Is It Time for African Countries to Cut Ties with South Africa?
Echo of the Pen
By: Lansana Fofanah
South Africa is currently not a safe place for migrants especially black Africans.
The youths have sent a clear message to other Africans living in their country; leave or you die!
Xenophobic attacks in South Africa refuses to go away, and now it is back!
This time not only on Nigerians residing in South Africa, but all black nationals.
Earlier this year, xenophobic attacks were intensified on the businesses and homes of black Africans living in South Africa.
At first, they claimed that it was about undocumented migrants, foreigners taking their jobs, foreigners participating in crimes. But now, whether you are documented, or legally residing, or doing legal business doesn’t matter anymore.
Police are seen doing absolutely nothing even when distressed tourists approach them amidst mad crowd.
According to statistics, the national murder rate in South Africa is alarming as stands at roughly 36.6 per 100,000 people, a number that is significantly higher than the global average of about 5.6 per 100,000.
So how does someone legally residing and running a provision shop or supermarket or food stores contribute to this?
One of the leaders of the nationwide cracks on black foreigners Nkosikhona Ndabandaba said that they want to redeem their country from the grip of foreigners who have taken over their businesses, jobs and suppress their resources.
This was however condemned by Julius Malema who has been calling for an end to the attacks on black Africans.
According to Malema, most of those African business owners that have been chased away were the ones providing jobs for South Africans. And now that their properties have been vandalized and they had left. The situation will be consequential more than ever.
To demonstrate his government failure in addressing the situation, the Foreign Affairs Minister of South Africa, Roland Lomola also blamed other African leaders for not providing enough jobs and facilities for their citizens which has made them see South Africa as a safe haven.
The Government of Ghana has positively responded by repatriating its citizens since the government of South Africa no longer guarantees their safety.
Minister Lomola’s statement further deepens his government support of the attacks since foreigners have failed to return upon the expiration of their visas, the youths must succeed in doing so.
We are yet to see any of these attackers being arrested.
The current situation in South Africa against black Africans is a betrayal of the trust and support that our great leaders gave at a time when they needed it the most.
June 16 is declared in many countries as the “Day of the African Child” in commemoration of the Soweto Massacre of school children in 1976.
Since South Africans have decided to throw those historic moments away, it is time for other leaders to reciprocate too by cutting ties with them. Since it is time for every country to fix its economy, a proactive action is needed.
News 24 publication.
