Anybody who think that the recent attacks on foreigners by the machete wielding mobs, is executed by thugs, must think again. Without warning South Africa, like Zimbabwe has suddenly found itself in a decisive moment in the post apartheid history. The demographic class layers of a free South Africa has finally came out of the closet. "A hungry man is an angry man," goes the English saying. First of all, for me as a Zimbabwean and a foreigner in other people's lands. I can easily identify with my brothers , uncles, cousins and friends in South Africa. I therefore condemn in the strongest terms, the brutality of the so called xenophobia.
I join the Mandelas, Bishop Desmond Tutus and the rest of the civilised community in pleading for peace and tranquility in the motherland. The tragedies and traumas experienced by those families is inexcusable. No one deserves such treatment, especially in the same land where the evil of apartheid was once manifested. This, however has proved that we as Africans, do not have respect for each other. We value other people more than we value ourselves. This is the mentality we derived from both colonialism and apartheid.
In all that, I cannot help but feel for both the victims and the perpetrators. These people have one thing in common. Poverty. Poor and hopeless people have no regard for one another. To them life is a "dog eat dog" way of survival. They have suffered too long such that in their minds, they think the only way out for them is getting rid of these (makwerekweres) foreigners. I don't like to think that they are really against foreigners. They are doing anything to get attention. They feel nobody is listening to them. They are trying to talk to their elected leaders who promised them heaven and earth.
South Africans have a dual problem right now. First, to solve these outrageous crimes that can potential, harm the country's image ahead of the of World Cup in 2010. Secondly, to try and possible maintain or control the immigration problem. This is important especially seeing the elections are scheduled next year. What ever they do, will have serious consequences and implications. To the majority of the people of South African voters, who recent have shown discontent in the present leadership.
There is no way which the ANC lead government will have it both ways. President Thabo Mbeki, in an effort to show seriousness in this issue has approved the use of the South African army. Army spokesman Sam Mkwanazi (not related to the writer) downplayed the employment of the army as a "normal procedure that is done to help the police."
Meanwhile the South African government has promised that they are not going to deport the displaced foreigners. The government has surprisingly proved sympathetic to the immigrants at such a time. One wonders how long they are remain hospitable to foreigners, and jailing their own local people who are looting, killing and raping women and children. I applaud the government for providing temporary solutions, and yet the need for permanent solution is crucial.
The deployment of soldiers by the ANC lead government mighty further complicate issues. This could trigger the old wounds between the IFP and ANC. The people who go around killing and torturing immigrants, call themselves Zulus. The last thing that country needs is the war between ANC and IFP. Some other South African local tribes have also been targeted in this outrageous and notorius campaign.
The only person who can unite the two is Jacob Zuma.The man Zuma is awaiting trial for corruption allegations. Zuma has so much support from Durban and other Zulu areas. Whatever the outcome of the trial, Zuma must be free. However, this does not mean that he can salvage the whole situation. It could even be the fact that some people are seeing him as a necessary evil against the ANC Xhosa lead govt. These are the people he needs, come elections next year. They are even singing his song, Awulethe umtshini wami.
The Zulus without regard to political affiliation are ready to welcome their own to the South African throne. Anything less than that could prove disastrous. This is not a small thing for them. The deployment of soldiers must accompany serious talks behind the scenes. There is a mixture of truth, lies , deception and perception.
COMING TO ZIMBABWE.
Zimbabwe is obviously undergoing a very much difficult time in many respects. I would not want to mix Zimbabwe's problems and South Africa's problems, but somehow they link. This is obviously because of the shared borders and cultures. To put it simple, Ndebele is a language taken from Zulu. Ndebele King Mzilkazi was a Zulu, who founded the modern day Ndebele nation in Zimbabwe.( across the river Limpopo). Without going deep into the historic cultural background. I would say the European styled way of leadership and government we inherited, undermines our cultural relations. UBUNTU BETHU.
I should not be misunderstood to say that only the Ndebele must have a right to go to South Africa and vice verse. NO. Such cultural relations would be a starting point and not limited. South Africa, like Zimbabwe is a multi cultural nation. I have to begin where I know. The failure or delay by the Zimbabwean government to allow Ndebeles to have their own ceremonial King is also to blame for this mess. If the Shona lead government of Zimbabwe, had good relations with Ndebele people, and the Zulu have a good relations with Ndebele, no one will fear another. The same could be said of Zambia and Malawi. These were also affected by the mfecane migration. Mefcane was the time of trouble in Zululand in the Mid 1800 century.
Many times the Ndebeles have sought ties with Zulu, the only thing lacking being the approval from Harare. We have more that unite us as south Africans( abantu abansundu) than what divide us. This is trtue even without regard to the languages.The diplomatic ties within the two countries must address the immigration problem. These two countries have a lot to gain from each other. Zimbabwean workers are driving the economy of South Africa. And also at stake is trade and tourism partnerships.
This does not mean that they should share the same political opinion.
Silent no more.
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