South Africa Xenophobia Has Increased Significantly Since 1994

South Africa Xenophobia Has Increased Significantly Since 1994

South African xenophobia has increased significantly since the 1994 Democratic election. Although there was a lack of direct data, a study published in 2004 by the South African Migration Project (SAMP) perceived the increase in xenophobic attacks.

The African National Congress (ANC) government, during the reign of President Nelson Mandela, attempted to surmount the past divisions of the apartheid era and construct new practices of social unity. The new government started aggressive and comprehensive projects for the Rainbow Nation in an attempt to unite the people. During this time, there was an increase in the unforeseen byproduct of intolerance toward outsiders. In communities, especially those around underdeveloped townships, there was a visible division caused by bitter feelings and distrust, which began to spark violent action against foreign citizens.

In the study, based on a survey by participating citizens across the country, many South Africans expressed a harsh sentiment toward foreigners. Up to 64 percent of people were in favor of the government settings limits on the number of foreigners entering the country.

The study revealed that police officers in Johannesburg were of the opinion that up to 87 percent of those accused of crimes were undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activities. There is no substantial statistical evidence of this claim.

Immigrants realized that the police could not offer protection and reported that the officers mistreated, stole from them and made unfounded allegations. This was reported to a Burundian refugee representative in March 2007.

There was violence before the first May 2008 xenophobia attacks. Human Rights Watch reported from neighboring countries that during January 1995, foreign nationals living in the township of Alexandra were assaulted physically. Logal armed gangs began the task of identifing migrants who had no legal documentation. The locals then took the migrants to police stations to try to free the community of immigrants.  The 1995 campaign of ridding foreigners was known as Buyelekha (Go Back Home). The locals blamed immigrants for the rise in unemployment, sexual attacks and crime.

In September 1998, a group of South Africans blamed immigrants for the spreading of AIDS and crime and threw two Senegalese and a Mozambican man out of a moving train. During 2000, over a five-week period, up to seven immigrants were killed at the infamous Cape-Flats establishment in South Africa. The killings were labeled as due to xenophobia, instigated by a fear that local property would be claimed by foreigners.

During October 2001, at the informal Zandspruit settlement, the locals ordered Zimbabweans to leave within ten days. When the immigrants failed to do so, the locals burnt the shacks and forcefully removed them from the settlement. The local members expressed being annoyed that the foreigners had worked while they remained jobless.

At the end of 2005 and stretching into the first days of 2006, there were reports that two Zimbabweans were among the four people that died in the township of Olievenhoutbosch. A local man’s death was blamed on the foreigners. Once again, the shacks were burnt and looting occurred.

Read more at http://guardianlv.com/2015/04/south-africa-xenophobia-has-increased-significantly-since-1994/#Ru38G3vLq8eoS7dc.99

South Africa Xenophobia Mushrooms Around the Country

South Africa Xenophobia Mushrooms Around the Country

South Africa erupts into chaos as xenophobia mushrooms throughout the country. President Jacob  Zuma calls the attacks Afriphobia as the violence is mainly black on black. South African locals are not happy with foreigners from neighboring countries, as well as the increasing lack of government response to the situation. The flourishing small businesses set up by foreigners in and around townships in South Africa annoy the locals who are unemployed and struggling to survive. The locals are annoyed that foreigners have taken away jobs; and increasing poverty among the people have been a leading cause of violence. The locals want the foreigners to leave.

Another cause of the violence is the concept that immigrants contribute to the uncontrollable drug problem in the country. The country is on fire, and attacks seem to spring up in different places and the people have spoken and are fed up with foreigners exploiting local opportunities.

The recent xenophobia attacks started in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa and soon spread to the other provinces. Police patrol the streets, shooting rubber bullets at perpetrators in the hope of quelling the attacks. The attackers throw stones and glass at foreigners and police. Several people have died, and the police have confirmed that arrests have been made. This has not helped or curbed the attacks.  The police, it would seem, are unable to cope with the current violence; and fears that the military might be called upon are concerning. Refugee camps have been set up in an attempt to protect foreigners, and both Malawi and Somalia have started a process to repatriate the people affected by the attacks. Many foreigners call the police for protection, and some have no alternative but to flee the crime scene. What decisive action can be taken? During 2008 or as early as 2005 xenophobia attacks sprung up and there was no clear message from leaders to solve this problem.

Under the current circumstances, the South African government must step up the process of communication . There are contradictory messages from leaders. The president says it is a huge problem and the locals must respect the foreigners. Other leaders say it is not a primary concern, but rather small attacks that are controllable. The government says the xenophobia attacks are in fact under control, yet, videos, images and interviews with victims reveal a different story.

The problem of avoiding xenophobia attacks could have been prevented if the documentation of all foreigners entering the country were correctly applied. The theme to eradicate corruption within government departments and using stricter controls to curb African migrants might have reduced the current violence. A little too late, however; it would seem that Zuma does not have the understanding or leadership qualities to take charge of a desperate situation. The speech Zuma presented does not control the violence, speaking from behind a microphone telling parliament and the country that these attacks are condemned does not solve the problem.

A few weeks ago, the Zulu King, Zwelintini uttered annoyance at foreigners within South Africa and said “they should pack their bags and leave.” Within days, a son of President Zuma echoed the King’s sentiments blaming foreigners for crime and corruption. Did this report urge the locals to take up arms and declare war on foreigners? The silent support Zuma has shown for the Zulu king  and son Edward regarding the remarks about foreigners has reached a goal and by not defending the immigrants lives have now been lost

Read more at http://guardianlv.com/2015/04/south-africa-xenophobia-mushrooms-around-the-country/#gWkPVdIIvOCTAX1u.99

We Gave You Life.

If life is the greatest gift of all, then the white man gave the black one life...

Africa tribes people occupied the area and but for the coming of the white man they would not be many more today. Disease, malnutrition, infant mortality and death by spear and burning would have eliminated the majority. The white man came and rid the black communities of the crippling disease, introduced survival tactics, education and more.

In practice, the black community tribal chiefs believe the spirits or ancestors ultimate decide the tribe’s weal or woe. The sacrifice of a child or an animal was and perhaps still the usual practice to appease the spirits and find favor with the people. The tales of African nights stretching back to unknown beginnings, around the huts the shrieks of the old men and women, deafened the silent nights. A young man could not marry until his spear was covered in blood, and so the killings start and in a few minutes it is over, the bodies lay among the embers and the man is gone. Another ordinary black friendless night. The burning, the black on black killing and the chilling sacrifices to appease the tribal rulers.

Today, the educated and affluent African towns-person, with a business, still remains subject to his/her tribe’s communal customs. Today they are bound to the tribe and its tradition, handed down from the remote recesses of time because there is no history as the West knows it.

It might be said that time and patient responsible statesmanship might in time procedure a harmonious solution to the most challenging problem of the world. Perhaps there is no future of improving relationships between white and black people. Perhaps the only long term solution is separate lives in different lands.

After many years of trying to reconcile the vast differences of cultures, with little or no progress, the dark African nights have suddenly and violently returned again. The black on white violence erupts with the killing of farmers, the stoning of cars, torturing whites. The irritations and conflicts to set the different races against each other fomenting an atmosphere of war. This is the original Africa and the life given cannot change the prudent rulings of the tribal chiefs.

Possibly the quote from Douglas Reed sums up this article.

... An overwhelming majority of those who understand the question are in favor of the establishment of separate areas in which each of the two races, black and white, should be permitted to acquire interests in land ... However desirable it may be that members of the two races should live together side by side with equal rights as regards the holding of land, we are convinced that in practice, probably for generations to come, such a policy is not practicable or in the best interests of the two races. Until the Native has advanced very much further on the paths of civilization it is better that the points of contact between the two races should be reduced and a lengthy period afforded for the study of the whole question of the future of the relations between the two races in an atmosphere which is freed as far as possible from the setbacks which would ensue from the irritations and conflicts arising from the constant close proximity of members of races of different habits, ideals and outlook on life.

South Africa: Selective Transformation

Over the past few weeks the young activists have been protesting to have the Cecil John Rhodes Statue removed. Of course the scholarship must stay, they want the money but not statue because it is offensive and reminds the students of colonialists. 

The Selective Transformation post below raises some pertinent questions to the young activities who believe protesting is the answer. Hopefully they can answer the questions raised.

Comment: White Afrikaners still remember their woman and children who died in British concentration camps during the time of Rhodes. Strangely enough, the same Afrikaners managed to live with the Rhodes statue for decades and never called for it's removal. Why? Because it's a historical monument, and although Afrikaners have enough reason to hate Rhodes, he features in English South African history.

English South Africans have been done an injustice. A part of their history has been erased and they have been demonized. The statue of Paul Kruger, who had nothing to do with apartheid by the way, is next. What we're seeing here is a systematic cultural purge.

Foreign nationals are being attacked and their businesses are looted. Minorities are being marginalized. White farmers are being slaughtered daily. Government has instructed foreign nationals to sell their property in SA for the sake of "redistribution". This week Mugabe visited the SA president and they had a good old laugh together about Blaire. The signs are there. SA is going the route of Zim.

These people are not only ignorant but stupid. White South Africans have rights too. These are our historical figures, whether they like them or not.

Comment posted to the Guardian LV article

South Africa Erasing Historical Past by Burning Statues

http://guardianlv.com/2015/04/south-africa-erasing-historical-past-by-burning-statues/#OzFgT9puedy5SKpq.99

I learned I was not, as most Africans believed, the victim of my circumstances but the master of them.

~Legson Kayira

South Africa Erasing Historical Past by Burning Statues

South Africa Erasing Historical Past by Burning Statues

South African students and political members are erasing the historical past, by burning and destroying statues representing the country’s history. The latest incident happened in Uitenhage, Port Elizabeth, when members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) set a War memorial statue on fire.

The University of Cape Town has been in the spotlight over the last few weeks, as students protested and demanded the removal of the Cecil John Rhodes statue and to change the name of the campus. The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) supports the removal of this statue, and a Senate has now approved the removal of the Rhodes statue, although the name change will not happen.

Cecil John Rhodes was indeed a part of the South African history. Without the knowledge, wealth and political insight Rhodes gave toward turning the country into a prosperous country, it would not have been steeped in history. The students selected to forget that South Africa was a barbaric and wild place, and it was the insight of Rhodes that helped shape the lives of many generations to gain a decent education.

Read more at http://guardianlv.com/2015/04/south-africa-erasing-historical-past-by-burning-statues/#YZghISJ9OhqC0zsc.99