The Alexandra community said foreign nationals needed to be educated about their rights so that they would not be exploited, the Human Rights Commission said on Saturday.
This was one of many views expressed at a meeting with the commission, the Gauteng provincial legislature and various group representatives in Alexandra.
”The meeting aimed to find ways of reintegrating displaced foreigners back into the community,” said HRC spokesperson Vincent Moaga.
The community felt that if foreign nationals knew their rights, it would enable equal working opportunities because they won’t be exploited into working for meagre wages, said Moaga.
Moaga said they planned to instill constitutional values of equality, freedom and human dignity among township residents.
”What has been happening in the country threatens the stability of democracy. So it was important to engage with the community and enable them to reflect, discuss the challenges and try and create an environment where diversity is valued and respected,” he said.
Moaga said their partnership with the Gauteng legislature was a unique opportunity for the community of Alexandra to find one another, and live in peace.
Many foreigners left their communities out of fear during the recent xenophobic attacks.
Attacks broke out in Alexandra on May 11 and spread across the country, targeting immigrants including Zimbabweans and Mozambicans, whom locals blamed for taking their jobs. Over 60 were killed and hundreds were injured. – Sapa