced their opinions. Foreigner and Sandton resident Tryphina Nkomo, who has been living and working in South Africa for 27 years, said she was elated by the initiative and completely denounced the violence against foreign nationals.
Macmillan concluded that about 400 protesters gathered on the day and hopes for more support to come through the Gem Projects efforts.
What initiatives would you like to see against xenophobia? Share your thoughts with the Sandton Chronicle in the comments below.
