/ 30 May 2008

Youth mobilise against xenophobia

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and other youth bodies on Friday launched a campaign against xenophobia following the recent attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa. Briefing the media in Johannesburg, ANCYL president Julius Malema extended his apology and assured foreigners they were welcome in the country.

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and other youth bodies on Friday launched a campaign against xenophobia following the recent attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa.

Briefing the media at the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg, where a number of foreigners are sheltered, ANCYL president Julius Malema extended his apology and assured them they were welcome in the country.

”Those who took part in this violence do not represent us as South Africans … they are criminals who wanted to steal from you,” he said.

He acknowledged that foreigners left their countries because of economic reasons and should be welcomed, just as South Africans were welcomed when they had gone into exile in various African countries.

”The ANC understands that you played an important role in the liberation of this country.”

Malema said the youth bodies would do anything to restore peace, and people should not test their patience. He also called on youths to reclaim their communities and unite against the ”senseless” violence.

He added that criminals who inflicted violence on others should be arrested and prosecuted.

Inkatha Freedom Party Youth Brigade national chair Pat Lebenya-Ntanzi said the campaign was a way to voice concerns. She questioned why the violence was only directed towards Africans.

”We’ve been indoctrinated to hate ourselves and anything that looks like us,” she said.

Democratic Alliance (DA) youth leader in Gauteng Khume Ramulitho said people needed to embrace ubuntu (humanity to others) and confront challenges as one.

He said the DA was against ”these barbaric actions” and therefore encouraged the government to ensure more opportunities in terms of employment. Ramulitho called on the youth to support and formulate a process of integration.

The youth bodies intended to focus on a solution to xenophobia through dialogue — especially among residents in communities. They would also petition the speaker of Parliament for a week of debate on the xenophobia.

Who is that?

Meanwhile, ANC president Jacob Zuma visited displaced foreigners at the Cleveland police station in Johannesburg on Friday, more than two weeks after the xenophobic attacks began.

Zuma, surrounded by several security guards, made his way through the foreigners housed at the police station as a result of the recent violence that has killed 56 people.

He was accompanied by ANC national executive committee member Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Minister of Public Service and Administration Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi.

Before visiting the foreigners, he was locked in a meeting at the police station along with Madikizela-Mandela and Fraser-Moleketi.

Leon Lomboco, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, arrived in South Africa only days before the xenophobic attacks began. His 13-year-old daughter and three-month-old baby were sheltering with him and his wife at the police station.

Zuma spoke to Lomboco, telling him to take the baby to the clinic as the baby had a severe rash. Lomboco, however, said afterwards that his wife had used an incorrect soap on the baby.

He said he did not know what Zuma hoped to accomplish by coming to the police station.

”I don’t know what he thinks he’s doing here. We need the United Nations to come up with a solution,” he said.

People gathering around Zuma and his entourage made it difficult for the media to get close to him.

However, some of the foreigners did not know who he was.

Sylvia Sibiya from Zimbabwe shook the hand of the man who could possibly be South Africa’s next president, but laughed afterwards, saying she did not know his identity.

”I don’t know who is that, who is it?” she asked when approached for comment.

Successful

Operations thus far to curb the xenophobic violence had been successful, chief of the South African National Defence Force Lieutenant General Solly Shoke said on Friday.

Speaking at a media breakfast, Shoke said soldiers had been deployed alongside police in Gauteng and the joint operations had been successful.

He added, however, that the army was ready to make further deployments should it be needed.

”We will do everything possible to support the police in their endeavours to stabilise and normalise the situation as quickly as possible,” he said.

The army has been deployed as part of a bigger defence force deployment, ordered by President Thabo Mbeki, to support the police in their operations to bring xenophobic violence under control.

Shoke said the army’s deployment had been limited to Gauteng, where it helped police with cordon and search operations.

He said the army had also supplied hundreds of tents that have been used to house displaced foreigners. — Sapa