Xenophobic attacks overshadowing talks
THE issue of xenophobic violence in parts of the country threatens to overshadow talks at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting, which starts today in Cape Town.
The African Diaspora Forum has announced that it will be lobbying delegates to address the recurring violence. Chairperson Vusi Sibanda said: “We will be at the WEF to send our disapproval against unprovoked xenophobic attacks.”
Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who is heading his country’s delegation, said: “We are currently in consultation with the South African government on the urgent need to put in place measures to end these acts of violence against our people.
Over 1 000 delegates, mainly from African countries, are gathering to discuss strategic priorities for the AU’s Agenda 2063.
In the last week alone, attacks on truck drivers identified as foreign nationals were reported in Cape Town, while in Pretoria and Johannesburg shops apparently owned by foreign nationals, mainly Nigerians and Somalis, were looted. Yesterday, the MTN Group said: “As MTN we strongly condemn prejudice and xenophobia, and we reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of any violence.
“As a leading pan-African telecommunications company with operations in 21 countries, MTN believes in the potential of an Africa whose nations pursue deeper trade, integration and co-operation.” According to Tralac (Trade Law Centre), “In 2018, South Africa exported and imported goods to and from the rest of Africa to the value of $25 billion (R377bn) and $11.5bn, respectively. Intra-Africa exports account for 26% of South Africa’s total exports and imports for 12% of total imports for 2018.”
Wesgro, the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, said: “Western Cape is a global exporter, with exports from the Cape to the rest of Africa amounting to over $3.2bn.”
Bhekithemba Mngomezulu, an expert on regional politics and international relations from UWC, said: “Given the socio-political upheavals in South Africa, no investor would want to invest in a country where the killings happen in a rampant manner.”
On the question of why only foreigners from Africa were attacked, he said: “The apartheid mentality, which locates whites at the top of the social hierarchy, has not dissipated. Whites are accorded the investor status and are therefore left unharmed. Also, white people from other countries do not seem to pose a threat for jobs compared to black Africans.”
TWENTY-FIVE years into our democratic dispensation and South Africa has failed, miserably, to deal with violence in our society – specifically that which targets women and girls.
This past week would have been difficult for many to digest.
On Friday, Leighandre Jegels – world female karate, continental and SA boxing champion – was shot in East London by her estranged boyfriend, Bulelani Manyakama, who later died from injuries he sustained in a subsequent car crash.
Also on Friday, a Cape Town youth activist, Jesse Hess, 19, was found murdered, along with her grandfather, Chris Hess, 85, in their Parow apartment. Police suspect that the young woman was raped.
Even though Jegels had taken out a “protection order” against Manyakama, that did not guarantee her safety. Many women in violent relationships with their intimate partners can testify to this.
Almost a week after first-year student Uyinene Mrwetyana, 19, had gone missing, a post office worker was arrested and charged with her rape and murder.
While these murders have rightfully been greeted with outrage, perhaps because they made news headlines, the violence visited upon these young women should also serve as an opportunity for us as South Africans to pause and do some introspection.
South Africa has one of the highest rates of rape and femicide in the world. According to official statistics, one out of five South African women has been subjected to physical violence.
Femicide should be treated as a national emergency. Our leaders need to state unambiguously that we can’t be a successful nation if we continue to abuse and murder women and young girls.
Parents and guardians to young boys should start to question the values they are reinforcing. We need to take a fresh look at masculinity.
What does it mean to be a man? It certainly does not mean being violent to those who are physically weaker.
While this may not be a popular opinion amid the hysteria, the risk of a death penalty won’t sway the mind of someone who is already predisposed to murder.
Until we address our culture of violence, women and young girls won’t be safe in their homes, at schools or even a post office.