Attack left a bittersweet taste
Xenophobic attacks that occured some years back left bittersweet taste in some communities.
KANYAMAZANE – The aftermath of violent attacks against Somalian foreign citizens that started some years ago, left a bittersweet taste as some wondered whether normality was ever going to return to the township again.
Yet some Somalian citizens say they are receiving better treatment than they used in some of the communities where they conduct business. “In the past we have had problems with some members of the community who felt threatened by our business and demonstrated their frustration in a violent manner, but police intervened and prevented a lot of bloodshed and unrest,” said a Somalian businessman who operates in Lekazi, who chose not to be identified out of fear of being victimised.
Somalian nationals who live in Pienaar, KaBokweni, Matsulu and
Tekwane all share the same sentiment about the past violent attacks against
them. “We are not a nation of violence, we are business people. It is
unfortunate we were once treated as such, but we have put that behind us and are moving on with life and business,” said one. Somalians come to South Africa to do business and trade legally as a way of earning an income. They are gifted in business skills and successful at running the shops they run in the
communities.
They provide services such as tuck shops which in the past were
hard to come by and residents allow them to do business as there is a need for
their products.
Mpumalanga News spoke to WO Andries Skwambane of the
police and he had this to say: “We have not received any complaints of violent
attacks in our jurisdiction for quite some time, that has since stabilised but
there were a few cases of theft from Somalian nationals that were dealt with
accordingly.
“We have meetings in certain areas with Somalian shop owners to
hear their complaints and check on their integration within these communities
and we are happy with the outcome of this programme we have initiated,” said
Skwambane.
This is in stark contrast to other foreign nationals who enter the
country to do business illegally and add to the crime statistics of provinces
and the country at large. The country has recorded an alarming increase in drugs smuggled by other foreign nationals.
If Somalians bring services that are
clearly needed in all of the communities that they operate in, they should enjoy the respect of the community.
