South Africa: Country's Soul On Ice
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FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
EDITORIAL
27 June 2008
Posted to the web 5 September 2008
Publisher
A week ago African immigrants of Zimbabwean, Mozambican and Malawian origin were attacked by men with guns and iron bars in Alexanda South Africa, chanting xenophobic slogans such "kick the foreigners out".
The victims had to seek refuge at the local police station, while others flee to other townships for security. This did not quench the assault. Their shacks were burnt down and their properties looted.
The violence has since spread to other areas. Since Friday, 16 May, 12 people have been killed in Johannesburg in connection with xenophobic attacks.
Tear gas and rubber bullets are being used to stop the attacks but to no avail.
The most disturbing news entails the attack of a church in the Cleveland area, where the immigrants sought refuge. Armed youths have used guns and knives, which led to the hospitalisation of over 50 people for gunshot or stab wounds.
SABC radio has reported opinions that the situation was getting out of police control as immigrants run into police stations in Johannesburg carrying whatever belongings they have. Hundreds of them are now being provided shelter by the Red Cross.
Review
The South African Government has promised to establish a panel of experts to look into the problem. It is however important for the panel of experts to include bishop Tutu who has been warning that South Africa has been losing its soul as the scramble for status and wealth became the order of the day, while the basic contradiction of Apartheid, which created an extremely rich and extremely poor groups of citizens, remains. This is what the experts should have studied before the ANC came up with post apartheid policies. Now, the non South Africans are being blamed for the unemployment and crime rate in South Africa.
A bureaucratic approach to such a study will not do any good. What is needed is a study by people with the moral authority to pioneer a cultural revolution in South Africa, which will be nurtured by a nation-wide debate on her future. They need to universalise the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for it to permeate the whole cross section of South African society so that all the marginalise will be heard and that measures taken to consolidate a sense of common destiny in people. This should awaken the type of community spirit which alone can curb crime and foster good neighborliness. If South Africa fails to do this, the war against foreigners should be seen as a prelude to a more devastating violence as those hardened from their hatred for foreigners turn against the privileged groups in South Africa.
Police have been trying to restore order in Diepsloot township
Relevant Links
The government is racing against time and should act now.
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Copyright © 2008 FOROYAA Newspaper. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
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