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Something like this was very unexpected, especially from a place like South Africa which prides itself in overcoming one of the greatest obstacles of institutionalized oppression, Apartheid. The feeling across South Africa amongst normal South Africans is “Why is this happening?” Of course, the confusion is justified, during South Africa’s Apartheid days, many were exiled to countries in Africa and elsewhere and were welcomed with open arms.
Now, 14 years after democracy, peace and stabilization was brought to the country we see our own denying the basic human rights of so many for no other reason than they are not “South African”. It’s inhumane and disgusting and we should be ashamed of ourselves for denying our legacy and throwing it back in the face of all those who believed so much in our cause.
The violence had begun in Alexandra township, 5 kilometers from the main Business district of Sandton in Johannesburg and within a week, like some sort of weird idea virus, the violence had spread to Durban in Kwazulu Natal, it spread to Mpumalanga and even to Cape Town. People, foreigners and South African citizens, began to fear for their lives because the violence was based on something very irrational. In some cases it did not even matter if the people were foregin or not... if they didn’t speak Zulu they were attacked.
For now, we can only hope that this scourge of violence ends and some semblance of peace prevails. The government is dragging its feet unbelievably and we need to come together as South Africans, honouring our legacy and looking for a solution.
Let’s hope thee future holds a brighter light for us, because right now, we’re staring straight into the darkness of our humanity.
RSS 
Sanwali who you are asking to pull the socks up??? South African rich who are reluctant or the poor who are incapable to earn one time food for the day?? and by the way its too late to pull them up. the rich and poor gap is too high and the poor can't think of the socks even let aside pulling. Mebaki is callous and mum...looking for the peace in Zimbabwe, and not concerned with the violence at home and you just wait Mugabe will now head to South Africa to mediate the peace and within a few days peace will flow to South Africa and Zimbabwe with the efforts made by Mebeki and Mugabe...just wait and watch, much is yet to follow.
after getting freedom from the sluggish Apartheid ,ppl have forgotten the sweat for emancipation and the legacy bequeathed by those who gave blood for the freedom. Zimbabwe, Kenya and Nigeria Just to name a few of the sweet Countries that have shown the world how quick we forget others and think of self and start bloodshed. Fie fie!!!
The rest of Africa that had been, and shall continue to be part of the African people’s struggle too, celebrated clearly because of the unlimited sacrifices they made toward the struggle.
From North Africa to the slopes of the Sahara and from the Horn of Africa to the West coast, Mandela and South African people’s triumph was our triumph, the triumphs of the African continent and the triumphs of the freedom loving people of this world.
Then Mandela spoke of the “human disaster” of apartheid thus; “We saw our country tear itself apart in terrible conflict... The time for healing of wounds has come... Never, never again will this beautiful land experience the oppression of one by another.”
And urging forgiveness Mandela said in Africaans: “Wat is verby verby” – “What is past is past.”
But where is this today? South Africans seemed to have short memory. How can a people that have suffered too much not hold-on for a minute to the suffering of their own brothers? Those (refugees) that are knocking at their doors today are the very ones who once welcomed South Africans with open hands. Treated them like brothers and fed and together, mourned with them.
Uganda, like many African countries like Zimbabwe, dedicated their effort toward the liberation of South Africans.
Gen. Godfrey Ngwenya, the Chief of South African National Defence Forces, on his recent visit to Uganda described President Museveni as a living legend ranked among the great African freedom fighters like Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah.
He also equated President Museveni to the likes of Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela (both former South African ANC party leaders), Jomo Kenyatta (Kenya), Mwalimu Julius Nyerere (Tanzania), Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia) and Agustino Netto (Angola).
He said President Museveni did not only fight to liberate Ugandans, but has also dedicated his efforts towards liberation of people in other African countries like South Africa which was ruled by racists.
Oh… People of South Africa! What has gone into your minds? So fast you forget. Could it be that you are not rightly guided by your leaders.
Then we should remember the wise words of Madiba Mandela on lessons of leadership.
In The Making of a Leader, “Guide Them From Behind”
Richard Stengel write: While walking across the hills above his village some years back, Nelson Mandela recalled a lesson from his youth ...
“When you want to get a herd to move in a certain direction,” he said, “you stand at the back... A few of the more energetic cattle move to the front and the rest of the cattle follow. You are really guiding them from behind.”
With a smile he added, “This is how a leader should do his work.”
So to President Thabo Mbeki and Robert Mugabe, my question is; “What has happened to cattle? And where are the few energetic ones to move to the front?
George Santayana
The foundation of the current xenophobia crisis stems from the deep poverty of the people, their lack of education, and what they see as illegal ”intruders” into their country taking away all the jobs and money which should rightfully be theirs.
In the end all it boils down to is the South African govt. doing a VERY inadequate job of running the country and taking care of its people.
@Graeme you are correct,
@Sanwali you’re dead on, the govt. needs to move and fast, with a long term plan
@ the rest, I think the above addresses some part of it, thanks for your comments, what South Africa really needs right now is some positive Solutions.
