Xenophobia Is Not the Way

　　As Africa and the world look on in horror， groups of South African hooligans are hunting other Africans from across the continent living in the country.

　　The most recent xenophobic attacks by mobs wielding machetes and knives bring back the painful memories of 2008， when the country was wracked by violent scenes of assaults on nationals of other African countries. We have seen this movie before - and it’s not pleasant viewing. In fact， xenophobic attacks are an ongoing occurrence across the country， with the latest outbreak said to have been prompted by a speech made in April by the Zulu ethnic group leader King Goodwill Zwelethini. Zwelethini told his followers that foreigners were linked to crime and should pack up and go. However， later he denied he had sparked the violence， saying his words were taken out of context.

　　Unemployed disgruntled sections of South African communities blame African foreign nationals for taking “their” jobs away， undermining locally owned businesses， and contributing to a high crime rate. Jobs in South Africa are already scarce， with the unemployment figure in 2014 topping 25 percent - more than 5 million people. Analysts also point to South Africa’s easy-to-cross-illegally borders， poverty and rising corruption as reasons for the xenophobic attacks.

　　The violent attacks do not distinguish between foreigners who are in South Africa legally and undocumented migrants. Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba was quick to allay fears that the aggression was against foreigners in general. Responding to a question by the Chinese media during a press briefing， he said the violence was in no way aimed at Chinese living in South Africa but was focused on other African migrants from across the continent. He also made a call to countries that continue to invest in South Africa， with the government’s assurance that South Africa is a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law.

　　In an effort to distance the attacks from the stigma of xenophobia， Police Minister Nathi Nhleko described them as examples of “Afrophobia，” which is purely semantics. Whatever name is used， the situation has damaged South Africa’s image internationally. Protests have already occurred at several of its embassies in Africa and with many South African businesses operating across the continent， there are fears that these may be targeted. Malawi and Zimbabwe were quick to arrange evacuation of their citizens who feared for their lives from South Africa and there have been calls from African countries for boycott of South African goods in a backlash.

　　President Jacob Zuma and senior officials in the South African Government have apologized to the rest of Africa for citizens who have behaved in such a shameful manner， taking steps to eliminate the attacks， restore peace and assist with repatriation.

　　South Africans who favor targeting African foreign nationals need to remember they do not live in isolation. The relationship with the continent is symbiotic in nature. The reconciliatory message of Nelson Mandela， the African spirit of ubuntu (compassion and humanity)， and the concept of Pan-Africanism seem a long way off from the “rainbow nation” right now. However， hope springs eternal and peace-minded South Africans are rallying together to show their support and condemn violence as a solution， no matter what the issues at hand are.

　　THE EDITOR

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