Xenophobia: an ugly phenomena with a fine name - Gbadamosi Bidemi

Guest Post

In the wake of the dastardly assaults on immigrants in Durban, South Africa, 
initial reports had it that incendiary utterances credited to Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini fanned the embers of hate and animosity, subsequently triggering off the Xenophobic(or afrophobic) havoc wrecked on foreign nationals. The traumatized comprises of Nigerians, Somalis, Kenyans, Zambians, Mozambicans amongst others. 
However, the Monarch has come out to refute the purported pronouncements. He emphasized that he was misquoted by journalists and other media personnel hence holding them culpable. He further affirmed that if he had actually uttered such inflammatory remarks about foreign nationals taking most of the jobs available - to the indigenes' detriment, the entire place would have been reduced to ashes as of now. It can be recounted that in 2008, a similar mayhem on similar grounds occurred in the South African country, claiming scores of lives in Johannesburg's townships. The recent spate of brutality has claimed at least seven lives, seen shops, factories, workshops and establishments looted, torched and vandalised with no remorse whatsoever. All these property were owned by the victimised foreigners. 

In addition, thousands have been rendered destitute and displaced. The Nigerian Consul-General in South Africa, Uche Okeke disclosed that Nigerian inhabitants have lost property worth a staggering N21million(or 12million Rands) to the assaults. Moreover, concerted efforts are being conjured up by some of the affected countries to evacuate their citizens. That Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa could be subjected to such inhuman violence is a typical scenario of "biting the hands of a benefactor that once fed one". This is adduced to the fact that Nigeria had once disbursed a colossal N60m to South Africa in a bid to forestall apartheid and imperialism.

The lackadaisical endeavours of the South Africa President, Jacob Zuma and security agencies to contain the unjustified onslaught and destruction has been greeted with scorn from several quarters. QFM Radio, a Zambian based radio station has indefinitely halted the playing of South African music. In the same vein, a demonstration has been staged at the entrance of telecommunications giant, MTN- a South African owned company in Benin City, the capital of Edo state in Nigeria. Factions of the irate mob has called for the boycott of services rendered by South African companies in Nigeria. These include MTN, shoprite and multichoice, owners of DStv and Gotv. Some quarters have enjoined the federal government to evacuate Nigerians in the genocide embroiled nation. With palpable tensions brewing, a prospect of reprisal attacks is lurking and looming on the horizon. A group of Nigerians residing in Durban have resolved to embark on vengeance if the xenophobic assaults continues unabated.

That the despicable locals are demanding the exit of foreigners from their country owing to stiff competition for limited resources is crass, insensitive and degrading. The onus chiefly rests on the South African government and helmsman Zuma , his subordinates, major players and stakeholders to ensure the imbroglio betiding the nation is stamped out. If not forestalled, a plausible strain in diplomatic relations between South Africa and neighbouring countries might trigger off. Culprits of the animalistic acts should be tracked and apprehended. Appropriate penalties should be meted out to deter delinquents. Let Africans and the world as a whole pool efforts to ward off and say a resounding "nay" to Xenophobia genocide and the unjustified vandalism.

Written by Bidemi Gbadamosi.