We are all nuts. A crazy bunch all packed in a sack called earth. Within this sack are sacks called continents and within that, sacks called countries. Today we examine a sack called South Africa. A sack that is notorious for a weird problem called xenophobia.
In the past weeks, we have been hearing news about xenophobic attacks against foreigners, with Nigerians getting attacked the most. Which also indirectly means that Ghanaians are affected; people in South Africa find it difficult distinguishing between Ghanaians and Nigerians.
I had the privilege of residing in South Africa during my university days and all I have to say is that this is just a case of bad nuts spoiling the reputation of good nuts.
A good number of South Africans do not agree with the xenophobic attitude of their country men. These attacks are nothing more than a few angry people looking for someone to blame. Violence however seems to give way for a lot of damage, even across borders.
In one way I can understand the anger by the South Africans. News reports suggest that the malice towards Nigerians stem from drugs and prostitution that the West Africans introduce into their communities. This is true to some extent though the drugs and prostitution problem span wider than Nigerians. Its another case of bad nuts spoiling the reputation of the sack and hurting the wrong people. West Africans who are going about their business and staying out of trouble all of a sudden get attacked because of something a brother or look alike did.
The reaction of West Africans in their home countries is also appalling. What good will it do to vandalize or boycott South African companies and brands. They are not the ones hurting you.
Clearly the love of God is not shining enough in this situation. We as Christians have an opportunity to profess love instead of hate and forgiveness instead of violence. The black people of South Africa went through a harsh time during the apartheid era. So harsh that psychologically their view on issues on race are skewed.
I urge as all to be understanding during these times and avoid the negative banter against each other. 2017 Africa is beginning to look like Donald Trump’s America of immigrant policies.
Leaders should move to curb the situation by addressing the concerns of the South Africans about the crime by the supposed foreigners in their communities. This would bring some peace to the issue. That is if only the drugs and prostitution is the real issue.
Keep it One HONDRED!
Xenophobia – A Case of Bad Nuts
