Social Media has been on fire since the recent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals, it is against this backdrop that many celebrities voiced out their displeasure on the current appalling situation.
PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA – Xenophobic attacks, a ticking time bomb?
The recent attacks against Nigerian owned businesses seem to have been sparked by the killing of a South African taxi driver in the city of Pretoria when he tried to stop an alleged drug dealer from selling drugs to a young South African as the story was told.
His death caused an outrage, as Pretorians began destroying/looting shops and businesses owned by Nigerians and other African Nationals in the area.
In reaction to this, many Nigerian celebrities have come out to condemn the act.
Wizkid tweeted:
Disheartening to watch these videos from my home! You’re fighting the wrong war , fighting the wrong people. How do we walk around hating each other? Africa is one! We’re all the same people! Pls don’t loose yourself! #SayNoToXenophobia One Love
Pls educate yourselves, educate the kids , educate the youth! We’re all humans before anything else! “Humans” !! And most importantly “Africans”!
The #Xenophobia attacks by some South Africans against Nigerians and other foreign Nationals are completely heartbreaking. Sad to see people that suffered through decades of apartheid, violence and hatred, now turning around to do the same/worse to others. (1)
The people that South Africans look up to should PLEASE speak up and denounce #Xenophobia. The Government, business people, athletes, artists, media personalities, and even the average citizens have a responsibility to stand up for justice the way the world stood up for SA (2)
This is not the SA that Mandela fought and sacrificed for. This is not the SA that a lot of us have come to know and love. I just watched a video of a man burnt alive in front of a crowd. It’s sick, and heartbreaking. “Hell must be empty because all the demons are here”. Sigh (3)
Africa’s problem is AFRICANS. Some in Government, some in the general population.. but Africa’s problem is Africans. I keep pushing for the day that the rest of us will rise to become our solution. May God help us. And may we realize that Heaven helps those who help themselves.
It is unfortunate that the South African authorities fail to address the issues of Foreigners been attacked, in some cases murdered and their businesses looted and taken over by the locals.With hundreds of cases unresolved and no one arrested or charged for the crimes committed.
By no means should one break the of the land in which they reside as a foreigner but the death of the taxi drive counts as one compared to the number of Nigerians and other foreigners who have lost their lives by the hands of the local SA’s.
Suffice to say that, the Nigerian Foreign affairs minister and the president need to act immediately and begin repatriation of Nigerian nationals back to Nigeria for their safety and well being.
Already, reports are saying other countries have started to boycott South Africa; With DRC Mali among others cancelling their trips to SA for the WEF conference in protest against the mistreating of their citizens.
Others have cancelled football friendlies scheduled against the bafana bafana of SA.
The International community has been for the most part silent on this issue for years now – watching white South African Farmers lose their lives and farms under the ever increasing display of Xenophobia towards any and all none South African Nationals.
The time to act is now – there are millions of South Africans (blacks) living and working hard in other countries around the world.
They own businesses and have form part of the society. Lets hope the backlash does not result in a domino effect sparking a wider problem for everyone involved.