“Too often in life, something happens and we blame other people for us not being happy or satisfied or fulfilled. So the point is, we all have choices, and we make the choice to accept people or situations or to not accept situations.”
Tom Brady
A few weeks ago, 157 people were registered dead due to xenophobic attacks that erupted in Durban and some parts of Johannesburg, South Africa. Thousands of immigrants from neighboring countries were packed at the borders fleeing to their home countries- fleeing from a place that they once called home. It is believed that the attacks were instigated by King Zwelithini’s statement: “We are requesting those who come from outside to please go back to their countries” which was professed during one of the King’s rallies in areas surrounding where the riots begun. (Clive Ndou)
I would say, this evil- the culture of killing fellow African brethren- was already there, flying under the radar, waiting for the stimulus. In this case, the stimulus was the statement made by King Zwelithini. However, I believe that with such complex matters, like xenophobia, it would not be fair to solely blame the King for his statement; there were other underlying issues that must have led to these inhumane attacks. In 2008, the same situation unfolded in another part of South Africa- Alexandra Township, and no one made a similar statement. Do we still then attribute this tragedy to one man’s actions? I believe the issue has never been addressed in the right way. The way the situation was dealt with in 2008 was not satisfactory; attacks were just stopped and nothing else was done thereafter.
A lot more needs to be done in order to make sure that citizens understand that it is only with the spirit of togetherness- Ubuntu- our nations and consequently the continent can go forward, moreover, “[we] do not forget. Perhaps more than any other neighboring country, Mozambique paid dearly this support we gave to the liberation of South Africa. The fragile Mozambican economy was struck. Our territory was invaded and bombed. Mozambicans died in defense of their brethren across the border.”(Mia Couto) There is an illusion among the South African masses that foreign nationals are here -in South Africa – to “steal” the jobs of the people. There is a dire need to understand that qualifications and skills give good jobs not nationalities.
On the other hand, our leaders need to realize that they need to do more. Their poor performances on improving our economies are leading to big exodus numbers, in order to look for better conditions of life “Presidents Jacob Zuma of South Africa and Botswana’s Ian Khama angrily clashed with their Zimbabwean counterpart, President Robert Mugabe over xenophobia in South Africa, with the two demanding that instead of blaming their neighbor, Zimbabwe and other SADC states must fix their broken economies to curb the rising tide of immigration.”(Hazel Ndebele, Elias Mambo) It is not a solution to get angry at the South African government and President Zuma as happened last SADC extraordinary meeting “Some SADC leaders like those of Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe had come itching to confront Zuma over the sensitive issue.” (Hazel Ndebele, Elias Mambo) Such attitudes will not create division within the leadership but to the people of the respective countries as well.
As once it happened, when some countries were under colonial and oppressive regimes. Many leaders were hosted in warm environment all believing in a better tomorrow such as how the United Republic of Tanzania hosted Mozambique Liberation Movement, Mozambique when independent after helped Zimbabwe and South Africa when.
In conclusion, it must be said that it is important that different nations put together efforts in order to address this pressing issue. It also must be understood that point fingers will not really solve the issue. Rather civil dialogue should be encouraged in order to reach compromise and help each other overcome this obstacle.