Xenophobia In S Africa: Exposing The Rot Of Unemployment And Poverty In A Nation | World Of Africa

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[00:00:00]The actions of some South Africans against undocumented African migrants has shocked and infuriated the whole continent.

[00:00:08]Nigerians in South Africa are increasingly seeking to return home amid renewed concerns over xenophobic tensions with officials in Abuja confirming that many of those requesting evacuation lack valid residency documents. The development comes as tensions rise following reports of anti-immigration protests and the deaths of two Nigerians in police custody prompting diplomatic engagement between Abuja and Pretoria.

[00:00:35]In Nigeria's capital residents voice concern over the recurring nature of such incidents. Our correspondents Louisa Olaniyi and Calvin Onwuka filed this special report from Lagos and Johannesburg respectively.

[00:00:58]>> [music] >> Armed and ready to fight the illegals.

[00:01:11]>> [music] >> That was the atmosphere in cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria as anti-illegal immigration marches popped up and spread in the last week of April into May.

[00:01:34]Fears of xenophobic attacks creeped back in a nation that has had a dark past with the vice.

[00:01:42]Ghana's High Commissioner advised its nationals to close businesses and keep a low profile while the head of the Nigerian Union of South Africa told its members to remain indoors.

[00:02:01]But we are here to send a message to say listen here. When we say respond and say away to when they say Amandla. We can take them because Amandla wetu anikeze abantu ukuthi bahambe when they mess with such Amandla ethu. That's what we are doing. Yes, this is gently and nicely we wanted to end like that but we don't want to be pushed further than where we are.

[00:02:20]Anti-migrant sentiment has gained political currency in recent years with some believing foreigners are taking jobs and unfairly benefiting from public services.

[00:02:32]Condemning recent attacks on foreigners, President Cyril Ramaphosa used his Freedom Day address marking the country's first democratic elections in 1994 to also remind his country of their debt [music] to other nations on the continent in supporting their struggle against the racist system of apartheid.

[00:02:53]We are a people who live the value of Ubuntu.

[00:02:58]We should never allow the legitimate concerns of our communities about illegal migration to breed prejudice and hatred towards our fellow Africans. We should not allow that to happen. At the center of black on black hatred is a state-sponsored and capital-sponsored hatred to distract you from giving you economic opportunities.

[00:03:35]To blame to make you blame wrong people for your misfortunes.

[00:03:41]There's no Zimbabwean that took your land from you.

[00:03:44]There's no Zimbabwean that took your tender from you. There's no Zimbabwean that took your job from you. There are no jobs. The jobs Zimbabweans are doing you won't don't want to do them. You are so educated enough to can do those slave jobs. That's why not that you are lazy.

[00:04:00]You are not lazy. You know your worth.

[00:04:03]Previous protests linked to immigration [music] have sometimes escalated into violence prompting calls for restraint and protection of vulnerable communities.

[00:04:15]South Africa is home to about 2.4 million [music] migrants just less than 4% of the population according to official figures. Most come from neighboring countries such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique which have a history of providing migrant labor to their wealthy neighbor.

[00:04:37]The protests have drawn condemnation across Africa and some reports suggest South Africans could face restrictions entering Mozambique. Xenophobia or Afrophobic incidents have sparked anger across the region including Nigeria as my colleague Louisa explains. Louisa, over to you.

[00:04:56]That's right, Calvin. Here in Lagos mixed reactions have trailed the unfortunate incident. The anger is indeed palpable across the nation. As we speak the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu confirms that Nigeria is arranging evacuation flight for 130 Nigerians stuck in South Africa following the latest xenophobic attacks.

[00:05:19]Although it is not clear when the flights are scheduled.

[00:05:24]Nigeria's Foreign Minister expressed President Bola Tinubu's concern about the attacks in the Southern African nation and condemned the violence against foreign nationals and demonstrations characterized by xenophobic rhetoric, hate speeches and incendiary anti-migrant statements.

[00:05:45]She cited the killing of two [music] Nigerians in separate incidents involving local security personnel insisting that the government [music] was demanding justice.

[00:05:57]Four Ethiopian nationals have also been killed in recent weeks local media reported while there have been attacks on citizens of other African countries.

[00:06:09]As Africa's most [music] industrialized country, people from elsewhere in the continent have long traveled to South Africa to seek work.

[00:06:18]But some South Africans accused foreigners of being in the country illegally taking jobs from locals and having links to crime especially drug trafficking.

[00:06:29]Look, I think the main reasons we are here today is to further reinforce our stand that as the South African people we [snorts] are tired tired of illegal immigrants who have flocked our country in numbers in in the millions. Actually, nobody even knows how many of them are here walking around undocumented but in every corner of every street even in the rural communities they are there.

[00:06:53]Anti-immigrant groups have been stopping people outside hospitals and schools demanding to see their identity papers.

[00:07:01]For further diplomatic resolution the Nigerian Foreign Affairs office summoned the South African ambassador in a meeting on Monday 4th May. The United Nations and African Commission have strongly condemned the violence and called for urgent protection of foreign nationals. As Nigerian authorities continue to engage diplomatically and prepare support for those who wish to return home the number of Nigerians willing to evacuate is expected to rise sharply.

[00:07:31]From Lagos, Nigeria, Louisa Olaniyi. We are on.

[00:07:35]World is one.