It’s no longer a case of doubting whether truly there is a crazy fear
or loathing of other black people from diverse African countries,
which every so often culminates in prejudices or discrimination
and social segregation, or in slurs, stereotyping, violence or death;
it’s more about what is the South African government doing about
this firm anti-foreigner sentiment, what are the affected African
countries saying and doing about it, and who is pushing and puffing
its fires. Who is breastfeeding xenophobia, financially or politically?
Despite having Africa’s most industrialised economy, South Africa
is dogged by political and socio-economic disparities and realities
that manifest themselves in high unemployment and inequality.
Up to this day, it is evident that many black South Africans remain
and languish on the margins of Africa’s most industrialised and
white capitalist economy that was not meant to uplift or serve them
but to mentally lull and keep them as victims and aiders of a powerfully
skewed colonial system whose solid political turntables and tentacles
will continue to outlive and outclass a series of misdiagnoses and myopias.
Some reasons given for the resurfacing of xenophobic gripes: illegal entry,
sleaze, poverty, scarcity of jobs, drug-trafficking, a strain on resources.
The anti-migrant marchers bemoan lawbreaking, strained public services
and joblessness. Authorities repudiate that xenophobia is back and alive
but harp on demonstrations against illegal immigration and fake videos.
What about xenophobic tensions? Can they honestly deny or rubbish them?
Can people walk their talk? Is it not insincere to preach about building African
solidarity and unity when their backyards are breeding grounds for bigotry?
Will the demos not fuel prejudice, mob violence, fear among black foreigners?
Amid their worries about xenophobia, they are discreetly directed to exercise
“heightened vigilance” or take precautions, a “low profile” or to remain indoors.
The focal points are the blacks from other African nations. That’s the “rule”—
a decree that is applied selectively. It hounds, accuses and sidelines the blacks.
What about non-black foreigners who might be undocumented or illegal?
So much for their hype about law and order? Is it not about intolerance?
Not every black South African is intolerant. Can this form of South African
“nationalism” come to terms with what is, whose interests it seeks to serve,
what it has done and where it is heading? Any real intervention measures?
For, it is a ticking time bomb waiting to erupt, deface and detach South Africa
from other African nations at a time when the revolutionary talk of a rising,
united Africa is the bold voice of reason and the season, prophecy and purpose.
If xenophobic tensions are on the upsurge, there is rising diplomatic pressure
between South Africa and other African nations. Xenophobia makes one tense.
Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have advised their citizens to be wary
of possible attacks. Nigeria has gone a step further and offered to repatriate
Nigerians amidst uncertainties of xenophobic attacks. Indeed, African nations
are concerned over the safety and wellbeing of their citizens. Social media
is awash with the news of the demonstrations, xenophobic tensions and worries.
One hopes that these will not take a turn for the worse. Any possible resolution?
Diplomacy. Will diplomacy finally deliver the desired remedy or just rhetoric?
Where is the AU? Ghana has urged it to uphold African solidarity and unity.
Warning of a possible backlash if action is not taken, Ghana has now called
upon the African Union to add the critical issue of xenophobia in South Africa
to the June AU meeting’s agenda and to launch a fact-finding mission on it.
Ghana’s letter to the AU states that Africa’s future rests on its people’s shared
dignity, prosperity, and respect for one another. In fact, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign
Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, summoned South African
representatives, and cautioned that continued dithering could encourage vigilante groups
and risk retaliatory actions against South African businesses in Accra. Not small spaza shops!
