The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Xenophobia

  • South Africa: From apartheid to xenophobia

    SIR: What the present generation of some black South Africans who recently launched a wave of xenophobic attacks on hapless immigrants from different African countries may not know is that they have resurrected the corpse of apartheid buried to the rapturous applause of the human community in 1994 from the catacomb. Were those involved in such unfortunate and shameful attacks on fellow Africans not fully conversant with history of anti-apartheid struggle or were they suffering from amnesia to commit such a heinous crime?

    How was that South Africa that hosted the third United Nations’ Conference against Racism, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in September 2001 witnessed the latest outbreak of anti-foreigner violence?

    The recent mindless attacks on African migrants there were sparked in Durban after the tribal Zulu king, Goodwill Zwelithini, was alleged to have called on foreigners, who he accused of taking jobs belonging to locals, to pack their bags and leave the country. It is noteworthy that the rate of unemployment in South Africa is more than 24 per cent and this disturbing development, along with lack of access to social services and welfare programmes, has become a major driving force behind xenophobic outburst in a country that is seen as the continent’s most advanced economy.

    Alas, black South Africans have vented their socio-economic frustrations by accusing African immigrants of stealing their jobs, undermining wages, acquiring government-built houses, rampant criminality and establishing relationships with their women. However, the immigrants are wont to blame them for their penury and suffering, which they attribute to their laziness and lack of entrepreneurial spirit, hence the jealousy undertones of the recent xenophobic violence in the country.

    Not helping matters are the ugly legacies of economic injustice and inequality of apartheid years which have left many black South Africans deprived, impoverished and disillusioned. During the presidency of Dr. Thabo Mbeki, a determined effort was made to address the problems through the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) programme, which was launched to eradicate extreme poverty among the black population in the country. The programme has only succeeded in creating few black economic overlords or nouveaux riches. Furthermore, the much-expected land reform in South Africa, which requires transfer of 30 per cent of farmland to blacks by 2014, under a “willing seller, willing buyer” programme, was not implemented last year. This has raised fears about possible seizure of white-owned commercial farms in the country by restive black South Africans, as witnessed in Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe several years ago.

    Considering that the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa were contrary to the spirit of a new, forward-looking Africa whose renaissance is partly driven by the values of brotherhood, inclusion, equality and cooperation, the African Union (AU) should be bound and determined to fast track the process of political community building on the continent in a way that resembles that of the European Union (EU). It is only by so doing that the AU would be able to confront xenophobia in that former apartheid enclave, as well as other exclusionary ideologies that could impede the quest to make the continent a home for all Africans like indigene-settler dichotomy, ethnic separatism irredentism and religious extremism.

    However, beyond the moral outrage over the recent attacks on foreigners in South Africa lies the lesson for African states, especially those whose nationals were affected in the unrest. Exactly, the lesson, apart from grappling with how to ensure the safety of their citizens abroad, is the overriding need for them to address their internal contradictions like misrule, corruption, mismanagement, economic misery, deprivation, wretched poverty, hunger, chronic unemployment, lack of social opportunities, political oppression and civil strife. No doubt, such adverse factors have led to mass efflux of nationals of many African countries to foreign lands, even to the risks of perishing in desert or drowning in high seas like the Mediterranean whose migrant deaths are shockingly projected to hit 30,000 this year or facing persecution abroad, as observed in the recent xenophobic crisis in South Africa.

     

    • Okechukwu Emeh, Jnr

    Wuse 2, Abuja.

  • How Xenophobic attack began in South Africa

    How Xenophobic attack began in South Africa

    In the period before South African independence from the Apartheid regime in 1994, the all-white dominated government in that country had instigated black-on-black violence (pitting the Zulus under Chief Buthelezi against other tribes)in order to weaken the liberation efforts of the African National Congress (ANC) led by Nelson Mandela, who was in prison then.

    The combined efforts of the Organization of African Unity, now African Union (AU) and the rest of the world, to condemn and sanction that regime, eventually led to independence and a majority black regime, headed by Mandela. He was succeeded by Thabo Mbeki (who spent more than ten years on exile in Nigeria), and now, Jacob Zuma, a controversial Zulu chief, whose tribal King, Goodwill Zwelithini, ignited the current attacks on foreign Africans in South Africa.

    The King had blamed the increase in crime and unemployment on the migrant African workers who even undertake jobs which unskilled South Africans shun. The migrant workers are mostly housed in hostels in the homeland interior of South Africa, such as Kwazulu Natal, Transkei and slums of Johannesburg.

    Affected areas where violent attacks took place are Alexandra, Hill brow, Bereaand Primrose in Johannesburg, rural Kwazulu Natal and Durban. This was the case even during the apartheid regime. The lazy indigenes (mostly Zulus) who would not undertake menial jobs and unskilled jobs in mines, have always blamed their unemployment woes on migrant African workers from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, East Africa and even Nigeria. Since 2008 when these xenophobic attacks began, about 15 lives have been lost and properties worth millions of US dollars destroyed.

     

    Nigerians in South Africa

    The migration of Nigerians to South Africa in search of better jobs and improved standards of living, started shortly after that country’s independence in 1994. Nigerian experts had been seconded to that country to help in its governance. Some of them are still there in their professional capacity. A second wave of economic Nigerian migrants started moving to South Africa from 1999 when nascent democracy took root in Nigeria. Since then, we have witnessed increased migration with the usual negative effect, such as Nigerians getting involved in crime, drug pushing, sex trade and other vices. Nigerians hardly worked in the mines and other menial, labour intensive jobs. They are mostly small and medium scale entrepreneurs who run fashion shops, provision stores, restaurants, car wash bays, etc.

     

    South Africans’ View of Nigerians

    South Africans see Nigerians as proud people. They envy the entrepreneurial spirit and drive of the Nigerian. Their women folk admire the Nigerian male for this, much to the chagrin of South African males. However, this jealousy does not always result in violence against Nigerians, except amongst the criminal and drug pushing circles. It is in the homeland, less affluent slums of Kwazulu Natal and Johannesburg that violent attacks against Africans occur.

     

    Reasons behind recent attacks

    The xenophobic statement made by Zulu King Zwelithini against migrant Africans, poor governance, backwardness and ignorance of unskilled homeland South Africans, are the main reasons for current attacks on migrant Africans in South Africa. The people find it easier to blame their woes on migrants than to accuse a government run by their own Chief Jacob Zuma, a Zulu.

    On its part, the government would prefer someone else to carry the blame for the mismanaged economy and mass unemployment of South Africans. This is evidenced in how security forces virtually stood by and watched South African youths mob, burn, loot and kill foreign Africans, including Nigerians. Now that African governments and the world have condemned this shameful act, and threatened reprisals on South African interests abroad, President Jacob Zuma has promised to arrest the situation. However, well-meaning and better enlightened South Africans have staged 30,000 man anti-xenophobia marches in Johannesburg and Durban.

     

    Impact on South Africa

    The xenophobic attacks on migrant Africans have put South Africa in very bad light before the world. The impression is that the country cannot protect the lives and property of foreigners within its territory. On the other hand, South Africa’s economic interests and investments in other African countries are enormous and highly vulnerable, especially in Nigeria alone (MTN, DSTV,Shoprite, Standard Bank, etc.). Reprisal attacks against these interests (talk less of the embassy) could be very costly. It would matter very little whether the 60,000 Nigerian employees are affected or not.

     

    Brigadier General Odunwa (rtd) writes from Lagos Nigeria. He is Rector of Risk Control Academy, Ajah-Lagos. He meritoriously served in the Army for 35 years in different capacities both home and abroad; decorated with many awards.

     

     

  • XENOPHOBIA Horror tales from South Africa

    XENOPHOBIA Horror tales from South Africa

    The world woke-up mid-last month to another spate of xenophobic upheavals in South Africa. Observers say it is the worst after similar explosion of violence against black foreigners in 2008 that left more than 60 people dead. Within a couple of days, the violence, which broke out in Durban and Johannesburg had spread like wildfire, recording eight deaths and hundreds more people gruesomely injured or maimed perpetually. One of the images that have gone viral and which will continue to be a horrific reminder of the incident is that of a black man on all fours, being roasted alive. Yet another is the image of a man being perpetually stabbed in broad daylight, until he hit the ground and was left to die. A particular sickening video showed a huge number of South African mob mauling, hitting and stomping on a lone helpless female foreigner. The horror continued until she lay practically lifeless, yet one man didn’t feel satisfied and continued to pummel her with the back of an axe, ostensibly to make sure not an iota of life was left in her.

    Yet as the dust of the attacks settled, more gory stories continue to emerge, making some of the examples above look like child’s-play. A young man Uche, who managed to sneak out of the rainbow country last week, spoke of how her boss, a Malawian was mauled to death in his office, before his very eyes. Luckily, the attackers did not spot him, and he quickly left through a back door, headed for his apartment not too far from his office, took the few things he could travel with, and immediately headed for a nearby border town from where he accessed Namibia and connected a plane back to Nigeria.

    Uche said he worked as a cleaner in the company and was paid handsomely, something in the region of N110,000 per month, when converted, but said he is not likely to go back to that country for all the rands in this world.

    His exact words: “Those people are not human. They cannot be trusted.”

    – Gboyega Alaka

  • Brand South Africa fights xenophobia

    The South Africa agency saddle with the responsibility of promoting South African business interest internationally, Brand South Africa, has said it is participated in a number of platforms aimed at condemning the violent crimes committed in the past few weeks and implementation of interventions to quell the violence.

    A release by the agency said it is working in line the South African constitution that emphasizes  the rule of law to see the unfortunate episode is totally eradicated. The agency said the country’s leader, President Jacob Zuma, visited various camps, where foreign nationals are temporarily sheltered, to assure them that the government and the people of South Africa would do everything to ensure their safety in the country. As such, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) had been deployed to the hotspots to reinforce the efforts of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

    Brand South Africa said a multi stakeholder session was held with the President wherein all sectors of the South African society pledged their support to play their part in ensuring that South Africa is rid of all acts of criminality. The President announced the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on immigration to provide a long-term solution to the challenges in the area of immigration in South Africa.

    The President also met with representatives of foreign nationals from our continent wherein they shared with him their perspective on these crimes and possible interventions. The African Heads of Mission in South Africa will be updated on all developments with regards to immigration related matters.

  • Xenophobia: Why Fed Govt suspended Perm Sec, by Minister

    Information Minister Patricia Akwashiki explained yesterday why the Permanent Secretary,  Foreign Affairs Ministry, Danjuma Sheni, was suspended. She said  Sheni had no authority to recall Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa.

    The President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration  was caught in an imbroglio with its South African counterpart following the recall of Nigerian envoys as a result of Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country.

    Mrs. Akwashiki, while briefing reporters after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday, said only the President could recall an ambassador.

    She said there was a breach in that procedure, which earned the permanent secretary a suspension.

    Citing the phone call saga with the Moroccan King, the Minister said diplomacy had not been handled well by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, adding that the government was investigating the issue.

    The minister said: “It was discussed in council and the President made it clear that as President and indeed a Government, you do not allow any of the political functionaries or civil servants mess things up.

    “The way the South African/Nigerian issue was handled by the Foreign Affairs ministry did not go down well with the President.

    “As a government, we took a decision to suspend the Permanent Secretary pending investigation as to what transpired.

    “Already, it was obvious that diplomacy at that level was not well managed. What we have in South Africa is not High Commissioner, it’s Charge D’Affairs.

    “If the Foreign Affairs ministry is providing a structure not in existence, it may amount to annihilation of Nigerians.

    “Investigation is on as to the management of diplomacy at that level between Nigeria and South Africa. I want to assure you that President Goodluck Jonathan and President Jacob Zuma of South Africa are talking; they are on talking terms and the various nagging issues that gave a semblance of fisticuffs have been resolved.

    On reasons for the sack of the Permanent Secretary instead of the Foreign Affairs Minister, Akwashiki said the former was the accounting officer of the Ministry.

    “The Minister was not in the country; he was out on an international programme when it happened. The Minister is the political head while the permanent secretary is the accounting officer. So, the stick had to fall on him,” she said.

  • Our Girls; FMB; Politics-Nigeria’s disaster; Xenophobia; INEC vs anarchy; Nigeria-teach history

    Our Girls still missing since April 15, 2014. What hope for them to escape their evil captors?

    Ten to 32 farmers were killed by herdsmen in the ongoing FULANI HERDSMEN/FARMERS WAR which has claimed over 5000 lives, second to Boko Haram. What can and will Buhari do when he takes over?

    The Kotangora House, Marina, Lagos fire reveals the building is owned by Federal Mortgage Bank which has seriously failed the housing loan industry. FMB should sell Kotangora House and use the billions for its unfulfilled role.

    The earthquake and Mount Everest avalanche in Nepal killing 3,000+ are warnings to Nigeria’s leadership to take governance seriously. Bad governance also kills thousands, for example THE OKADA MOTORCYCLE EPIDEMIC. Daily I see deadly disease and death in potholed Nigeria. The ONLY NATURAL DISASTER IN NIGERIA IS POLITICS losing trillions to theft and incompetence. Even in ‘working’ states, the costs in corruption and taxes are too high on the few paying. Tax Consultants take too much. Taxation must follow the democracy axiom – BETTER TO TAX MANY A LITTLE, THAN A FEW A LOT.  Taxes in overtaxed states must be reviewed downward.

    The Gallipoli Campaign 100 years ago, claiming 130,000+ lives, was marked on 25-4-2015. The Armenian Deportation or Genocide claiming 600,000-1.5million lives was marked on 24-4-2015. These are history, win or lose. Countries which ignore history, cannot survive. Nigeria abandoned teaching history.

    The Xenophobic attacks in South Africa are partly because the complete history of the anti-apartheid struggle is not taught but summarised as ‘Let us forget the past except for a few heroes’. Most young South Africans are angry at their poverty and joblessness caused by failures of their own government which spends millions on the President’s home. The migrant African worker is easier prey who would not be in South Africa if not for the failures of African governments back home!

    Films, plays, books, songs, stories must tell of those who stood against apartheid and for freedom in Angola, Mozambique, and Congo. How many African salaries, jobs, scholarships, medical services and lives helped South Africans? Africans collected pocket money for South Africans. South African and Africans schools should teach history from the old anti-apartheid diplomats to correct the ‘shortage of history’ or ‘history deficit’. Nigeria sent Nigerian volunteer doctors including Dr Wole Ogunseyinde to Angola and Mozambique in 1970s. Ignorance is an African denied his history, fed 100% rubbish politics!  And Burundi President wants a third term!

    America is taught history in Hollywood blockbusters, even failures like the Bay of Pigs. Our Nollywood should too. Where in Nigeria is the Commemorative Plaque/Memorial for Nigerians who helped kill apartheid? We remember historians Professors Tekena Tamuno-TNT, and JFA Ajayi. Let the new government TEACH HISTORY ‘Lest We Also Forget’ our past. Xenophobia spreads faster than Ebola. HISTORY IS A VACCINE AGAINST XENOPHOBIA. Any reprisal attacks on South African business in the countries of victims of xenophobia in South Africa, is also xenophobia and must not happen. Two ‘human rights’ wrongs do not make it alright.

    We expect a lot of INEC – A good honest election to triumph over entrenched political anarchy. We expect INEC to deliver a MORAL AND MATERIAL MIRACLE in a country where political corruption and vicious violence are stepping stones to ‘respectable’ political glory. The Nigerian political system has ‘legalised the illegality’ of exorbitant Salaries and Perks, SAP, salaries for life, and pauperised Nigeria by budget self-allocations and 30-70% contract kickbacks.

    The average Nigerian says there are no ‘clean politicians’. If a past ‘clean’ governor has a huge election war-chest of billions, would those stolen billions have not paid for enough roads, text books and medicines, water, filled potholes to guarantee re-election? Our politicians must TURN FROM STEALING TO SERVICE or Nigeria is doomed! Are our politicians morally capable of STOPPING STEALING FOR FOUR YEARS, voluntarily or from fear?

    Why do we expect INEC officials to overcome a dangerous tested political evil monster? They mostly would do a good job if other Nigerians did not participate in dirty politics. Is it INEC officials who bribe, intimidate, ransom, threaten GBH-Grievous Bodily Harm, shoot, bomb, bury in coffins, stab and spread murder and mayhem? No, it is politicians who ‘use any means necessary’ to outwit INEC officials. The politicians are never caught, fined, barred from re-run elections, prosecuted or jailed. So ‘brawn’ claims a violent victory over ‘brain’. We are mostly ‘volunteer voters’ offering time and presence at polling booths to help democracy. A volunteer voter votes for democratic principles and the manifesto inducement of future ‘good governance’.

    This is different from voters voting only under direction for short term profit like stomach infrastructure, bribery, the coerced voter who is ‘selling’ the vote for inducement, bribes or beatings. Who is wiser – the voter who takes immediate returns or the one who votes for political reasons? INEC, how did under-aged and Chadian foreigners register? Who used those PVCs? How many PVCs did not match the voters but the INEC officials said ‘Yes’ from fear?

    It is not INEC which needs education or must educate Nigerians. Nigeria must teach ‘POLITICAL NATIONAL MORAL DEMOCRACY EDUCATION’ to 14+ year olds who will be 18+ in 2019 in schools and the family through teaching Civics and History. The problems include that the Northern feudal system fears that real democracy with free education will take away an obedient multitude and cheap labour –like cattle herdsmen and almajari youth. The price of democratic progress.

    ‘It is not INEC which needs education or must educate Nigerians. Nigeria must teach ‘POLITICAL NATIONAL MORAL DEMOCRACY EDUCATION’ to 14+ year olds who will be 18+ in 2019 in schools and the family through teaching Civics and History’ 

     

  • Counting the cost of xenophobia

    SIR: South Africa is in the eye of the storm again as xenophobic onslaught against fellow immigrant Africans sweeps across that land. The repeat of this deep rooted irrational hatred for fellow human beings which took place seven years ago, claiming over 60 lives was cruelty taken to another ugly dimension. Take it or leave it, xenophobic attacks in Africa have unfortunately lived with us and gone unnoticed for years. When it is over we forget to properly identify its recipe to forestall future occurrence.

    Killing and maiming of brothers has become the bane of a well celebrated continent of loving and caring people. The world was largely miffed in this South African Xenophobic attack because this is happening in a multi-cultural society known to have garnered immense African solidarity and support against serial injustices done to their nation during apartheid regime. This is the nation of Nelson Mandela: the epitome of the struggle for South African freedom who once said, “for to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chain but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

    Unfortunately, this barbarism contradicts the South African ideal for democracy, freedom, justice and what they portend. The brazenly rascality turned into broad day armed robbery where looting of shops and properties of immigrants by the young and old South African in the full glare of local and international media was the order of the day.  The South African police and other civil security establishments should be investigated for their unenthusiastic approach to the crisis. They did not seem in my estimation to have risen up to this occasion.

    Xenophobia and other crisis in Africa cannot be divorced from economic struggle for livelihood and the quest for survival among the masses amidst affluent few, corruption, unemployment, poor healthcare facilities, lack of good education and paucity of the needed resources or denial therein. The lack of purposeful leadership and good governance in Africa has thrown up all sorts of confusions and crises. Both the hungry and the unemployed take to anger and since anger emotionally overpowers reason; the least provocation is a misdirected violence waiting to happen on the society which are manifested in the forms of riots and civil wars.

    Ralph Ellison posited that, “when I discover who I am, I will be free.” South Africans were freed from apartheid regime 21 years ago but they have failed to emerge from their cocooned slave-mindset and discover themselves; and if they do, they will be free indeed. Africans are weary of and can no longer tolerate governments devoid of good governance. The earlier African states and governments begin to see positions of authority as one of trust, service to humanity and a social contact which must be sacrosanct, Africa will arise, be well and better for it.

    • Sunday Onyemaechi Eze,

    Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna

  • Xenodochial of xenophobia

    The horrific disturbing tales of discrimination and violence in South Africa in the last few days has been shocking and alarming for many. It would seem that the scars of apartheid are evidently obvious in these attacks of hatred and cowardice. In 1994 when South Africa was democratized; rather than decreasing the incidence of crime and xenophobia went on the rise. From the period of 2000 to March 2008 there have been at least 67 people that have been killed due to xenophobic attacks. Following that, in riots at least 62 people were reported dead. The situation that spiraled out of control forced many foreign embassies to repatriate their citizens out of harm’s way. In 2004 a study was published by the Southern African Migration Project (SAMP) in which it stated, “The ANC government- in its attempts to overcome the divides of the past and build new forms of social cohesion….embarked on an aggressive and inclusive nation- building project. One unanticipated by-product of this project has been a growth in intolerance towards outsiders….Violence against foreign citizens and foreign refugees has become increasingly common and communities are divided by hostility and suspicion.”

    This statement was loaded with meaning and was an indicator that xenophobia would darken the future of the country in years to come. From the study, 21% of South Africans favored that there should be a complete ban on foreign entry into the country and 64% favored strict laws and regulations towards foreigners in the country. A good majority of South Africans believed that foreigners are involved in criminal activity; even though there was never evidence of any sort to corroborate this belief. And it follows that because illegal aliens had no legal backing; many were subsequently taken advantage of in terrible ways. Foreigners consistently complained to their embassies about being maltreated especially by the South African police force who were ironically supposed to protect them. In 2013, after three Somali shopkeepers had been stoned to death, the Somali government asked the South African government to put more intensive efforts towards combatting xenophobic attacks. Out of those murdered, two brothers were hacked to death and there was worldwide condemnation of the attacks with demonstrations even in diaspora. Attacks on foreigners in South Africa has apparently been on the rise for so many years. The recent attacks though have culminated to a desperate show of disregard for human life and property.

    In the past, attacks had been largely in the suburbs but in April 2015 they spread to Johannesburg. South African locals started attacking foreigner’s properties and businesses while boldly stating that they had more rights because it was their country. Many foreigners fled to police stations fearful for their lives; such was the aggression and venom of the attacks. The government of Malawi began to repatriate their citizens and so did other governments. Close to ten people have been killed and more than 100 people have been arrested in respect to the recent attacks. The cold hearted systematic and brutal way that these attacks have been carried out leaves one to ponder on the fact that while black South Africans are free from the era of apartheid; many are still imprisoned and tormented within their minds and this time it is not the white man that is their captor but the unforgiving state of their economic situation.

    The present attacks were said to have been spurred on by a mining company’s decision in the KwaZulu Natal Province in Durban to employ only foreign nationals in its mining site. The Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini was not happy with this since many locals are unemployed. He allegedly told his people that all non- South Africans should “go back to their countries”. This caused many youths to take up arms against black foreigners who they saw as taking their rightful jobs. The shops of foreign nationals were looted including Nigeria, Ghana, Congo, Zimbabwe, Malawi and many others. Rather unfortunately, the President’s son himself is said to have allegedly claimed that the government should desist from accommodating foreign nationals. President Jacob Zuma has publicly condemned the attacks, stating that they go against everything South Africa stands for.

    Xenodochial is a word that derives its origins from the Ancient Greek language. It is a highly intellectual definition for being friendly to strangers. The paradox of xenodochial and xenophobia are not lost in this piece. Poor black South Africans should learn lessons from these senseless and meaningless attacks by benefitting intellectually and economically and learning to be xenodochial towards foreign nationals. Though it has been twenty years since the apartheid era ended, the scars of the atrocities committed still remain with its victims. This dark portion of the country’s history remains indelibly etched in many minds. Man’s inhumanity to man has left a legacy of insecurity and violence as seen in the wake of these attacks. The psychological profile of those responsible for the murders must be in a state of desperation of battling untold demons. Many of the people that attack are poor and unemployed; they must resent the presence of seemingly successful foreign traders with thriving businesses under their very noses on their home soil. Some have witnessed or been told of unimaginable crimes against them or their loved ones. The fact that many youths have grown up with parents afflicted by poverty and mental distress and anxiety must have had quite a negative impact on a generation of South Africans. Though one has to be careful not to generalize the subject of xenophobia in South Africa because for every xenophobic attack, there have been dozens of accounts by foreigners of nationals that have come to the aid of many by shielding them and protecting them and their properties against being attacked. The trauma of apartheid it seems still has its claws around the necks of many which is regrettable for one of the greatest advocates of human rights and oppression is Mahatma Ghandi who though an Indian by blood was raised as a South African. The memory of such great men as Nelson Mandela should not be forgotten and their fight for freedom not tainted by these recent crimes.

    A valuable lesson should be learnt from everyone in these recent attacks. The honor of rising above one’s personal torment and poverty to improve, enlighten and counsel oneself about the dangers of harming others and the disturbingly ripple effect it can have on generations to come should be a priority. While it is next to impossible to be happy amidst utmost poverty and unemployment, destroying other lives can cause the certain destruction of oneself like a cancer eating away at the conscience mind. As humans we can strive for perfection that isn’t there but a mere phantom of our imagination. The less privileged in South Africa that took part in the xenophobic attacks and killings should be justly punished by law but at the same time the rest of us should ponder and reflect upon the fact that the problem lies so much deeper than what we see on the surface. Criminals are often the by- products of their environment and circumstances. As a Nigerian I was angered too by attacks on my people who I commend and admire for earning a living and surviving in a foreign land that may not always be welcoming of a different culture or tradition; but my focus had to broadly examine why such horrific acts should have even taken place in modern South Africa, where the euphoria of a promise of a brighter post- Apartheid era has all but disappeared to the reality of decades of a struggling, suffering people. The deaths and attacks of the innocent should not be in vain, rather the xenodochial characteristics that illuminate the goodness in each human being should rise to greater heights deafening the ugly screams of xenophobia

  • Xenophobia: Nigeria, South Africa, others sign peace accord

    Xenophobia: Nigeria, South Africa, others sign peace accord

    REPRESENTATIVES of Nigeria, South Africa and other citizens and groups in other parts of Africa yesterday signed a peace accord to begin a process leading to a non-violent means of settling differences and discouraging xenophobia in South Africa.

    The peace deal, which was initiated by Nigerians In Diaspora Integration Agency (NIDIA), was signed in Abuja with the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Lulul Louis Mnguni as observer.

    According to the President-General, NIDIA, Ms Caro Nwosu, who signed for Nigeria, there is no alternative to peace through non-violent dialogue to foster unity in the continent. She voted for stakeholders’ efforts to wipe-out xenophobia in South Africa.

    Ms. Nwosu, who also presented a letter to Ambassador Mnguni en route South African President, Jacob Zuma, expressed concern that the xenophobic attacks were threatening the hard-fought freedom, democracy and peace not only in South Africa but in Africa as a whole.

    Her words: “We are here to show our love and concern of what is happening in the continent. We in the Diaspora are of great concern to what is happening in South Africa by derailment of peace through violence extremism.

    “We stood tall and united in time of peace and all these years and that is why our heart bleeds for what is happening.”

    Ms. Nwosu insisted that there is no alternative to non-violence, which according to her, remained the only way to re-establish a broken community and implement the just law by appealing to the conscience of the great decent majority who through blindness, fear, pride, and irrationality have allowed their conscience to sleep.

    The NIDIA noted that on the contrary, violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral, and brings only momentary results.

    She said: “Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones. Violence is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all.

    “It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding: it seeks to annihilate rather than convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brother hood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends up defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.”

    Proffering a path for peace and unity in Africa, Ms. Nwosu suggested that massive enlightenment must ensue; African leaders must step-in to enlighten Africans, especially the ignorant and illiterate population about unity and peaceful co-existence among Africans, with the central theme of equality and oneness.

    In the NIDIA presented to Zuma, they recommended amongst other things; mass population re-orientation by various means, deliberate government renunciation of hate speeches by political and traditional leaders and development of controls of social media at crisis periods.

    Reminding her audience that Africa was built on the foundations of tolerance and solidarity, she said every African should uphold the African dream of unity in diversity and stay strong, peaceful, and united despite the bitter challenges facing the continent today.

    Ambassador Mnguni gave further assurances that the xenophobic attacks will be quelled and called for unity.

    His words: “In as much as we are concerned we are being strengthened by being together. That is why we are here today to ensure that we are united together to emphasize on peace through dialogue.

    “This is what Nelson Mandela emphasized that despite that he spent almost three decades in prison, he still embraced peace. So I say to you, we will remove xenophobia and any other form of oppression from the face of the earth.”

  • Xenophobia and United States of Africa dream

    Xenophobia and United States of Africa dream

    SIR: The latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa against fellow Africans is unfortunate, regrettable, and condemnable. History will no doubt remember this killings, and the perpetrators will never be forgiven. This is because, Africans especially Nigeria played a very vital role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. Nigeria spent a lot and accommodated a lot of South Africans in the spirit of brotherhood and Africa’s liberation. Now it is South Africans that are attacking their fellow Africans, killing them and looting their properties. It is an awkward and irrational pay back gesture.

    Xenophobia is a barbaric. No country, state, or nation can survive on its own. That was why Europeans, despite their development had to smelt their differences and unite under the cover of European Union. International organizations like UN, AU, WHO etc were created purposely to assist and help countries. Legally registered foreigners that pay taxes in a country are more important to that country that its criminal citizens. America is a country that accept all manners of people. That is why an African-Americans, Arab-Americans, Latino-Americans etc, feel more of being Americans than their ancestral backgrounds. That is because, the US understands and harnesses the benefits in diversity and capabilities.

    The dream of United States of Africa will remain a mirage if xenophobia and tribal wars continue among African states. How can we achieve a United States of Africa when South Africans don’t like Nigerians; when Nigerians don’t like Ghanaians,  when Libyans don’t like Sudanese etc? Africa must come of age and start to deal with its problems using local solutions. The African Union should be strengthened to be able to defend the interest of all Africans where ever they may be.

    I call on the South African government to protect all foreigners within its domain and their property also. The perpetrators of this xenophobic attacks should be brought to justice irrespective of their status. The government should also apologise and compensate victims of the barbaric attacks – with assurance that such will never be allowed that happen again.

    • Comrade Abdulbaqi Aliyu Jari,

    Katsina