DEAR Editor,-
The widespread xenophobic violence across South Africa, including the assault of foreign truck drivers and burning of trucks, must be condemned for the brazen criminality that it is.
Such conduct is completely against the spirit of ubuntu and there can be no excuse for communities’ socio-economic frustrations to be misplaced onto foreigners.
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Our country’s current situation must be placed solely at the feet of this ANC government.
Concurrently, the South African justice apparatus must arrest, put on trial and enforce the harshest sentences against perpetrators.
Having recently spent two months is the US as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, I am appreciative of the opportunity to spend time with 25 amazing Young African leaders.
The greatest take out is that, as South Africans we are part of a bigger African family.
From Cape Verde to Kenya, from Chad to Lesotho, we are one continent with people from different cultures, languages and religions. But we are all united in our diversity.
It is our networks with nations and peoples across the African continent that is South Africa’s greatest strength.
Numerous studies have shown that foreign nationals are employers of South Africans during this time of high unemployment.
They teach our children, treat our sick and assist our country in numerous ways.
At the same time, any criminality perpetrated by South African or foreign migrants must face the full might of the law.
As a constitutional democracy, the rule of law is one of our supreme tenets.
It is time that South Africa’s communities to work to rebuild the spirit of ubuntu and unity in diversity. We must all play our part.
DR RISHIGEN VIRANNA, MPL
DA Spokesman
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