Local women married to foreign nationals, and who have children with them, have spoken about the hurtful comments and xenophobic behaviour they are experiencing in their communities.
The African Wives Association (AWA) in East London, a local support group that comprises more than 30 Xhosa women who are either married or engaged to foreign nationals, said they felt alienated by the government and abused by police, and worst of all, relatives called their men names.
But the women, who arrived in beautiful West African outfits at the Dispatch, declared they had fallen in love with their men and would stand side by side with them.
AWA president Babalwa Perry said the outbreak of xenophobic violence in the country had shaken them and their husbands.
Perry, 31, is married to Liberian national and tyre businessman Ernest Perry, with whom she has two children.
“We have been together since 2005, but still today my family refer to my children as grigambas ,” said Perry.
She said her husband was struggling to get a South African ID and permanent residence although he had been in the country for more than 10 years.
“Our government does not want him. Although he has settled and integrated in the community he is still living on temporary asylum papers which he has to renew every three months,” said Perry, who was born in Duncan Village.
Asked why she married a foreigner, Perry said she grew up in a difficult home and felt attracted to men from other cultures. Her husband loved and supported her.
Her sentiments were echoed by four other women engaged to foreign nationals across the city.
Zukiswa Magqaza, 33, Hlumisa Mnkani, 21, Zingisa Sigidi, 22, and Yandiswa Dlakavu, 21, said their Nigerian fiancés had restored their dignity and self-esteem.
“I look at what is happening around the country and I hold my son and cry because these people are fighting our husbands who are the fathers of our children,” Sigidi said.
“The local men ask me why I am marrying a kwerekwere, but is it a crime to marry a kwerekwere? He treats me with respect.”
Dlakavu said she was a party animal until she met her fiancé, who introduced her to God.
The women are making plans to visit their respective spouses’ countries later this year, saying pressure was mounting for them to show their children to their grandparents.
l Join the Daily Dispatch, TruFM and Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre’s anti-xenophobia march at 1pm on Tuesday, April 28. The march starts at the war memorial near the EL Museum in Oxford Street and will proceed to the City Hall. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Women married to foreigners speak out
The African Wives Association (AWA) in East London, a local support group that comprises more than 30 Xhosa women who are either married or engaged to foreign nationals, said they felt alienated by the government and abused by police, and worst of all, relatives called their men names.
But the women, who arrived in beautiful West African outfits at the Dispatch, declared they had fallen in love with their men and would stand side by side with them.
AWA president Babalwa Perry said the outbreak of xenophobic violence in the country had shaken them and their husbands.
Perry, 31, is married to Liberian national and tyre businessman Ernest Perry, with whom she has two children.
“We have been together since 2005, but still today my family refer to my children as grigambas ,” said Perry.
She said her husband was struggling to get a South African ID and permanent residence although he had been in the country for more than 10 years.
“Our government does not want him. Although he has settled and integrated in the community he is still living on temporary asylum papers which he has to renew every three months,” said Perry, who was born in Duncan Village.
Asked why she married a foreigner, Perry said she grew up in a difficult home and felt attracted to men from other cultures. Her husband loved and supported her.
Her sentiments were echoed by four other women engaged to foreign nationals across the city.
Zukiswa Magqaza, 33, Hlumisa Mnkani, 21, Zingisa Sigidi, 22, and Yandiswa Dlakavu, 21, said their Nigerian fiancés had restored their dignity and self-esteem.
“I look at what is happening around the country and I hold my son and cry because these people are fighting our husbands who are the fathers of our children,” Sigidi said.
“The local men ask me why I am marrying a kwerekwere, but is it a crime to marry a kwerekwere? He treats me with respect.”
Dlakavu said she was a party animal until she met her fiancé, who introduced her to God.
The women are making plans to visit their respective spouses’ countries later this year, saying pressure was mounting for them to show their children to their grandparents.
l Join the Daily Dispatch, TruFM and Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre’s anti-xenophobia march at 1pm on Tuesday, April 28. The march starts at the war memorial near the EL Museum in Oxford Street and will proceed to the City Hall. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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