A few years ago, the world’s eyes were on South Africa as xenophobic violence erupted in many townships across the country.
After citizens and the government stood up against attacks towards foreign nationals, the situation cooled down and everything seemed to be back to normal.
I never thought that xenophobic violence would return.
While many foreign nationals left their home countries to seek a better life in our beautiful country, their life in South Africa has soured over the last few weeks and some have been robbed and assaulted by South Africans.
Some say South Africans have resorted to violence because they want foreigners to leave the country, accusing them of taking their jobs.
But is this the real reason we rob, assault and even kill them?
Is this the way we solve our problems, through violence?
Where is our country going, and what are we expecting our children to learn from this?
Why must we kill our African brothers and sisters if their countries opened their homes to our freedom fighters when they were fighting for a better South Africa?
When watching the South African Music Awards on Sunday night, I liked the way our musicians appealed to citizens to stop attacking foreign nationals.
The president, Jacob Zuma, also appealed for peace between Africans.
“No amount of frustration or anger can ever justify the attacks on foreign nationals,” said Zuma.
While trying to calm down angry citizens, Zuma also came under unnecessary fire from some opposition parties.
They accused him of being the one who taught people that problems can be resolved through violence, and wanted him to take full responsibility for having misled the nation.
When watching and listening to some of our politicians, I wish I knew what was going on in their minds.
I question whether they are in parliament to serve the needs of the people who elected them, or have they used these votes in order to divide the nation.
Innocent people are dying, there is no time to play games or place the blame on others.
We need leaders who will stand together and end xenophobic attacks.
