Look after our own first

Given the recent spate of xenophobic attacks on ‘foreigners’ in SA, since the collapse of apartheid in 1994, shouldn’t we have just waited or placed a moratorium on the influx of foreigners into our country? Basically, not adopted a “free SA for all” stance or policy.
I am in no way bearing ill-intent to our esteemed minds and politicians and their sentiments at the time whatsoever. However, whilst we all strive for ideals, realism is quite another matter. Because as we are quickly learning in SA, the gap between our ‘thinkers” and ‘leaders” and us, ‘the common man/or vast majority” is simply too great. And dare I say, getting even wider . . .
My premise for this ‘brain-burst’ is: there were (and evidently still are) vast numbers of our own people who simply did not have anything back then and still have nothing now, 21 years after democracy. From basic necessities to services to homes to jobs to business opportunities. We should have taken care of them first. We should have made sure they were sorted out first. After all, weren’t we taught this basic principle at home, growing up: charity begins at home? Don’t we look after our own first?
Granted, maybe 21 years may not be nearly enough to have eased the needs and wants of everyone living below the bread line in SA, but just look at what we are faced with now!
While one may say it’s easy to say, feel and observe all this in hindsight, often it takes bad decisions and even worse experiences to learn and grow. We should be big enough to admit our mistakes but more so, make sure we don’t repeat them. Our so-called leaders (both urban and rural) will do well to remember this apt adage in leading the people of SA: “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
Because at present for many of us patriotic South Africans and the whole wide world watching, our uniquely go-to SA phrases like: “We are a rainbow nation” and “The spirit of Ubuntu” just doesn’t wash right now!
SIVA NAIDOO
Seatides