African governance much to answer for

EVERY time the hysteria of so called xenophobia runs rampant in our mass media, little is said about the genesis, and genuine cause of it. I get filled with revulsion and resentment when African foreign diplomats start pontificating to us about morality.

The fundamental reason of their citizens flocking here in droves is a consequence of lack of governance in their own backyards. They must concentrate their energies in creating conducive socio-economic conditions that will create jobs, sound medical and agricultural infrastructure facilities for their desperate citizens. The propensity for chaotic elections that often culminate in riots and lawlessness due to leaders who intend to perpetuate their stay in power, is another cause for citizens to flee.

Throwing stones at South Africa will not help. They stay in glass houses. The number of African citizens drowning in oceans around the world is a serious and diabolical indictment on African governance.

The ANC seems to have got it right this time. President Cyril Ramaphosa hit the nail when he said people come here and set up businesses without trading licences.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi was right to complain about the overburdened health services. Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba too was correct to complain about hijacked buildings in the CBD. Not forgetting Premier David Makhura’s remarks about drug peddling and general illicit behaviour. The list of examples is many. The problem is that South

Africans forget quickly.

Another reason is the removal or laxity of influx control at all ports of entry in the country. There is no country in the world that allows a free-for-all at its borders. Worst still to allow foreign citizens to open trade which is not registered, not meeting any basic statutory health standards, and, worst of all not ,contributing to the fiscus in any way.

Having said all this, we are made to feel guilty, and demanded to reprimand South Africans by these supercilious diplomats. What a cheek!