This is really sad when we continue to see people condoning xenophobic attacks in other part of the country. We, as South Africans, forget so easily that during the apartheid struggle most of our political leaders were accommodated in some of these neighbouring countries but today we think we are much better to a point that we think issues must be resolved through violence. Are we aware South Africa cannot survive on its own, but there must be good synergies between South Africa and other countries? Let's not be narrow-minded. I must also call upon all influential leaders in all areas of the country to stop making ambiguous comments about foreign nationals as that may mean something else to the community. Sometimes the best answer one can give is to be silent other than mislead the nation. Stop the killings of our African brothers and Sisters.
Violence has never been an option to solve issues. It is high time we need to educate our person that killing one another will never be a solution to the problem. South Africans must find ways to deal with issues other than resorting to immoral actions. I also call upon the government to review the immigrants’ policies/laws as this might as well be one of the causes of this xenophobic problem we are facing today.
Why some, not all?
The fact of the matter is that in South African institutions of higher learning, we have got a huge number of lecturers who are foreign nationals. These foreign nationals in universities are playing pivotal roles in educating and mentoring our South Africans to become better people so that they are independent and are in a good position to fight socio-economic challenges facing the country. Most of these lecturers work hard to secure bursaries and scholarships in some of the African and international countries for students who come from disadvantaged families. The big question is why in most cases during this kind of attacks, they (lecturers) are not affected. The answer is that most of these South Africans who initiate this kind of unwanted crime are allergic to books. Most of these criminals are very lazy but yet they expect a good life. How can you say someone is taking a job from you? Like really?
Advice to South African communities
For as long as you are in love with shortcuts to achieve your goals while other people are investing most of their times in education, you will always be a victim of that shortcut. I would humbly like to advise all South Africans to start realizing the importance of education and believe you me, we wouldn’t really have a situation that is currently prevailing in Kwa Zulu Natal and other parts of the country. Amongst other values that one of our own national icon, the late Nelson Mandela always preached about, was education. He encouraged all people (young and old) to be educated, as he believed that education is the strongest weapon to fight poverty and hunger. Let’s be obsessed about achieving diplomas, degrees, and PHDs so that we can compete against other countries.
To the families that lost their loved ones as a result of these irregular attacks, I would like to pass my condolences and may the great Lord be with you during these difficult times. I call upon South African police to act swiftly in arresting those perpetrators so they can face justice. No one has a right to kill another person. That’s a well know law that I expect all citizens of this country to master. One doesn’t have to go to school to know that. It is straight and forward.
Stop the killings. We are one. Africa unite!
Concerned South African
John Lehlaka Masekoameng