DURBAN - THE safety of foreign nationals is once again in the spotlight, with activists saying poverty was the root cause of the recent attacks against foreign nationals living in Durban.
Following several sporadic attacks on foreign vendors in Durban, particularly since last November, community activists, academics, civil society organisations, faith-based leaders, leaders of government and several communities came together on Tuesday for a round-table examining how migration is framed in the public narrative, and on strengthening social cohesion in KwaZulu-Natal.
Human rights and youth empowerment organisation Africa Unite said public policies on migration had been created based on flawed assumptions, misperceptions about the scale and nature of migration, prejudice and fear rather than based on evidence.
“The terminology of ‘us’ and ‘them’ have been used to exclude migrants from the mainstream. In some instances, social commentators and political leaders have used hateful and demeaning language, often for electoral advantage. The public narrative on migration is deeply polarised and often openly xenophobic,” said Africa Unite’s Melusi Mahlaba.
Community activist Blessing Nyuswa said: “We have a R350 (grant) dependency syndrome that was planted in us by a new democracy that we did not even understand. People are hungry, that is why they fall for the things politicians tell them to do.”
Gaby Bikombo, from Refugee Social Services, said: “Whatever legal papers you have do not matter in Durban. Foreign nationals living here have made the conclusion that Zulu people do not like them.”
Abahlali baseMjondolo’s Zandile Nsibane said: “The biological children (South Africans) of this country are hungry and while we were swimming in our own poverty, our government decided to adopt other children (foreign nationals). The reason the children are fighting is because of poverty and I do not know why they attack our brothers who are also swimming in poverty.”
Founder and director of the Institute of Afrikology Dr Yaa Ashanteewa Ngidi said all races in South Africa needed to be in the room when social cohesion was being discussed, and it was important for all African communities to learn more about each other.
“We need to ask why white, Indian and coloured people are not in the room. Is it because they think they don’t have to be? We are all linked to each other and we need common principles that must also show the way of including others and building our own things together for our collective benefit,” said Dr Ngidi.
Daily News