K.O.

I believe those attacks are “Afrophobic” and not “Xenophobic” because they only targeted foreigners from african origins. This really shows that Africa can never progress without help from a white man, just take a look at Zimbabwe. Black SA are really stupid to blame their fellow africans for taking their jobs. They are just too lazy to work hard like their fellow africans who are working 10x harder than them. Should one day whites depart from this country, then there will be nothing left except violence.

Peter

Government is quick to say that only “a few criminals” are behind the attacks. The truth is that many large communities all over the country participated in the violence and eviction of foreigners. We have serious problems in this country: poverty, corrupt officials who allow the influx millions of foreigners, no service delivery, a massive increase in the cost of living, huge unemployment rate, crime, and … no leadership. No wonder it exploded. We need to address all the above problems urgently.

KK

AK, glad to see you back, did you see the way Zuma was received at that meeting??? a lot of dissatifaction with the ANC, which shows how pathetic our other political parties are, as these guys will now refuse to vote as they see no alternative to the ANC…been doing a bit of volunteer work at the Germiston City Council, you should come

Gimbo

Wsup ya’ll , anyway I have been doing sum self reflection and soul searching , I have realised that we have a great big dilemma which is Africans thru out the continent having problems Identifying with who they are and where their roots lie , I for one is a bit confused about my decendants and ancestoral backround thus I find myself identifying less with many tribes accross our beautiful continent , just a break down : My father is half coloured half North Western Sotho but he grew up in Limpopo , My mother is a Malawian born south african and my great,great grandfather is jewish so how do I define myself? This is probably the ? that most Africans ask themselves , due to Colonization we as Africans aspecially the new generation find ourselves caught in a pickle for our heritage has been tanished by genes we do not know!

KK

Gimbo – as a white I get the whole African/Colour/Roots debate a lot. What makes you African? I think its a love for your continent, country, and people, its the desire to better the place, its when your heart weeps for the suffering one sees take place here and it rejoices when one sees us succeed, its loving the little things we only get in Africa, our sunsets, our landscape, that warm African smile. we are all mixed breeds, and exactly who has the right to tell people who is African and who is not?

Gimbo

Reading some of the comments on this blog is that the plan that the colonizers wanted they have accomplished , anyway I just think the time has come when Africans learn co-exist and learn that our great forefathers solved disputes by talking..”Lekgotla”

Fredy Omondi

(Thou shall not blame the victim.
You speak like a typical gogetter African child, who has left the township for the sunurbs. You speak like a typical White kid who has never seen the suffering of an African
You speak likea typical foreigner who came to South Africa already empowered.
Get off that horse. Give your poor African fellows money. You talk like a typical BEE heir, who thinks he has done \\”it my own own\\”
A liitle bit of sociology will explainto you what ishappening. So please readand interpret the times correctly)

Dear Mr. A.K,

Your comment above is really juicy. I wish I had read it yesterday.I was really building Our Nation AND not idling!

You are lucky I do not know you personally but let me give you a small history:

I was born to a peasant Father in 1970. My Father passed on in 1975 and left me with my mother and 7 other siblings (sister and brother and 4 adopted children)around the Sugar belt of Nyanza around Lake Victoria. I learnt to work hard in the sugar plantation over weekends to subsidize my mother\’s meagre earnings. I worked hard in school and passed with flying colours admitted to a national school but could not afford, instead I opted for a local day school. I continue to work hard doing larm labour over weekends and paid my own school fees. In 1990, I joined the University of Nairobi and due to high UNIVERSITY fees, I had to work in farms during the holsidays to sustain myself. In 1994, I worked in a mine field in Ndola in Northern border of TZ and Zambia for six months. My mother passed on in 1995 just two months before my graduation and left me with all my 7 siblings whom I have educated!

I cab tell you that I am a go getter. I have worked hard and secured jobs in several countries (Somalia, Sudan, Tz, Congo, Botswana, Uganda and Guese what?… SA). I paid for MA programme and now I am working on my Ph.D.

So I am not prouding myself for nothing but i believe in hard work and not idling around waiting mana from heaven. These are not biblical days of MOses.

It is hard work that has taught me that lazy people resort to doing all sorts of things to survive.

It is about hrd work my brother! I did not sit down and waiting for mana to drop from some Government Office simply because I was poor rural boy! That is what I meant with my comment above. Continue lamenting as you fellow brothers Chop off and burn other Africans for nothing other than jalousy of success

I rest my case. COMMENT FURTHER IF YOU WISH BUT EXPECT NOT CORRESPONDENCE FROM ME TO YOU!!!

KK

Fredy Omondi – do not attack AK, he was merely pointing out that your callous post shows what little grip you have on the reality of most South Africans. Just as not all nigerians are drug lords and pimps who abuse women and kill our youth, not all south africans are lazy waiting for handouts. If you bother to take a look at these refugee cxamps, and look at the amount of food, clothing, money , blankets donated by the South African public in response to these attacks, you will know that we do not deserve your call urging “the rest of African countries to put pressure on South African Government to WIPE OUT THIS TERROR GANG failure to which THE WORLD SHOULD NOT GO TO SA FOR WORLD CUP”.

The bottom line is that some African countries are in such a sorry stae of affairs that people actually leave their friends and family, their heritage and roots in search of a better life here. So perhaps you should call on African countries to look after their own people before they put pressure on us to do anything.

ak

Freddy OMondi,
You do misconstrue me indeed. But I have not seen you, though I wish I did.

But admit; I have used my telepathic abilities to diagnose you. You have fitted all my differentials except on of a typical white person who does not know much.

I congratulate you very much indeed. I am an old sage. I have seen it all. Now what you must achieve despite everything else; is the humble spirit of Mother Africa. You have done so well; a good army general; would take all the credit and give it to God. You do exactly what I foretold” Regrets, I have but few. When all issaid and done; I did it my own way”

How prophetic could I be. As for me, I am a truck drive
I earn what I can.
I rove from place to place.
When I see an indolent African, I praise God.
When I see a wealthy hard working African , I praise God.
When I see a poor struggling White person; I do not say he brought it on himself
When I listen to your colourful story; I praise God.

As for me, I must drive my truck and dream about my beautiful wife, whom I only see once a month.

When you meet one of the brothers along the way, please love them; for the God that made you made me too.
This man with a broken heart.

ak

Hi KK; I am overseas gain.I had just come home for the funeral of my cousin. Thank you for defending me against Fredy. Good job, you doing.

tindo_s

Hi all; Not all South Africans are lazy, I do agree to that 100%. I blame the South African government for four reasons: 1) Failure to stamp the relentless crime rate that has seen thugs creating free havens where they operate without any fear of being persecuted. 2)Failure to implement a holistic immigration policy. This has led to an influx of criminals from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and other countries mainly because it is easier to operate in SA than in their countries. 3) The quite diplomacy on Zim has totally failed and this has led to an influx of Zimbos into SA about 3 million of them to date. 4) Finally to some extent the SA government has failed to deliver on their promises to the masses on one hand and on the other they have not educated them enough to be aware that the government, no matter how good it is cannot spoon feed them, cannot build houses for them, cannot give them the good life they crave. There is no substitute for hard work, otherwise jealousy will lead you into crime.

PV

After killing, raping and looting the foreigners in 2008, SA wants them to come back in the 2010 for the world cup! Yeah right! SA has lost it completely.(And the cup too).

Fredy Omondi

Tindo_s, I totally agree with you! But my only question is that who is the government? The people in leadership in SA were elected by the same poor people. Those who are killing ought to realise that the problem is not the ‘Makwere kwere’ but the goverment. The best thing to do is to wait for elections and vote them out!

Other questions are: Is it true that only foreigners engage in crime in SA? Are there no SA criminals? Why cant the criminal be treated as individuals? In Kenya, there was a time when police always claimed that all criminals were Ugandans, but later, it was discovered that most of them were actually Kenyans! Today, 100% of criminal actvities are perpatrated by Kenyans.A year ago, some Kenyans were killed in Tanzania where they had gone to rob a bank. The Tanzanians did not blame all Kenyans and other foreigners as criminals who must leave their country.

I am also pertubed by the fact that some of those who support xenophobic tendencies are themselves resident of some foreign country(many of then are in Europe or America). I wonder why they are not asking their host to evict them and also burn their property and even kill them.

PV, You are right! the government of SA will have to do alot of damage control. China has really tried white wash the mess the TIBET issue has caused.What must be known is that people who do not respect and protect Human rights will never be free in today’s world.

ak

Fred Omondi,
Your silence with regard to my post is deafening. I am quite sure in the bell bottom of my heart that I have responded to you most honestly.

I think it is also very short sighted of us to blame the government so licentiously .

What can they do if people are running away from hunger in Ethopia, Somali, Mozambique and Zim

The problem is much bigger than that.

tindo_s

To vote them out is the choice which SA citizens can make. I think they deserve it. In addition to their failures that I pointed out yesterday, let me add that they have let their police be the champions of brutalizing black foreign nationals esp. Zimbos and Mozambicans. How can they protect the ones they have so freely persecuted? The thugs have just borrowed a page from the book of their police force.

Let hasten to talk about solutions here: I think it is important for us Africans to put our house in order, otherwise we are doomed. Firstly, I advocate that us African citizens campaign for the inauguration of the United States of African without delay. This can give us a chance to form a policing body that has the power to dissolve corrupt governments and replace them with democratically elected institutes. This measn that this body will have a standing army and/ police with the power to act. It is not surprising that the leaders who are benefiting from the weaknesses for the current systems strongly oppose the US of Africa idea. For how long shall stand aside and look while they loot our economies, burn our houses, rape our sisters and mothers and burn us, all in the name of sovereignty.

Will

I am a Zimbabwean and I have visited South Africa a number of times over the years through the Beit Bridge Border Post. Its sad to note that I have since observed and concluded that xenophobia has always been part of the culture of the South African people.
The immigration officer is the first perpetrator of xenophobic hatred as you try to enter South Africa legally. He will try to harass you, shout at the top of his voice and refuse to serve you forthrightly. . The young rude officers have the audacity to play games on the work computers while a queue snakes outside. I once challenged them and I was called names and threatened with arrest. Thats how South Africa welcome black people into their country.
Next is the police officer who tries to harass you at every corner of the street in South Africa. For the 8 days I spent in one visit I was confronted more than 10 times by the police asking for evidence I was South African if not if I was in SA legally. Surely that’s not the way we treat visitors here. One officer refused to give me road directions unless I gave him something because he said “did not work for the police but for his family”
The situation is so out of hand such that even mere store keepers cannot serve you because you are black foreigner. Ask anyone who has gone shopping looking like a foreigner the treatment you get from shop assistants. This is particularly rife at Musina where most local people do their shopping.
The government itself was instrumental in sowing and nurturing a xenophobic culture in SA. The building the Lindela Prison dedicated to the deportation of black foreigners was the first sign of official xenophobic hatred. Next the government decided to make the duty of the Home Affairs Department as that of rounding up and deporting black foreigners. Special trucks are found at every police station to ferry “illegal black” people to Lindela. Sad. Was Lindela there before 1994?
A song was penned, recorded and enjoyed by most South Africans denigrating black Africans as Makwerekwere. Sad.
Now you can’t blame people who are in other words helping their government clear “the black foreigners” from SA. There is need for an extensive education campaign to the South African black populace what it means to be an African

FTO

Black on black violence all over again. on my several visist to SA, i have have always noted with concern the huge gap between the rich and the poor within that country. And at the back of my mind i know that one day it would come down to this kind of situation. In my eyes the SA Government has failed to address key fundamental issues in this country and this has angered the poor of this country. However the poor marginalised South africans have vented their anger on the wrong people. Attacking will not put food on your table,it will not put a roof over your head,it will definately not give you a job,it will not reduce crime (so some say)it can actually make it worse. But removing corrupt and incompetent leaders can make a difference, working together regardles of ethnic origins can make a difference and other positive social and econmic policies can do the job.

South africans must remember that a lot of black African also died in the struggle for their independence. and they should also acknowledge the contribution black foreign labour has played in the building of their economy before and afer independence. they should also remember that no one from african origin should clain to be of pure breed for we have origins from alll four corners of this continent and it is only colonisation that put borders and boundaries on this continent, otherwise we are and will always be one people.

Stop the Killings…….

Gevas Moyo

I worked in the late 80’s at SARDC in Zimbabwe which was a centre dedicated to document the evil deeds of the evil regime, working side by side with members of the ANC, Tixie Mabhizela, Rhoda Njanana, Dee Mashinini amongst others, hoping and praying for a better SA. We risked our lives everyday as the threat of letter bombs was a real possibility as seen by a colleague in the struggle, Father Michael Lapsley who lost both hands and suffered serious injury from a letter bomb sent by the rascist government. All this for WHAT?? To see a fellow black African being murdered by other black Africans??? Where does this anger come from? I can tell you frankly, that the major problem in SA is the lack of progress and hope for the people. The lack of hope which should make our leaders hung their heads in shame but alas that is asking for too much from them! As much I would not want to see SA in the same predicament as Zimbabwe, I want people to awaken to the fact that we should no longer vote for someone simply because they have the same skin colour as us. Ask yourself, what makes western countries strong? They are strong because they attract the ‘cream’ from other countries and this is what makes them keep their competitive edge. They also hold their elected officials accountable, whilst we in Africa elevate our officials to Demi-God status and literally worship the ground they walk on despite their lack of action. We continously claim our culture does not allow us to openly criticise but I contend culture should be dynamic. Shame on SA for not keeping up the momentum after independence, there is the real possibility that SA might go the same way as Zimbabwe one day. Our leaders need to break the cycle of poverty and focus more on the people and not on what Mercedes Benz is producing. Our leaders forget they have a mandate to lead and Thabo Mbeki has been a major disappointment. He has defended Mugabe at every turn, there is no crisis in Zimbabwe statement has already begun to haunt SA as seen by the violence. We need to hold our elected officials accountable for the lack of progress in Africa. Elsewhere around the world, there is development, why?? We need to remove the cancer of corruption and self importance that has rendered us impotent. We also need to ask the people who burnt that man, did jobs fall like manna from the heavens after burning him?? Some were laughing!! sis what a shame!! Why should we have low regard for human life and hatred for foreigners?? SA, you should not forget you are now part of a global community and we have high expectations of you. What is the rest of SA going to do make sure this is never repeated? Who is out there right now helping the unemployed and unemployable?? By the way don’t forget that we, the rest of the world shall not forget this incident that readily!!! By the way as well please do something about your murder rate, outside a war zone you are leading the world.

ak

Gevas Moyo,
I am a bit disappointed by your slightly narrow view of the situation.

Having worked in such a high office, you must have realized that; freedom and building the country are two different things.

What should Mbeki do if the Zimbabweans like Mugabe.

We have shown you what we do if we do not like a leader.

Thabo hd all the good intentions, it is the Prophets like Mugabe who derailed him.

Please now do not push whites to lead us again. You mean you have become so quickly brainwashed that you want them to lead you. A real shame for such an experienced person.

The problem is somewhere else, I do agree. But I would still prefer Mugabe to Smith.
Mugabe corrupted our President.

Rowan

ak… your above comment:

“Please now do not push whites to lead us again.”

…is racist.

I ask: WELL, WHY NOT, IS IT THE SKIN COLOUR WHICH DEFINES A LEADER?

You have insulted me because of the tone of my skin. Get over it, it is no longer a black and white, or any shade inbetween, issue anymore! We are beyond this! We need a leader, regardless of skin colour. Africa is part of the global community. Look at Obama!

ak

Hi Rowan,
Sorry mate. The thing has been taken out of context. I was referring to South Africa. Give me one white person in South Africa that is fit to lead the country.

You may have some different views from what I was saying. I was responding to the whole letter as posted by Moyo.

take the DA, who can lead us. There is none in that party. I was actually referring to them, well come on.

take the ANC, who can lead us there, for even there from time to time you do get this subtle racism.

Take iNkatha, give me somebody.

Rowan, I cannot argue much against what you are saying, but rather than you attacking me or rather defending yourself against my accusation- I would rather refer you to my general thinking- if that is racist, well I can only apologize to you.

Kindly read the post in its totality and then see again if I am wrong.

I did not mean to offend you; but if I knew of your politics to be correct and proper; why; I would give you the Presidency.

Rowan

ak, apology accepted.

Although you continue with your view that ” Give me one WHITE person in South Africa that is fit to lead the country.” WHY?

This racism remains…if you can get beyond skin colour mate, then we can get somewhere!

But I still do not care what colour our next leader will be. Perhaps we should all look at the bigger picture here, it does not matter.

We are the rainbow nation. Let\’s break the mould! For one, methinks Helen Zille has shown enough leadership to take this country into the future. And my dear friend, it is not because she is of a paler colour. Just look at her record. She HAS excelled.

Helen For Prez! Viva the Future!

Umfowethu Rowan

Gevas Moyo

Ak, thanks for your opinion and contribution. I did not in anyway imply a leader should be of white skin or any colour skin for that matter. Infact I would have neither Smith not Mugabe as leaders as both are evil twins separated at birth. Too often the race card is played by people who cannot offer any solutions. That is the problem of Zimbabwe and once the race card is played it very easy to generate debate which creates a lot of heat in the chest but very little in the head. Just like in SA we have people of different colours, does that make them less South African because they are white or brown? We all came from somewhere and what is retrogressive is to continue to hearld the cry of skin colour whenever our leaders are criticised. Mind you even in the fight against apartheid we had people like Ruth First, Anton Lobowski and even our living legend Johnny Clegg, fighting side by side with us, now are these not white people? What i am advocating for is lets look at what is best for the country not the colour of skin. What about Father Lapsley who nearly paid with his life due to his views, is he not white as well? South Africans need to learn from the Zimbabwe debacle. What we need are answers not people who are stuck in yesteryear. We hear , we fought for the country, we fought for the country, over and over again. Thank you comrade or whatever your political persuasion – now lets move on and see how we can help our fellow country men. Indeed the issue of colour and change is something that the whole world is grappling with. For the first time an African American has very good chance to become the president of America…how about that? If he did not have the leadership qualities that he has and the ability to effect change would he be on the verge of making history?? Leadership should always be based on competency and must be deserving. Our african leaders like Mugabe feel Zimbabwe owes them a favour, even Smith was fromt he same cesspool. So should we continue festering corruption, murder and brutality because the person in office has the same skin colour as us??? For Africa to grow and join the global village we need to look for a new generation of leaders, who can table an issue and discuss it intelligently. We cannot allow the bitterness of yesteryear to continue to divide us. yes there are complex issue but lets us look for the greater good not Swiss accounts and shopping sprees at Tax payer’s expense. I have often toiled with the idea of an executive presidency – more like a CEO. We recruit and find a condidate who can lead our country to prosperity and if they fail to perform, we show them the door. Sounds radical but hey maybe we can refine this notion and get people who will actually deliver results. Thabo is an adult, how could he have been corrupted? It takes two to tangle!

ak

Mfowethu Rowan and Mfowethu Moyo.

It is not very often that I admit defeat. I think you both have a point. I just could not find words for what i wanted to say.

Mfowethu Rowan, Zille is the prime example of the white person who could not lead us. I thought you could have chosen people like bishop Hurley, unfortunately dead; Oom Beyers Naude again dead. One person who comes to minnd is Nuade. What happened to Carl Niehaus.

I just cannot think of anyone who could lead us.

But both of you have a generally correct point.

Cheers Bafwethu

Gevas Moyo

Ak, one thing I forgot to answer in response to your statement that Zimbabweans love Mugabe…really?? My bro, inflation is anywhere between 3 – 5 million percent. Unemployment 90%, crime, HIV etc. AK, please look at the trend and ask yourself are there any similarities in SA?

One thing that I want you to check on TV, Mugabe talks about whites and demonises them everyday right?? The man froths at the mouth when he is blasting these ‘whites’ right??…. Now check for yourself – Look closely at his security detail – White Guys my bro!! How about that for hyprocrisy?? Now this is the person you want as your leader???Use the search engine – Google right now and put in Grace Mugabe in Rome, again who is the security detail closest to her?? A white guy. Now lets stop this posturing and admit failure when we fail. Why go to Rome to vomit the same venom that ‘whites’ are ruining Zimbabwe. Are there any whites killing people in the rural areas right now forcing people to vote for the government in the coming runoff elections?? Lets be honest with ourselves, listen to the lyrics of Johnny Clegg’s ‘The System has fallen’ and ’stand in the light of the people and breath life into this land again’and draw inspiration from them.

Siyathemba, Siyathemba Ku’wena Nkosi Sizofika makaya!!!

My bro, my life experiences have taught me plenty and i continue to learn each day. Brain wash….errr i think not more like enlightenment. My eyes though young have seen through the smoke and mirrors and I am glad I am not the only one who says lets find capable leaders even from MARS.

Gevas Moyo

Ak thanks for your concession, Love you Bro. Lets build a better world for tomorrow.

David

I am an Australian. Was SA a better place under White rule? Should White rule return?

Maybe?? Seems the Blacks have lost it!

ak

Dave when you left us we were owing the world a lot of money. that money you borrowed was used to kill us in a war designed only to perpetuate slaves out of us.

Yes problems we have, they are of a different nature. Dave it depends what you mean when you say we have lost it.

I have just been accused of this racist remark. i have no problem personally if you view our problems from that angle.

You should come home and study the situation with a very open mind. The problem, as your friends are saying, is not the colour but the situation.

The biggest problem we face Dave” our government must buy back the land that they did not sell to start with.

This sets them at a disadvantage to start with.
Our legal system is still western
Our value system is still dominated by the west
Our commerce still the same
May be if we introduce more of African values and let us catch up with what is innate in us; then can things perhaps improve.

This greed you see is the result of being assimilated by a culture foreign to ourselves.

KK

Dave – you just dont get it, and that callous question illustrates how little you know about this countr