SA’s freedom in the eyes of the rest of Africa

“I came from Kinshasa, where I grew up because it is safer here than there. We had a lot of war. Some people are difficult in South Africa, but some will help you. Depends. Some of them know why you are here, then it’s better. We want to be here because South Africa is part of Africa and we are here because South Africans got their freedom. It’s only if South Africa is

independent, that the rest of Africa can be free.” “We are all happy. Everyone was happy when South Africa became free. We all know it and remember it. We watched it on TV because we wanted to see what happened. It’s a bit difficult when you get here in the beginning, but after two or three years, it’s not so difficult anymore. I will always be thinking about Ghana, but I have to look for opportunities to make a living. It is not so easy where I come from because

everyone’s trying to do the same thing.” “Before South Africa got freedom, there was no way of coming here to visit. Now you can come here and see a lot of people you know. If you’re in Ghana, you can’t stay in one place. We are all Africans and because of that, you know you can go anywhere. Before I came here, I was also doing the same thing I do here – making dresses for people – in Ghana. Now we’re glad we can come in here and try to make a life.” “I was still young when South Africa got freedom and I was happy at my home, but later on I thought it would be better for me to come and try to see what it’s like here. We don’t know everything about it, but we try our best. As we get to know more South Africans, we get to understand more, we are hoping nothing will change. We don’t leave Nigeria because we hate it. We want to see the world.” *