There should not be a part of Africa that I can’t enter and live in legally without fear and intimidation. But that’s exactly what South Africa has turned itself into. It has made itself a parish state of sorts for Africans. And this is not just about the citizens but about even the government apparatus. I can almost have no doubt that these repeated xenophobic attacks are systemically targeted hatred towards other Africans.
What is that, ‘go home and build your country’ narrative that is being taunted at other Africans. Is South Africa a paradise, as it stands, even with the investment and support of other countrypeople. Humans are migratory in nature, and there is nothing you can do about that. Let your country be the best place in the world, some citizens will still move. You just have to live with that truth.
South Africans, especially black South Africans, must be educated if they have intentionally deleted portions of deep history from their apartheid story. Africa as a continent – governments, institutions, schools, peoples, individuals, musicians, etc – contributed cash, kind, diplomacy, and innumerable support to whatever they have become today. Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo among others should shudder in their graves tonight as I write this, to see what their progeny are doing to other Africans.
How will Cyril Ramaphosa, a man who was a top witness to all that Africa did, oversee a country that would mete this inhuman treatment to fellow Africans. Even if they had entered illegally, and are engaged in activities that are detrimental to your country’s socioeconomic development, you let them face the law or deport them immediately, not beat, plunder, maim, and kill them.
South Africa has ascended the height of insanity as it concerns its relationship with other Africans. It is important for the African Union to make a forceful statement and effectively dismiss that country until it puts its system in check.
If South Africa can be so insensitive to believe they can live alone and build alone and enjoy alone, it is high time for the African Union to immediately suspend them forthwith from that regional bloc. If you don’t do it, there will be another attack soon. Let South Africa be labeled a pariah among Africans, no-visits, no-investments, and no-trade.
Let other African countries begin to repatriate as many of their citizens that are willing to return home. Ghana has begun. Let Nigeria join. Let Kenya join. Let Tanzania join. Let Zimbabwe join. Let others do same. South Africa needs to realize that it has betrayed the African brotherhood.
#WeAreBlackNotDark