Katlehong youth react to Operation Dudula

“I think Operation Dudula is derailing the progress of our status and social economy because it comes to a point where we are fighting for irrelevant issues.”

Those are the words of 31-years-old Sindile Ndamane from Katlehong South, who shared his thoughts after attending the youth dialogue workshop (YDW) event held at Ramokonopi Resource Centre in Katlehong, on March 29.

YDW was hosted by Leratong Advice Centre (LAC) in partnership with Africa Unite. It was attended by approximately 30 to 40 young people.

According to the founder of LAC Papi Thetele, they held the dialogue because they wanted to get an understanding of the youth’s point of view on what they think of Operation Dudula.

Ndamane said the workshop hosted people who held different views and it was fruitful to his own understanding.

“There were different views from different people in terms of the perspective of the current situation, in relation to the operation,” Ndamane continued.

“The challenge was that not many of us within this geographic sphere are not familiar with Operation Dudula and what its main objective is.”

He said one facilitator, a peer-educator on the day, was able to unpack certain issues on what the motive was for the movement.

It was explained that it was a movement for eradicating drugs and crime within the space of Soweto, yet it has escalated to xenophobia.

“In my own point of view, it is not an issue of discussing whether it is right or is it wrong. You need to take into consideration what do you believe in? I believe in humanity and I believe that each and everyone has the right to life.

“I believe that all Africans have a state within South Africa, as we all have a place within the African continent. I am one person who believes in no borders.

“I believe that there is no race besides the human race.”

He said he thinks Operation Dudula is damaging the economy since it comes to a point where unimportant issues are being tackled.

“We need to find a consensus of being able to live among one another. Yes, there are migrants staying in SA illegally, but in European countries, some do not even have passports. They only have their visas and their IDs to roam around Europe.

“What stops us as South Africans to adopt a similar mindset? Why shouldn’t we be able to freely roam around Africa?”

Ndamane said Africans should unite in a common purpose to make the African continent great.

“A human being is supposed to leave a mark for the future generations. Sadly, we are saying that as South Africans we do not believe in African brothers so we are saying that we do not like humans.

“I believe a lot of groundwork needs to be done so that people can understand what it means to be an African. Let us do away with tribalism. As an African, you need to believe in your African brother and sister to grow and develop on this continent,” he concluded.

Another resident Yonela Mboniswa (21) that before the workshop did not have a clear understanding of Operation Dudula.

“It was explained that the movement was initiated to put an end to crime until they started diverting from their initial goal to focus on chasing foreigners away.

“After the July unrest, a lot of young people started businesses. I think if foreigners were chased back to their home country. SA youth will be able to continue growing and running their businesses.

“However, the manner in which Operation Dudula is going about it is wrong. I remember there were reports that suggested that in Alexandra that members of the operation were breaking into people’s homes and committed rape crime,” Mboniswa noted.

Maqaleng Tselanyane (27) said the youth is unemployed because of drugs but that is not the problem of the illegal migrants.

“The state of SA is not creating enough jobs for the youth and it is not empowering them with skills,” he continued.

“This problem is beyond xenophobia,” said Tselanyane.

He said if the state can improve job creation and skill development then South Africa will be a better country because it is meant to be a Rainbow Nation.

Thetele said the overall objective of the event was to open dialogue that looks at issues of crime, unemployment, addressing misinformation and other issues.

He said people are not like a river flowing in one direction, citing that people hold different opinions.

“If for example, you say Zimbabweans, Mozambicans and Nigerians are all criminals, what about all those South Africans who are in jail? Are they not criminals as much as we classified others as criminals?

“One of the key issues that came out of the dialogue was that one way or the other, we are all as Africans living in this country are connected.

“I do have a problem with using violence to get rid of foreigners. It does not make sense to me,” said Thetele.

Misconceptions about foreigners living in SA:

• They steal our women.

“Where have you heard in South Africa of a man controlling a woman,” asked Thetele.

“If they are stealing our women, why can’t we then go beyond borders and steal their women?”

• They steal our jobs.

“If this is so, then it is our fault. We are waiting to be employed. You need to find or create employment.”