Social media platforms have been flooded with opinions, updates, prayers and warnings following the latest outpour of xenophobic violence in South Africa. There isn’t anyone who isn’t aware of what is going on in our country currently, unless you’ve been living under a rock, which I doubt. For many of these foreign nationals South Africa is the only home they know, while others have adopted SA as their home away from home.
Xenophobia has once again reared its ugly head. Something as simple as browsing on your phone, reading the newspaper or watching the news can stir so much emotions, anger, disappointment, pity, pain, panic … Shock to see what monsters have been amongst us all along, do they not feel anything to butcher, burn, beat and kill others; hurting innocent little children in the process?
May their parents and all other parents be wise enough to teach their children not to see colour, class or religion, but to see love, unity and equality. How do the suspects of these attacks feel killing and inflicting pain on the very people who played a vital role in liberating us? No one has the right to think their life is more valuable than the next person’s life. All this HATE, where did it come from, has it been building up all along waiting to be triggered.
It now has erupted and is spreading like a bad rash.I must admit to not being a proud South African lately. I can only imagine what it feels like for our continental brothers and sisters, must be like wanting to wake up from a horrible nightmare. I hope and pray all the anger and resentment is dispelled and Africans can learn to love one another for the betterment of the entire continent.
I can only think of how our former president Nelson Mandela would be shaking his head, DISAPPOINTED. Everything historical icons fought for has gone to waste; I hope it isn’t too late to save out continent. It has been argued that this isn’t xenophobia but afrophobia, which is the act of violence. These xenophobic attacks affect everyone!
Can someone tell me what had happened to our rainbow nation? We may not all get along but surely violence and killings are no answer to our prosperity and growth. They are the bricklayers, the petrol attendants, the builders, the artists, the hairdressers, the friends and colleagues who have worked with us and alongside us in our everyday lives.
Each and every one of them came to look for greener pastures, and most of them are supporting families back home. This is so sad!
Just eight years ago violent xenophobic attacks against African immigrants in South Africa left thousands displaced. A number of people were also killed amongst mass looting and destruction of foreign-owned homes, property and businesses. No one should allow what’s happening to tear our rainbow nation’s reputation to shreds; no one should let the idea of Ubuntu be undermined.
