Where is Ubuntu?
Where is our Humanity?
Africans from other countries have been attacked, their shops looted, some even killed. Their crime? Trying to start a better life in South Africa.
Many come from countries that supported the struggle against apartheid. Now they are bullied and victimised by ordinary South Africans and many government officials. Applying for refugee status is a nightmare and people are detained and their human rights overlooked.
People say that Africans from other countries are ‘stealing jobs’. Statistics show that this is not the full picture. Many Africans from other countries have created jobs or take poorly paid, exploitative jobs that South Africans don’t want.
People talk about foreign ‘drug-dealers’. Yes, there are other Africans from other countries involved in crime. But there is no shortage of South African criminals and drug-dealers either. How can we blame all for the sins of one?
South Africa’s problems are many – there is unemployment, corruption in all sectors, and growing inequality. Africans from other countries are not the cause of these problems.
The violence shown to ‘foreigners’ stems from the same violence towards women and children. We need to stand up against violence everywhere, we need to stand up for peace, justice, equality, honesty, compassion, and we need to demand this of our government, our police, and of each other.
Xenophobia stories:
Love Aflame by Michelle Faure
In Search of Happiness by Sonwabiso Ngcowa
Search my Heart by Phoebe Sibomana
Homesick byΒ Kopano Mothibi
A place to call home by Wonanji Phiri
Just Like Me by Ros Haden and Epiphanie Mukasano
Finders Keepers by Ros Haden and Phoebe Sibomana
Them and Us by Lauri Kubuitsile
New Dawn by Ayabonga Mhlana
Essays:
Original Outcast byΒ Emmanuel Mabonzot
Blogs:
Welcome to South Afriphobia by Sicelo Kula
Xenophobia by Themba Emanuel Mashobane
Poetry:
Kilimanjaro in my lap byΒ Epiphanie Mukasano
Resources:
Social Assistance for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in South Africa by UNHCR
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