ON THE HIGHLY CONDEMNABLE XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS ON NIGERIANS, FOREIGNERS IN SOUTH AFRICA – THE URGENT NEED FOR PRESIDENT BUHARI, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO TAKE DRASTIC STEPS

By Zik Gbemre

While we strongly condemn the renewed spate of xenophobic attacks being carried out by South Africans against Nigerians and other African nationals residing in their country, we are saddened the more with the somewhat indifferent, slow and lackadaisical disposition of the Federal Government of Nigeria and members of the National Assembly, over the unwarranted attacks and killings of its citizens in South Africa. The said xenophobic attacks in South Africa that is directed at migrants and migrant workers/businesses, especially of African origin, which according to reports began few days ago with locals attacking and looting properties owned by fellow Africans including Nigerians; can best be described as senseless, baseless, barbaric, inhuman and absolutely uncalled for. The said attacks which reportedly began in Jeppestown area of Johannesburg when a building was set ablaze by an angry mob, who looted several shops that were around the vicinity owned by Nigerians and other African nationals, has already spread to other places like Jules Street in Malvern, and other areas. There is no justification whatsoever that would warrant such unprovoked attacks by South Africans against their fellow Africans.

As expected, the widespread anger in Nigeria over the xenophobic attacks in South Africa has also triggered protests across the West African nation, with many of the protesters targeting South African businesses in Nigeria like the Mobile Telecommunications company MTN; Multichoice, owners of the Digital Satellite Television DSTV and the supermarket chain Shoprite, among other South African companies operating in Nigeria. While we would not subscribe for any sort of retaliation against South Africans and their businesses in Nigeria, because violence cannot be used to address violence, however, we urge the South African Government and its people to get their acts together and stop all the hate against Nigerians and their fellow Africans living and doing business in their country.

Let us bear in mind this is not the first time, neither does it seem it’s going to be the last, that xenophobic attack incidents will be observed in South Africa, especially against Nigerians, most of whom are there to hustle and fend for their families. This unhealthy and condemnable situation keeps reoccurring. It is not enough for the Federal Government, to as usual, come out with a press statement to condemn these attacks, we need to see Mr. President, as the Commander In Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces who swore an oath to protect the lives and territorial integrity of Nigeria and its citizens (wherever they are), to come out and take drastic steps to teach the South African Government and its people a lesson they will not forget in a hurry. The US and UK Government for instance, will never tolerate or accommodate any sort of attack by other foreigners against its citizens abroad, no matter the justifications. Such things are unheard of. So, why should the Federal Government of Nigeria and Lawmakers allow its Nigerian citizens be slaughtered at will, and their lifelong struggles/businesses burnt down by South Africans, and they are there doing practically nothing tangible to address the situation? Or at least take steps to safeguard the lives of its people.

Somebody by the name Bishop, posted online over this issue, and what late Gen. Sani Abacha would have done by now, if he was still in Aso rock and Nigerians are maimed in South Africa. As harsh as this may sound, he noted that if it were Abacha: “By Now, The South African Ambassador In Nigeria Would Have Arrived South Africa, By Now, MTN Would Have Been Nationalized, By Now, DSTV Signal Would Have Been Jammed, By Now, Shoprite Would Have Been Sealed Off, By Now Nigeria Ambassador In South Africa Would Have Been Recalled, By Now, 20-40 Cargo Planes Would Have Been Sent To South Africa To Bring Nigerians Home, By Now, Two Nigeria Naval War Ships Would Have Been Sent To South Africa, etc.”

Though, Abacha is not a name to be mentioned in a democratic setting due to his draconian decrees to permanently rule Nigeria and force the Abacha dynasty on Nigeria, but the point the writer was trying to make here is that, with what is happening against Nigerians in South Africa, “by now”, one would have expected some of the stated drastic measures and steps taken by the current Federal Government of Nigeria under Buhari and the National Assembly members.

We are aware that the National Assembly members are currently on recess, but what exactly are they recessing when their Nigerian Citizens are being killed and their businesses destroyed in South Africa? Are they telling us that they are not aware of the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians currently in South Africa? As Representatives and Lawmakers of the Nigerian people, we expect the National Assembly members to call-off their recess and assemble immediately to address this situation.

President Buhari, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, urgently need to take a more serious approach and line of action to address this xenophobic situation in South Africa. If not, more attacks will arise and it will consume both black Africans and the minority white South Africans in South Africa. When they consider the recent press statement made by South African Deputy Police Minister, Bongani Mkongi, then they would understand why there are 116 registered extrajudicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa, and the reoccurring xenophobic attacks Nigerians in that country, in the last couple of years. After examining these things, then the Nigerian officials would realize that indeed, they need to take more drastic measures.

After the death of Nelson Mandela, I predicted that South Africans will one day attack the white minority and other nationals in their country. And now, it is first happening to African foreigners there. Nigeria needs to take a very drastic action, as suggested by Bishop, to put to end to this South African madness. South African businesses like DSTV and MTN should be nationalized and taken over by Nigerians to teach the black South Africans a lesson – that they cannot eat their cake and have it. Nigeria should immediately close their embassy in South Africa and send their Ambassador home. Nigeria should take chattered cargo planes to bring home Nigerians in South Africa. Some other countries might imitate South Africa, if drastic actions are not taken.

The world leaders honoured Mandela before and after his death because of his struggle for his country and the maturity he displayed after attaining independence for South Africa from the grips of Apartheid. he preached the message of “reconciliation” because the whites thought he was going to revenge them for the wrongs they had done against black South Africans, as was done by the strong man of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe.

South Africa, undoubtedly became the world capital for liberty in the 20th century! The deafening collapse of Apartheid, thanks to countries like Nigeria, and the repeal of separatist laws (the most repugnant being the Reservation of Separate Amenities Act, Act No 49 of 1953 that profiled all public amenities, public buildings, and public transport with “EUROPEANS ONLY” and “Non-Europeans Only” signs), marked the end of history of oppression of black majority by the white minority in South Africa.

With such profound and defining history, one then begins to wonder what is the justification for the latest round of xenophobic attacks against African immigrants in South Africa, which was reportedly instigated by the Zulu King in the Kwazulu-Natal region in South Africa. Mandela brought both sides together and the world recognized this. But as today, there is no more Mandela to teach his people to discern what is right and wrong. And it is obvious the present leaders of South Africa under President Ramaphosa, lacks the “Mandela wisdom”. It is so sad and disheartening to see black South Africa commit unspeakable atrocities against fellow black Africans in a country that has produced iconic freedom fighters and advocates for racial equality.

It is time for the Nigerian Government to teach South Africans and their Government a lesson of their lives. It seems they have all forgotten the leading role Nigeria played to liberate black South Africans from the white minority apartheid government. The current action of the Nigerian Government, by sending a so-called Special Envoy to South African President to discuss the xenophobic attack issue, is rather slow and would not really address the problem because, this is not the first leaders of both nations have met to talk and talk and continue talking about this same issue. until something drastic, as suggested above, is urgently done, they will continue to attack Nigerians left, right and center – not only in South Africa but other countries. The said special envoy to South Africa is totally uncalled for. Enough of the talking, it is time to take action. This is no longer xenophobia, but complete genocide. The South African leaders are talking to their people too late.

The only advice we can give to South Africa and its Government is to promote Civic Education among its citizens to let them know that many Africans sacrificed for the liberation and the freedoms South African’s enjoy today. South Africans need some tolerance of other Africans in need of economic survival, for no country is an island in itself and no country, no matter how advanced or powerful, can thrive in isolation of others. Let us as Africans, see ourselves as one irrespective of differences in nationalities, traditions and religions. Their justification for the xenophobic attacks – that foreign African national like Nigeria and others, are taking over their lands, businesses, and jobs, do not make sense because there are ways the South African Government can regulate the influx of foreigners into their country. More so, they can have a system of taxation that would increase their internal revenue from foreigners. Dubai today is filled with foreigners and their businesses, but you do not see the citizens of Dubai attacking foreigners. Why, because they see them as an “economic opportunity”. Same with the United States of America, that is filled with foreigners from different parts of the world. Canada is also another country where foreigners from all walks of life are allowed to reside, without being threatened like we see in South Africa. So, what South Africans are complaining about or seeing as “threats” is actually an “economic opportunity”, which they can use to their country’s benefit.

It is also imperative for the Nigerian Government at all levels to strive to make the country conducive and comfortable for its teeming population, especially our young adults. So as to stop our young adults from massively trooping out of the country to South-Africa and other foreign nations in search of greener pastures.

Zik Gbemre,

September 4, 2019.

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