South Africa: When The Rainbow Loses Its Colors

Is Africa a united continent? Are we serious about being each other’s keeper in Africa? Why should we fight amongst ourselves to the extent of killing each other? February 21^st, 2017 will go down in the history of the African continent as one of the saddest days for Mother Africa. This was a day when some black South Africans decided to attack other nationals in their country. Most of those attacked were Nigerians and other African nationals. Their shops and businesses were vandalized and burnt to the ground. Some of these foreign nationals also lost their lives as a result of these attacks.

Whiles the police moved in to protect the lives and properties of these foreign nationals, the attackers fought running street battles with them. They were complaining about not getting jobs as a result of these foreign nationals taking over jobs that were meant for them. But in my humble opinion and from my readings, these same South African citizens are not ready and willing to take up some of these so called menial jobs which the foreigners have taken up.  The South African government should condemn these xenophobic attacks and put in place measures to curb future occurrences of this nature. My question is, why is it that most black South Africans are still under economic apartheid? Why have they not been empowered economically? Why do they look down on certain menial jobs but when other nationals take up these jobs, they turn around to attack them? Should the ANC government be blamed for these acts of lawlessness being perpetuated by some black South African citizens? Meanwhile, I have not heard the African Union condemn these xenophobic attacks.

Ghana’s Parliament condemned the xenophobic attacks in South Africa and measures have been put in place to safeguard the lives and properties of Ghanaian citizens living and working in South Africa. When the attacks do not stop, I think we should boycott South African products and businesses in Ghana. This will put pressure on their government to act swiftly and curb the xenophobic attacks. Have they forgotten so soon when almost all the African countries came together to help them fight against the apartheid system? What if we also retaliated as it was reported that some Nigerians wanted to vandalize some MTN offices in Nigeria? One thing we should know is that Africans need each other to survive no matter the situation. I am sure the western world would be looking at South Africa with glee and their sensational media houses will have a field day giving 24 hour updates on the situation in South Africa. They always want to project bad news from Africa to the rest of the world. It’s time we proved them wrong. South Africans should be ready to coexist peacefully with Africans from other countries as they are in their country to do legitimate business and also pay taxes to help develop the country. United we stand, divided we fall. Africa must unite.

The Afrophobic Attacks In South Africa

The world went on a jubilation spree when Nelson Mandela was released from prison and this signaled the beginning of the end for the apparthied system in South Africa. I remember that afternoon very well because i was glued to my father's black and white television set. I was so much interested in happenings around the world at that very young age. That was one of the moments i will forever cherish in my lifetime.

I also remember watching the reactions of several world leaders and victory parades held in almost all of the African countries. I still have that nostalgic feeling of that glorious day. Most African countries supported the ANC in their fight against the apparthied regime. This was a brutal struggle and the black South Africans who were in the majority were being discriminated against on several fronts, thus they became fed up with the system and took up arms to fight for their legitimate rights.

Thus, elections were held and Nelson Mandela won with an overwhelming majority to become the first black president of South Africa. They then gradually started to consolidate their rule. Many years have passed and successful elections have been held in South Africa. We were then taken aback when xenophobic attacks against fellow black Africans by South Africans took place with a lot of foreigners loosing their lives and properties. This was somehow stopped and normalcy prevailed.

Fast forward to 2015, we were met once again with attacks on black foreigners by South Africans in the major cities and towns. It seems the police is not doing much to curb and control the situation as shops owned by foreigners are looted and burnt with a number of these foreigners loosing their lives.

My question is, is this how South Africa repays the rest of Africa for helping them get rid of the appartheid regime? What have we done wrong to deserve these barbaric acts? Other African countries can also retaliate by expelling the South African envoys, boycotting South African owned businesses etc etc.

I see these attacks as afrophobic and not xenophobic because only black African foreigners are being attacked. God save our brothers and sisters in South Africa. Those behind these attacks must be found and dealt with. These are crimes akin to war crimes and i hope the ICC is watching. The indictment should come fast for whoever made statements to incite these afrophobic attacks to be hauled before the ICC to face the full rigours of the law.