attacks

21 June 2016 The first Action on Albinism in Africa forum, held from 17 to 19 June in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, brought together over...

"We dare not let the actions of a few define us as a nation," writes Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula of the recent attacks on foreign nationals. "What was intended to pull our nation down must be used to strengthen our resolve to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society which respects human dignity and rights of all people."

After violence against foreigners, many of them from elsewhere in Africa, erupted in communities across the country over the past week, the government, civil society and ordinary citizens have condemned the attacks, sought ways to alleviate the suffering, and looked for ways to end the conflict.

On Tuesday 22 April South African President Jacob Zuma met representatives from different sectors of society to discuss the country’s migration policy and explore ways to promote orderly migration and good relations between South Africans and other nationals.

The Limpopo branch of the South African Local Government Association (Salga) has condemned, in "the strongest possible terms", the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in different parts of the country.

The Department of Energy reminds all South Africans that it is imperative that we stand together to build and develop our continent. To achieve this, the department is already working with a number of countries on the continent to improve energy capacity for all Africans.

Minister of Sport and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, has lauded the sports bodies taking a stance against the xenophobic attacks and says that sport, yet again, is playing a role in uniting people in our country.

President Jacob Zuma is to hold meetings with stakeholders to discuss South Africa's migration policy and how different sectors of society can work with the government to promote orderly migration and good relations between citizens and foreign nationals.

The streets of Durban are burning; in Joburg the matches are ready. But the hate of xenophobia has been met with an outpouring of humanity and ubuntu from local celebrities and ordinary South Africans, who have added their voices to the hashtag #SayNoToXenophobia.

"No grievance can ever justify the cold-blooded murder of fellow human beings, the destruction of property, or the displacement of hundreds of people - including women and small children," says President Jacob Zuma, who has set up a ministerial task team to help stop the attacks against foreign nationals in Durban and Johannesburg.