Xenophobic Rage Spreads in South Africa
May 19th, 2008 | Published in Africa, Human Rights, Immigration, South Africa | 3 Comments
I’m speechless following the appalling attacks on immigrants in Johannesburg.
Media reports carry the details of the xenophobic attacks orchestrated by some angry black south Africans:
On Monday, men wielding clubs and sticks patrolled along the road near one camp — apparently South Africans trying to prevent foreigners from returning, The A.P. said.
This latest outbreak of xenophobia began a week ago in the historic township of Alexandra and has since spread to other areas in and around Johannesburg, including Cleveland, Diepsloot, Hilbrow, Tembisa, Primrose, Ivory Park and Thokoza.
These attacks are an uncommon manifestation of inferiority complex. It has turned lethal, and simply tagged South Africa as a violent and unfriendly nation.
I wonder now if South Africa even deserves to host the world cup championship in 2010.
Photo: A man set on fire by a mob during anti-immigrant clashes in Johannesburg.
May 19th, 2008 at 6:11 pm (#)
This is pathetic. Are the south Africans so disenfranchised not to see the opportunities the immigrants are tapping?Do they realize that the people they are burning, maiming and killing are from countries that supported the ANC during the apartheid era?
May 20th, 2008 at 11:47 am (#)
The picture above albeit scarry and distressing brings home the seriousness of the situation. South Africa should realise that their country is not the only one populated highly by immigrants. During the pre apartheid era, they too were migrating to other countries. As said above most of the people they are now attacking gave them full support to ensure that apartheid is eradicated in SA. I was of the belief that if you have experienced something bad, you would think twice before inflicting it on others. If the people believe they are being short changed by the presence of immigrants, they could make a representation to their government and have the immigrants sent home. Ghana did this in the “Alata must go era”; Nigeria also did this in the “Ghana must go era”. There is no need to resort to monstrosity and this undescribable violence against innocent men and women who migrated to SA. It is a real pity that this sort of thing could happen amongst us of the same colour and creed. Or is there more to this than being reported for it does not make sense. What is the SA government saying and doing about this. These people they are killing have families and loved ones. How are they coping right now? Very traumatic. This senseless brutality that bothers on savagery must stop.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:10 am (#)
I am a South African living in Europe.
My mother is Angolan and also fled her own country to the “grass is greener” South Africa. She lived in refugee camps and had nothing, just like everyone else now fleeing a miserable existence and looking for something better in SA
My Step-father is Mozambican - also fled home.
This makes them “foreigners”. But it makes them “Extra-Special” foreigners because they are also “European”.
I, being the only one in the family that was BORN in SA (my sister is also a “European Angolan South African!”), am then the only “non-foreigner”!
My question is, would a mob attacking foreigners stop and analyse the “foreigners” - kill my family and leave me be?
Or am I also a foreigner because my ancestors from some time long-gone were from Europe?
My opinion is that people blog about this, even South Africans in Europe blog about this because regardless of what has happened in the past, violence is unnacceptable and will not be tolerated!.
If Mandela taught us anything, if he taught these mobbers anything, it is that one must love, move forward and be tolerant! This is NOT what I think he envisioned for our people!