Community unite against xenophobia
“For as long as we don’t tolerate each other, we will continue to develop the hatred of one by another. Let us stop killing Africans and other poor people,” said Shongwe.
Emjindini residents on Monday held a an anti-xenophobic violence fun run to show their support for foreigners in the area.
The run started at Eskalini near Extension 12 and ended at Barberton Police Station.
It was organised by the South African Student Congress (Sasco) in collaboration with Umjindi Municipality.
Students of the Barberton campus of Ehlanzeni Technical and Vocational Educational and Training and community members sang songs and held up placards in solidarity with those who have been killed and affected by the recent xenophobic attacks.
Sasco regional chairman, Odas Shongwe made a call to all young people to stop hating those from neighboring countries.
“South Africa belongs to all who lives in it and the land must be shared among all. We ask all South African not to abuse our foreign nationals since our freedom fighters were housed in these countries. It is the duty of all South Africans to protect and treat foreign nationals with pride and dignity,” said Shongwe.
He added that the killing of foreign nationals would never end our problems because even they did leave the country South Africa, people would still turn on one another using tribalism, sexism or even regionalism as an excuse.
He further called on the local police to stay alert in all parts of Umjindi to prevent anarchy and to protect foreign nationals.
“For as long as we don’t tolerate each other, we will continue to develop the hatred of one by another. Let us stop killing Africans and other poor people,” said Shongwe.
Ligwalagwala FM presenter, Dumisani Mavuso aka DJ Shabbisto, Umjindi communication officer, Sam Jele and lawyer Mandla Mamba, was among the participants of the fun run.
Nedbank donated 60 medals to award the top 60 finishers. Other business who contributed to the race was Pick n Pay, Chief Chunda & Associates and Wasi Supermarket, among others.
Lt Col Sunbright Ndlovu, Barberton police station commander, thanked the participants for taking this initiative.“We (police) are grateful to know that we got the support of the community in the fight against xenophobia. This makes our job much easier,” said Ndlovu.
