Hundreds of people from all walks of life yesterday joined the “say no to xenophobia” march in East London.
The march, initiated by Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre in partnership with Trufm and the Daily Dispatch, took place at 1pm.
It started from the war memorial on the corner of Lukin Road and Oxford Street and proceeded to the East London City Hall via Gately Street.
The crowd held up placards and sang peace songs as they marched down the road accompanied by traffic and police officers.
Among those who attended was the Dispatch editor-in-chief Bongani Siqoko, Masimanyane director Lesley-Ann Foster, transport, safety and liaison MEC Weziwe Tikana and Seth Mazibuko of the Moral Regeneration Movement.
Mazibuko was also representing the Human Rights Commission and the United Nations.
Speaking to the Dispatch, Mazibuko said South Africa was being rejected by the African continent and the world because of attacks on foreign nationals.
“This xenophobia is deep-seated. We need co-existence conversations throughout the country in places affected by this and those who manage to stop it,” said Mazibuko.
Foster said although the route was diverted at the last minute, it was a blessing in disguise.
“We managed to reach a different audience and a number of diversed cultures took place in the march, so we definitely got the message across and it was an incredible success.”
Siqoko said it was important for the people of East London to add their voices to the “no to xenophobia” campaign.
“It was important we speak with one voice and say ‘not in our name’. We are hoping that those who joined the march would take the message back to their communities and continue spreading the message of tolerance and unity.”
Tikana said South Africans had obligations to protect “our brothers who played a big role to bring us to the freedom that we have today”.
Sports, recreation, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina also joined the march.
Representatives from Somalia, Pakistan, Ethiopia, African Wives Association and other African nations like Senegal and Nigeria also attended.
Khoisan chief Riaan Gysman said the xenophobia suffered by foreign nationals reminded them of how they were victimised, exploited and driven away from their homes.
“We, the Khoisan people, believe there can be no African Renaissance with exclusion of our fellow brothers and sisters,” said Gysman.
Abubakor Mohamed from Ogaden Community in South Africa said they faced a number of challenges in the country.
“One of those is home affairs officials who apply law inconsistently and that causes great confusion. We are always given incorrect forms and delaying of processing of our documents,” said Mohamed.
He said the issue of citizenship was another problem.
“When do refugees qualify and how do they qualify for citizenship?”
Frere Hospital CEO Dr Rolene Wagner said the hospital had sent a delegation from management and staff to attend the march.
“Part of our core mandate is trauma and violence. Many of the staff at the hospital come from outside South Africa, so to us they are healers and it is heartbreaking to see patients come in due to xenophobic attacks. As a society we have come to show solidatory.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za / bonganif@dispatch.co.za
VIDEO: Africans walk united in city march
The march, initiated by Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre in partnership with Trufm and the Daily Dispatch, took place at 1pm.
It started from the war memorial on the corner of Lukin Road and Oxford Street and proceeded to the East London City Hall via Gately Street.
The crowd held up placards and sang peace songs as they marched down the road accompanied by traffic and police officers.
Among those who attended was the Dispatch editor-in-chief Bongani Siqoko, Masimanyane director Lesley-Ann Foster, transport, safety and liaison MEC Weziwe Tikana and Seth Mazibuko of the Moral Regeneration Movement.
Mazibuko was also representing the Human Rights Commission and the United Nations.
Speaking to the Dispatch, Mazibuko said South Africa was being rejected by the African continent and the world because of attacks on foreign nationals.
“This xenophobia is deep-seated. We need co-existence conversations throughout the country in places affected by this and those who manage to stop it,” said Mazibuko.
Foster said although the route was diverted at the last minute, it was a blessing in disguise.
“We managed to reach a different audience and a number of diversed cultures took place in the march, so we definitely got the message across and it was an incredible success.”
Siqoko said it was important for the people of East London to add their voices to the “no to xenophobia” campaign.
“It was important we speak with one voice and say ‘not in our name’. We are hoping that those who joined the march would take the message back to their communities and continue spreading the message of tolerance and unity.”
Tikana said South Africans had obligations to protect “our brothers who played a big role to bring us to the freedom that we have today”.
Sports, recreation, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina also joined the march.
Representatives from Somalia, Pakistan, Ethiopia, African Wives Association and other African nations like Senegal and Nigeria also attended.
Khoisan chief Riaan Gysman said the xenophobia suffered by foreign nationals reminded them of how they were victimised, exploited and driven away from their homes.
“We, the Khoisan people, believe there can be no African Renaissance with exclusion of our fellow brothers and sisters,” said Gysman.
Abubakor Mohamed from Ogaden Community in South Africa said they faced a number of challenges in the country.
“One of those is home affairs officials who apply law inconsistently and that causes great confusion. We are always given incorrect forms and delaying of processing of our documents,” said Mohamed.
He said the issue of citizenship was another problem.
“When do refugees qualify and how do they qualify for citizenship?”
Frere Hospital CEO Dr Rolene Wagner said the hospital had sent a delegation from management and staff to attend the march.
“Part of our core mandate is trauma and violence. Many of the staff at the hospital come from outside South Africa, so to us they are healers and it is heartbreaking to see patients come in due to xenophobic attacks. As a society we have come to show solidatory.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za / bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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