SA bears burden of Africa’s malaise

22 September 2019

As Nigerians touched down in Lagos from South Africa and xenophobic violence subsided in Gauteng on the back of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s apology to the continent, the time has come for more honest reflection.

The violence that undergirds anti-immigrant protests in our cities is abhorrent. Further, Pan-Africanism is an ideal we must all work toward. Africa, after all, belongs to and must benefit all of her children.

That said, South Africa’s resources can only cater for so much. And so it is important that government departments responsible for ensuring the regulation of entry and exit from our country must work efficiently to ensure we know who the foreigners in our country are and why they are here.

Those who cross crocodile-infested rivers simply to be in SA are sympto­matic of a broader malaise that afflicts Africa. Shortly after his apology, Rama­phosa must have honest conversations with his counterparts about why so many of their people want to risk life and limb to be here. Libya, on the other side, is used by many desperate Africans try­ing to cross the volatile seas to European countries, France in particular. Rama­phosa must talk about the push factors in those countries – the despotism, failing economies, repression and all.

Without these important conversa­tions, we will continue to talk badly after the passing of each president, as we did when Robert Mugabe passed on re­cently, without resolving the factors that make Africans want to be elsewhere but in their countries.

Indeed, xenophobic conduct brings shame to our country. Sadly, government departments like home affairs and the defence force that do not enforce laws and regulations are fuel for this inferno.

Boks need us now more than ever

The performance yesterday by the Springboks, in what was a tough encounter against two-time de­fending champions New Zealand, put a temporary damper on the nation’s hope of a repeat of our 1995 Rugby World Cup performance.

Yesterday’s game was laden with sym­bolism. While the 1995 Boks had one black player – Chester Williams – the team yesterday was led by its first black captain Siya Kolisi.

While yesterday’s results didn’t in­spire, it is important that the Boks re­main focused on the main prize. Kolisi’s marshalling of the team will need to be a consistent feature throughout the tour­nament if the Boks are to bring back sil­verware to a weary but hopeful nation.

The 1995 victory, followed by Bafana Bafana’s glorious conquest in the African Cup of Nations the following year, helped build momentum on former president Nelson Mandela’s reconciliation.

We are hopeful that, when the last ball is kicked in this tournament, Rassie Erasmus’s charges will emerge victorious – with the entire nation be­hind it. Now, more than ever, the nation must throw its weight behind the Boks.


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