Wading through the tons of articles on xenophobia, I am of the view that while some — such as Jacob Zuma, the ANC as a party, Cosatu, AfriForum and Patricia de Lille — are hitting the nail on the head, others are just taking gratuitous pot shots at the people of Alexandra without any insight into the problems giving rise to the attacks.
The bottom line is that xenophobia is unacceptable, but so too is ignoring its underlying causes.
Many “experts” and politicians are jumping on to the “clampdown on xenophobia” bandwagon without so much as a casual remark about those victims suffering from uncontrolled immigration run wild. Perhaps they’d best remember that these so-called members of a third force (or criminals, as they are so quick to judge them) are, in the main, simply the residents of towns and cities overrun by immigrants.
In addition, many of their grievances are related to issues that have nothing to do with immigrants at all — so best people go and find out why our brothers and sisters in these areas are up in arms before applying labels of expedience. An adamantine approach to the xenophobia issue will leave more than just the residents of Alexandra much poorer.
While people are quick to point out that African countries housed South Africans during apartheid, they are slow to recognise that most communities involved in this issue are those that suffered the most under that evil.
In addition, don’t fool yourself into believing that only those who have committed acts of violence are disenchanted with the situation. The residents are very sympathetic to the reasons that gave rise to the violence, as I discovered when I visited Alexandra this week.
Polokwane, lest we all quickly forget, was all about uplifting the poorest communities. Well, guys, labelling them as criminals is not in the spirit of that conference. It’s a slap in the face of these communities to hear that their desperation and frustration make them into criminals. It might have slipped many people’s minds, but many of those labelling them as criminals really have no room to speak.
An apology is due to the people of Alexandra and Diepsloot for the insensitive way that they have been treated by the press, experts and politicians. Everyone has apologised to our guests — now try to do the same for your fellow South Africans.
Having said that, I am highly encouraged by the way Jacob Zuma, for example, highlighted their plight. While addressing students at the University of Zululand, he stated: “We must understand that nation-building requires that we tackle the material differences between our people. We cannot have a united nation when a significant section of our society remains in poverty, or do not have access to quality education, or still live without basic services like water or housing. We cannot have a united nation when the bulk of the country’s wealth is retained in the hands of an extremely small minority.”
As Obama pointed out at Philadelphia, their problems must be considered our problems because in finding solutions for them benefits all South Africans. (Of course he was referring to the plight of black and white Americans.)
Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille’s response to the outcry was: “Xenophobia is happening because we have no proper mechanisms to deal with refugees and illegal immigrants.” This is right on the money. It is pointless hammering the people of Alexandra when one of the major reasons for their anger has not even begun to be addressed. The ANC must also note that recognising the plight of the poor and the problems with immigration is not the same as doing something about it. It needs to put pressure on the government to start clarifying, implementing and adding to policy very quickly.
Cosatu, together with the ANC, the SACP, the Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum in South Africa, the Swaziland Solidarity Network, the South African NGO Coalition, Disabled People of South Africa, the Treatment Action Campaign and the Anti-Privatisation Forum will be marching in protest to highlight both the situation in Zimbabwe and the soaring food prices that are hitting the poor particularly hard.
They have added xenophobia to the reasons for the march, which is primarily to focus on these communities as well as Zimbabwe.
In addition, AfriForum’s deputy CEO, Alana Bailey, wrote a very relevant piece on the reasons giving rise to these communities finding themselves fearful and frustrated.
The government would do well to read this piece. It sets out the problems that have been created by its failure to control the borders and implement stricter immigration control.
There are many more positive examples of people slamming xenophobia while calling for recognition of the problems being experienced by our poorer communities.
What I would like people to do is read the articles attacking xenophobia and check to see whether the same people have regard to the people of these communities. If they don’t, ask them why. Our poorer communities are meant to be the focus of our government post-Polokwane and it’s time people start acting like that is the case.
In addition, do not condone the branding or labelling of communities or individuals as criminals or a third force before checking to see whether the hat fits. It is far too expedient for my liking and suggests a laziness or refusal to investigate the causes of the problems.
Xenophobia, despite much of the nonsense you are reading, is not a crime. Acting on your fear or contempt for foreigners by committing acts of violence or even spreading hatred are crimes.
Let’s decriminalise the situation by removing the criminals and getting rid of the reasons which give rise to the unreasonable fear and hatred.
Right on Traps!
Mr. Len van der Merwe:
Thanks for your description of the real New Orleans: Good food and great music. As much as I love New Orleans, I want to visit South Africa and Zimbabwe. I especially want to visit Kruger National Park and the beautiful city of Harare. I love Africa but I especially love southern Africa. I can’t wait to take my trip in 2009. Thanks. Todd Kidd.
Ladies and gentlemen
I think Traps you have hit it right on the money!
People either have short memories or they suffer selective memory loss.Most people that are now being caught in the Alex fracas are the ones that have been voting Mugabe into power year in year out!They are the same people that celebrated when Mugabe killed some Zimbabweans because they were of different tribe to the so called ruling tribe.And a lot of times these victims were told to get out of Zimbabwe and go back to South Africa because thats where they come from.I am certain that there are some Ndebeles that have been caught in the cross fire but like we say in isiZulu that ‘zonela mvu inye’
It is really sad that the same people for the first time are being killed by Zanu PF in their rural homes and on fleeing to South Africa the are facing problems.I remember during the struggle how the same hated ANC people because they were linked to Ndebeles.I also recall that the same used to say that the dream of any Ndebele child is to go to South Africa but today it is the dream of every Shona to go to South Africa and seek fame and fortune.Koze kunifice nani!
There is a journalist that carried out an investigation in December and discovered that there are about 500 Zimbos crossing over to Mzansi every single day.That is a huge number of people especially if they are going to live in mkhukhus in Alex.
If we care to take our minds back a few years.When Mozambique was going through its usual problems its nationals fled to Zimbabwe.The hoards of Mozambicans were beaten up and tortured by Zimbabweans and no one said a word.Thats why today Zimbos cant go to Mozambique to seek refugee.
When Shona people were told that Ndebeles were being killed by Mugabe’s government they did not believe it; they said Ndebeles were creating fiction and must go back to South Africa.Now they are being butchered in their rural areas;its their turn and I am sure they now understand what Ndebeles were talking about.
Lastly I think the Zimbabwean crisis is not Thabo’s baby ; they must sort their mess up.The same Thabo was arrested by the same Mugabe.
Ndabenhle,
Mbeki was arrested by Mugabe? That is fascinating. Give us the historical reference please – so that we can check.
SA can kiss the 2010 WORLD CUP GOODBYE. WE ARE ALREADY LABELLED ONE THE NATIONS WITH THE HIGHEST RATES OF CRIME. I think it is time the SA government did one thing right: beef up security around the Alex. or most affected area(s). And punish these senseless murderers to the fullest extent of the law.
I find it interesting that Black South Africans would have usch animosity towards our fellow Africans, when African nations have been safe havens for our freedom fighters during the Apartheid regime. They welcomes the members of Umhkonto weSzwe with open arms, protected them and never once treated them as being less than human.
Is this how we show our gratitude. Blacks always complain about their White counterparts as being racist when we’re the worst racists! Even towards humans of the same color. Blacks South Africans are the most prejudiced in the Southern hemisphere and it is such a disgrace. No one wants to see others prosper, and when their neighbors do try to improve their lives, they take the very thing that keeps them alive.
I know what I am talking about. I was once a victim of pointless violence, back in 1985. Ihad to flee my own home as a teenager only woth clothes on my back, just because they alleged that my parents were ‘iimpmpi’. They worked hard to make a living and take care of four children. AND OUR OWN NEIGHBORS BURNED OUR HOME DOWN, FOR WHAT??? Nothing! It had nothing to do with fighting for freedom, but complete ENVY, EVIL AND IGNORANCE. AND NOW WE’RE TRAMPLING ON THESAME FREEDOM THAT MANDELA AND OTHERS FOUGHT FOR BY KILLING OUR OWN. FOR WHAT? WHO IS THE RACIST NOW?
And now everyone starts fussing about why people decide to migrate overseas. Black people need to wake up, we’r not immune to what happened in Kenya, Ruwanda and other African nations inflicted by civil wars/ethnic cleansing..
And this government needs a complete overhaul. For real!
What is wrong with providing housing for legal immigrants when they have done evrything by the book to earn alegal immigration status? If they ca afford to pay for a decent house, then they should have it. We always have to blame somebody for our lack of progress. And when houses were actually available when President Mandela was president none of the people who lived in Squatter camps took the opportunity of owning a decent home, becuase they did not want the repsonsibility that came with owning a house. Some want to benefit form our energy for free, while earning a decent wage- and still have the nerve to complain about being marginalized.
I am not saying that there are no discrepencies within the housing department, when it comes to taking care of our own-but we have to admit that we black people like not to have to toil for our living as if we deserve to handed everything for free.
I must add though that I do blame the government for failing to do it’s job in all aspects of public housing and home afairs. To whom much is given, much is expected, and all this laziness and incompetenece is comeing back to haunt us.
Zuma can say all he wants and try to act like he’s the good guy here. He had a grand opportunity to make a difference on our poorest communities while in a position of power and what did he do? Nothing. It is too late to pretend to be the champion of the poor. It’s been hyears and years since our people have been begging for better service. And Polokwane was months ago. What has he done since then?
Mr Tripido,
In the above article , you fail to tell us what the Victims are owed. By implication, is it ‘what they got, they deserve ??
Endulge me if you may, what would your response be to hearing that ‘ Australia and UK were beating and burning (bbq ?) alive all your mates who emigrated to these countries ? Would your immediate reaction be to justify the action of the hosts ?? Ha Ha….It may be difficult to phanthom, but perhaps your social station masks this undesirable fact, but look deeper, and there might be a xenophobe lurking within…People are people, and human life counts for something, and should come first always. The fires are not even out, and yet your greatest concern is that of excusing barbaric acts of violence ? Repent whilst you still have the chance
As they say, what goes around…comes around,
Karima Brown’s article in today’s Business Day is what I was saying right at the start of the violence.
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/topstories.aspx?ID=BD4A773669
Disgusting! How can we move forward in time if people still have the midframe to commit such acts of violence? During Apartheid many of our freedom fighters seeked refuge in other countries and now when immigrants ask for the same than we do not allow it. We all need to take an introspective!
I am a Student who is currently doing the international baccalaureate (IB) diploma. In order to receive my diploma one of the elements that I have to do is a 4000 word essay called the extended essay. I have chosen Xenophobia as the field in which I will undertake this task under the subject Peace and conflict studies. My research question is what were the perceptions of foreigners that lead to the attacks and the possible solutions and future preventions? I would like to send all those who are interested, a questioner which will give me a base to start my essay. My email address is lionofsa@hotmail.com .please send me an email if you gladly help me to carry out the questioner would truly be great full and very happy is you could help.