There is no strange car with tinted windows tailing my red Toyota. No tall and burly mafioso tracking my movements. My telephone has not been bugged (I hope). None of my three dogs have been slain and hung by my gate. No one, save my few friends and small family, know who I am and where I live. Like most people, I am famous among my friends. I have not arranged with anyone for assistance with my own death. To the best of my knowledge, nothing of significance stands to be gained or inherited from my premature death. My last physical fight — in which I was so thoroughly panel beaten I had to withdraw from society for a week — was when I was at primary school. Since then, the organs most useful for the fights I have been drawn into have all been located above my shoulders. A few times, I have, owing to my very argumentative nature, been threatened with physical harm by people who would be so upset with me they would not care to listen to any more of my explanations. At such times I have always chosen the tried and tested survival strategy of the weak, which is to run. You should see me sprint! Caster would be proud of me.
And yet in recent times I have had more reason to be worried about physical harm to the point of fearing for my life. I read a newspaper column on xenophobia recently by Jacob Dlamini whose fame includes the book Native Nostalgia. His newspaper article “ANC fiddles while xenophobic sentiment swirls” made me realise, once again, how vulnerable I and my offspring are to death by any of the killing methods used to eliminate non-South African Africans. Before you suspect me of strange job-stealing habits, mysterious muti-inspired entrepreneurship abilities or unpalatable bodily odours, let me hasten to say that I am as South African as anyone born in Soweto of parents and great grandparents whose parents hail from no country other than the beloved South Africa.
And yet I have a serious handicap, a grave disadvantage and a “dark secret”. I am Mutsonga — a so-called “Shangaan”. I speak Xitsonga also called “Shangaan” — “Shangaan” having become a dangerous, pejorative term of stigma. Dlamini tells of how he recently witnessed two South Africans verbally abusing a Mozambican and telling him to go back home. Dlamini then warned that these South Africans could face arrest. But his interlocutors assured him not to worry since the police were themselves — and I quote him — “just as fed up with the Shangaans which is an omnibus term for a foreigner in Katlehong regardless of whether a foreigner speaks Shangaan or not” — end of quote.
For obvious reasons, I have been trying hard to understand the logic of South African anti-Shangaanism in particular and South African xenophobia in general. The warped and dangerous logic works like this. If you are “Shangaan” it is assumed that you are a Mozambican. If you are originally from Mozambique, it is assumed that you are “Shangaan”. And yet not all Mozambicans are “Shangaans” and not all “Shangaans” are Mozambican. Yet, if you are “Shangaan” you join the swelling lower ranks of humanity — the ugly, the bad, the dull, the dirty and the suspect — alongside “your like” are the Nigerians, Zimbabweans, Congolese, Somalis and others. For these “lower-ranked humans” there are several collective terms. Sometimes they are all called “Shangaans” collectively. At other times they are called “Makwerekwere” or “Grigambas” — terms probably meant to depict the “noises” these people make instead of speaking “normal” languages.
But how has it come about that being a so-called “Shangaan”, a person of Mozambican, Zimbabwean or Malawian origin (whether you are a naturalised South African or not) is rendered one less than human? As a youngster growing up in Soweto I suffered grave verbal and physical abuse for no other reason than being “Shangaan”. I have suffered even from some of my best and presumably enlightened friends!
To see these sentiments returning with deadly consequences after 1994 has been one of the most depressing and frightful things for me. Of the more than 60 recorded deaths in the 2008 xenophobic attacks, up to a third were South Africans and many of those were so-called “Shangaans”. Clearly this phenomenon is one of the legacies of apartheid’s racial and ethnic classification. For this reason the “Shangaans” and the “Kwerekweres” are identifiable not only by their inability to “speak” but by their “looks” as well — very dark, “primitive” and most unkempt. These sentiments are of course a load of nonsense. But these have become more than nonsensical sentiments. They are dangerous. And the police — as Dlamini warns in his article — are not always helpful. How many times have we heard of police turning a blind eye when a “Grigamba” is attacked? How many times have we heard of the police arresting South Africans and sending them back to Zimbabwe or Mozambique just because they looked too black to be South African?
And so having escaped death in the Soweto unrest of 1976; having survived a particularly bad and brutal beating by apartheid police; having worked long and hard with the banned, the wanted and the “terrorists” of yesteryear — at grave personal risk in Namakgale (Phalaborwa) — and having led and survived the rough ungovernability of Tembisa (in the East Rand) in the 1980s, I could finally meet my death soon.
I will be walking down a street in Zone 4 Meadowlands, Soweto — place of my birth and youth. Or will it be in Ivory Park where my brother lives? It could be in Tembisa where I have many friends and family. It will start with a small group of youngsters standing on a street corner. When they see me coming, they will start chanting. “Shangaan! Shangaan! Shangaan!” That code word will be enough to summon other xenophobes to emerge. And how will they know that I am “Shangaan”? Because of the way I walk? The way I run? The way I smell? The shape of my nose and the tone of my skin? My inability to speak Zulu and Afrikaans properly? But I speak all eleven of South Africa’s languages, I will shout. I will tell them of my wonderful contributions to academia, to the communities. The kids I have put through school, schools I have helped found and school-governing bodies I have chaired. Who will listen to me?
I see the growing crowd encircling me, baying for my blood, buoyed by the chilling soundtrack of “Shangaan” chants in the background. Will I kneel before my killers? Will I plead for my life like the necklace victims of the 1980s? Will I feel the thud of the first brick bumping off my thick “Shangaan” skull? Will I sneeze when the smell of petrol rises up my “Shangaan” nostrils as they pour it over me in preparation for the inevitable? Will I make a last-ditch effort to escape — dashing through the crowd like a mad bull — only to invite a rain of kicks, stabs and beatings? Eventually, engulfed in a vibrant, flaming fire, I will do the Ernesto dance — the death dance of the Mozambican man who was burnt to death in May 2008.
Xenophobia is not a threat against foreigners. It is a threat against me, and you. It threatens the very foundations of our country and our shared humanity.
I think your last sentence “Xenophobia is not a threat against foreigners. It is a threat against me, and you. It threatens the very foundations of our country and our shared humanity” sums up how important this problem is.
Until we start to accept that difference need not be a reason for violence or power struggles, and instead can be something that enriches our understanding of the world, we are going to have serious problems.
Enlightening article! You would be surprised how many South Africans are made to feel like their country does not belong to then. And as you rightly point out it is the ignorant who perpetuate this myth. We may may be different but your home is my home and mine yours!
What an amazing blog! I wish more of these would be published on platforms that the xenophobes read or told in media that they listen to. Kudos Tinyiko and a blessed long life.
how so true, but people will stand and watch when they think they arent at risk but each day we all are getting more and more at least just like the other brother from the other border.
A sad, but beautifully written article. Thank you. It saddens me how we are all still caught up in this stupid racist thinking … even those who do not think this way can still be its victims … why is it that victims of oppression can become the worst offenders? I also lived through the apartheid years, fighting for change. I live now in the UK but visit often as my family are still in SA and I was home during the last wave of xenophobic violence. It broke my heart.
I agree 100 % brother.
Interesting perspective.
The GOVERNMENT perpetuates this myth. Our LAWS require us to check the nationality, race and BEE credentials of anyone we want to hire. Our LEGISLATION makes them unwelcome, for Pete’s sake.
Excellent article Keep it up “M’Shangaan” (lol)
I totally agree more with the author of the article.I was travelling from Wynberg to Claremont in Cape Town another Friday night at around 23h40 when the police , who had been following from a distance, stopped me. Three xhosa-speaking police officers walked out of the police vehiicle and asked me why my car was not moving straight. I was not speeding , not crossing red robots and obviously not endangering other motorists. As I could not speak xhosa ,I replied in English that I did not observe what they were accusing me of from inside my car and they asked me what language I speak . After telling that I speak Shangaan , they took me to Claremont police station where I was locked in a cell for the whole weekend , charged with suspected drunk-driving. I know and accept that drunk-driving is a punishable offence, but the fact that they asked me about my language raises suspicions about their motives for arresting me. Just like many people in this country, I have never been anywhere outside the borders of South Africa right from birth , but now I have to live in fear. One wonders how the police are going to stop this xenophobic wave sweeping across our country if they themselves regard other South Africans as foreigners because they dont speak their language.
Enlightened article , i quote from the preamble to the constitution – We, the people of South Africa,Recognise the injustices of our past;Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land;Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity. ‘
I sincerely believe South Africans should be made to learn and recite this. This is what we once stood for and fought for. This is what we have forgotten in our anger and greed.
@Tinyiko It is a sad commentary on the lack of historical and social education of SA-cans that a generation–or two–have no idea that not all Shangaans are Mozambican. Tribal lands were once free of the arbitrary borders that we live with now and many overlap, as for instance the Basarwa (Bushmen) of the Kalahari whose traditional lands cross Botswana’s, Namibia’s and South Africa’s borders. Tribal wars were common and tribal groupings and migratory patterns varied over time spreading some groups over larger areas whilst some occupied a relatively small area.
Rather than pass on myths like Africans are incapable of racism, or there were no slaves in Africa before the colonial period or before the Arabs founded Timbuktu, the actual history of the numerous tribes that spread across the southern third of the continent might help the current generation to see how pointless inter-tribal racism is.
All racism is absurd, especially considering that all humans share descent from a common ancestor who was born on this continent! There is only one race on this planet and that is the human one. It is time to absorb that fact and live it.
Wonderful piece of writing, each and every word ringing true to the ear. Problem is, how do you get this message across to the masses? They voted this irresponsible government into power, and will continue doing so for decades to come.
Thanx for the insight,utterly true….i mean who are we “precious” S.An’s to think that we’re better than the rest of our brothers and sisters for the continent just because they do not speak Swazi,Sotho or any other of the languages spoken here??? this is spread by naive minded individuals who arent even prepared to learn more and embrace each other as fellow Africans……i think it’s also up to the small percentage(us) to do our best to change people perceptions about one another…
As usual, a brilliant piece of writing, well conceived and well presented, cutting to the heart to the matter.
As someone that has worked with Central African refugees for the past 5 years, I am constantly and painfully aware of this all-to-real problem that affects so many of my friends and acquaintances. As you say, this is a problem that creates danger on multiple levels, both directly and indirectly.
I believe that the biggest danger, because of its wide-reaching implications, is the current atmosphere of denial of xenophobia in all levels of government. This not only increases current danger, but creates an environment in which that danger can grow and possibly get even more out of control.
This is a very insightful blog. The sensitivity of this matter makes us all with the exception of the Xenophobes themselves highly emotional. What we forget often is that these Xenophobes are devoid of analytical traits disabling them therefore to think about consequence and the impact of their actions on communities and the nation. Besides lamenting on the importance and ugliness of the problem and about police reaction towards – rather punishment for this behavior- why don’t we rather start a talk about the genesis of this problem, the factors that compounds the problem currently and engage a conversation that seeks to find “permanent” solutions to the problem? Arrests and trails are important however temporary measures – just like beating a kid who indulges in stealing sugar. Importantly however is to explain the consequences of stealing and the negatives of consuming sugar – in this case “policing” is eliminated but reinforced from within with some sense of personal introspection.
Very serious article expressing things in an easy way.
This discrimination is rife, and it is more so in the so called Lower Class living conditions. One woman once said these people are taking away our jobs, so they must go. When i heard these words i realised that our society is full of ignorant people. And as a responsible citizen of the world, particularly Africa, i took it upon myself to educate these people. There is a need to educate the society.
You had me up to: “Clearly this phenomenon is one of the legacies of apartheid’s racial and ethnic classification.” Ethnic rivalry wasn’t invented by apartheid – apartheid was in fact conceived, in its theoretical form at least, as a way of mitigating such rivalry. Racial and ethnic intolerance is a phenomenon that is common to multi-cultural societies the world over. Ask the Americans, British, Germans, Swedes, Bosnians, Slovakians, Russians – the list is endless.
I am a Shangaan, I was born in this country, so were my parents, and their parents as well. I come from Botsoleni Village, under the leadership of Hosi Xilungwa Mhinga.
One of the victims of the 2008 Xeno attacks was a man who was my cousin’s best friend. Eric Jambatani was killed in Alexandra in May 2008 for being a Shangaan. He was not a foreigner. Like my grand parents, his parents we born in this country, and so were their parents.
My brother told me that he always keeps his ID book in his pocket because he was stopped several times by cops and threatened with deportation just because he is darker that some people.
Xenophobia is not just against foreigners, it’s against me, you, against us.
Beautifully expressed. It is beyond sad and it is going to get worse. I am not sure what the new ideal South African is supposed to be but a friend of mine who, although possessing truest dark skin and impressive South African lineage, was told at work that she might not be considered for a post since she does not speak fluent Xhosa. Cold fingers danced up my spine. What is this? Are we again having to face the Uber-race syndrome in all its petty narrowminded nastiness? How should we look, talk walk or dress to be truly pure South African? What particular shade is just right? If Shangaan is too dark and I am too light then what are we talking here, mid-golden brown perhaps? Could anyone point me to the language course that would teach me the proper way to speak to be acceptable?
Apologies, I am extremely allergic to contact with “perfect races”, they make me break out in a rash of dark sarcasm.
Well said prof. As a shangaan who grew up in a predominantly Swati speaking area I know of the pain of being call “Li-shangane”, meaning someone stupid.
It is a pity that up to this day people’s perception of Tsongas has not changed. If my memory serves me well, 23 of the people killed during the xeno attacks of 2008 were South Africans Tsongas.
Even Pedis have at times been attacked.
Could this be perpetuated by the either Zulus or Xhosas? Could this be tribalism masked as xenophobia?
I am also afraid!
Anyone born in England is an Englishman and accepted as that, regardless of original origin. Yet not all people born in Africa, particularly those of European descent (it seems) are considered African? This fuzzy thinking carries over to Africans from other African Countries, born and raised in South Africa NOT being considered ‘South African’ and therefore a foreigner in their own land.
Why is always necessary for blame to be put at the door of Apartheid when the current government has not tried to remove racial classification. If anything they do their best to reinforce the speration both politically and in everyday working life.
Tribalism does not help.
A brilliant illustration of one of the frailties of the human condition. Intolerance of those perceived to be different from oneself.
Isn’t it just so heartbreaking to see how insular South Africans are becoming? We are entering a dark chapter in South African history courtesy of gross inaction by the government of the day to arrest what potentially is threatening to be an irretrievable situation.
Nice article Nyiko. Very enlightening and well written. And yes, you have made me realise that our way of thinking is not right. I am one of those who have put the Shangaans in their little box and have ideas of how they live, which is wrong. “Na ena e’batswana” LOL or is it “Na hina he’Batswana”? LOL, apparently that’s what the Shangaans used to say when the then Bophuthatswana prime minister? Lucus Mangope told them to go back to Shangaanland.
Graham Johnson on July 23rd, 2010 at 11:14 am
Graham, this has nothing to do with the laws that you are mentioning, those laws are very necessary in SA. We need them to undo the imbalances of the past. And as much as we should not condone Xenophobia, we should encourage our government to tighten our border security a bit.
@ Jim Stockley
No, not anyone born in England is regarded as English, big mistake. Even the 2nd & 3rd generation blacks from the Carribean as well as the millions of Indians/Pakis in the UK are no longer seen as Brits by the man on the street even though they carry Brit passports. Reason: too many of them! people are fed up, which is why the BNP is doing so well.
@ Phuti Semenya what ‘educating’ are you doing? Because that woman new instinctively that foreigners are indeed taking their jobs. With their better qualifications and work ethic the foreign blacks are finding jobs easily. She should stop whinging and find a party that will close the borders to foreign blacks to vote for.
There is nothing wrong with recognising differences between people – how boring life would be if we were all identical! The problem lies in the reaction to the differences. Our government is playing down the issue of xenophobia by issuing statements which label crimes against foreigners as “crime” rather than “xenophobic violence”. True, all violence is criminal and those who commit it are criminals. However, xenophobic violence is BOTH xenophobic AND criminal: xenophobia and criminality are not mutually exclusive. A danger of the SA government’s stance is that those who commit xenophobic violence can then say that they are not criminals committing crime, but rather that they are xenophobes “cleansing” South Africa of foreigners.
Glad someone got the balls to say this – well said.
After all, we remain as African as ever – tribalistic.
Even the experiment on social engineering viz. world cup and Rainbow miracle cannot undo these attitudes
Funny, we even boast about the concept of UBUNTU.
Very sad story! Difficult to understand. I don’t live in South Africa, I have never been there and I dare to say we South Americans have many foreign nationals in every one of our 12 countries. Argentinians have Bolivians, Chileans have Peruvians, Ecuadorians have Colombians displaced by the war. There is racism, stereotypes abound, calls to deport too, but never the hatred has been so high to kill anyone just for being a foreign… Sorry for giving my opinion but I got used to read SA newspapers since the World Cup. Tinyiko, with your academic record you are more than welcome here… and in many places of the world…
Brilliant article. I am a proud and beautiful Mushangaan born and raised in Giyani. Now I understand why our gandfathers were labelled “Swihloni” (porcupine) by some shangaan poet.For fear of victimization they had to pretend to be zulu/sotho to be accepted. Well done prof Tinyiko.
I’m Tsonga and damn proud of it. Like many others, I grew up between Soweto (Meadowlands) and Malamulele (Gumbani). Of the 11 SA languages, I speak 7 (Swati, Tswana, Pedi, Zulu, English, Tsonga, Venda). Owing to the xenophobic attacks and the tribalism that’s happening in Thulamela Municipality, I’ve since stopped speaking 5 of those, now only speaking English and Xitsonga. Each non-Tsonga word I utter, I feel like I’m promoting intolerance against Tsonga (Shangaan) people. I feel like a 1976 Sowetan speaking Afrikaans, the language of oppression. I feel less South African.
When I used to stay in Meadowlands, the side of town with the most Tsongas was dubbed “zoo”. Up until recently, I paid it no mind.