‘Ungrateful’ SA targets Nigerians

The ongoing attacks on Nigerian nationals in some parts of South Africa are “criminal ingratitude” by South Africa to the role played by Nigeria in liberating the country, according to an analyst.

“Apartheid is one dark era in the history of South Africa that the country should be eternally grateful to Nigeria for her role in bringing the era to an end,” said Nigerian analyst Jude Ndukwe.

Ndukwe said Nigeria was the first country to provide direct financial aid to the now-ruling ANC from the ’60s while in the ’70s, Nigeria supported the ANC and the Pan Africanist Congress annually with $5 million (R64 million) to help them in the struggle.

Nigeria set up a programme to cater specifically for their educational needs and general welfare through the Southern Africa Relief Fund (SAFR) to which then-president General Olusegun Obasanjo contributed $3.7 million.

Obasanjo made a personal donation of $3 000, while every member of his Cabinet made donations of $1 500 each to the South African cause.

Ndukwe added that civil servants gave 2% of their income to the fund, then known as the “Mandela Tax”.

“Students joyfully skipped their lunch at school just to be able to contribute to the fund.”

Ndukwe said that in six months, the fund had amassed $10.5 million sent to the South Africans. According to SAFR, 86 South African students were educated in Nigeria free of charge.

Ndukwe said it is estimated Nigeria spent well over $61 billion between 1960 and 1995 to help fight apartheid.

“Yet, when the South African icon Nelson Mandela died, it was the leaders of the Western nations that had turned their backs on South Africa in their times of need that were given prominent roles and front seats, while Nigeria and other African countries were relegated to obscurity,” said Ndukwe. – ANA

The country should be eternally grateful to Nigeria for her role in bringing the era to an end.

Jude Ndukwe Nigerian analyst