Share

"You are safe here... welcome to Ethiopia" - SA explorer expresses shame over xenophobia

Cape Town - Explorer, philanthropist and all round colourful character, Kingsley Holgate, has expressed his shame over the recent spate of xenophobic attacks that broke out across South Africa earlier this week. 

In a post on their Facebook page, the Kingsley Holgate Foundation said that on their many humanitarian and geographic expeditions into Africa, they had received 'much in the way of kindness and hospitality' in neighbouring countries. 

"The continued senseless killing, violence and lawless looting of the last few days makes us ashamed and on behalf of the vast majority of peace loving South Africans, I'd like to send condolences to those who have lost loved ones and to say 'Ndikupepesa' - we are TRULY SORRY!!" the post read.

Making the message even more personal, the post was accompanied by a photograph of Holgate and a man named, Mohammed Moyale, a money changer who had recently helped them cross the border into Ethiopia.

Moyale chatted to them in broken Zulu, telling them that he had done business in South Africa, but that xenophobia and the related death of his brother had chased him back to his home country. 

"But he still helped us and made us welcome in Ethiopia 'Here you are safe..welcome to Ethiopia.'"

While he has undertaken a variety of incredible adventures on the African continent, Holgate's most famous feat thus far is the 448-day 'Outside Edge' journey, a geographic and humanitarian expedition to trace the outline of the African continent and raise awareness about Malaria prevention.  

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How often do you go to the cinema to watch new movies?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Often - nothing beats the big screen
2% - 26 votes
Hardly - I prefer streaming online
66% - 733 votes
Sometimes - it depends on the film release
32% - 354 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
19.15
-0.7%
Rand - Pound
23.82
-0.6%
Rand - Euro
20.39
-0.5%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.30
-0.5%
Rand - Yen
0.12
-0.6%
Platinum
950.40
-0.3%
Palladium
1,028.50
-0.6%
Gold
2,378.37
+0.7%
Silver
28.25
+0.1%
Brent Crude
87.29
-3.1%
Top 40
67,190
+0.4%
All Share
73,271
+0.4%
Resource 10
63,297
-0.1%
Industrial 25
98,419
+0.6%
Financial 15
15,480
+0.6%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE