Eastern Cape political, traditional, community and church leaders yesterday presented a united front against the threat of xenophobia, moving into communities to avert any outbreak of violence and calling on residents protect African foreigners.
The leaders spoke with one voice in condemning any violence on foreign nationals.
Many Christian leaders used Sunday church services to condemn the xenophobic attacks and call on believers to pray for and assist those affected by it.
The Daily Dispatch and SABC radio station TruFM have partnered with Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre to call East Londoners to an anti-xenophobia march at 1pm on April28.
The march will start at the war memorial in Oxford Street opposite the museum and the Buffalo City College.
Tensions flared in Cala on Friday when a 28-year-old Zimbabwean national was arrested on suspicion of murder after a body, reportedly that of his girlfriend, was recovered in the town.
Premier Phumulo Masualle’s spokeswoman Nomfanelo Kota yesterday said: “We condemn the Cala incident and we hope police will bring the perpetrators to book.”
She said there had been high levels of tolerance in the province and the premier had reiterated calls for tolerance during a government outreach to Humansdorp communities on Friday.
“We have not seen copy-cat behaviour of what has been happening elsewhere.”
ANC provincial spokesman Mlibo Qoboshiyana told the Daily Dispatch on Saturday the party would conduct anti-xenophobia meetings with communities.
“We have received a directive from our national office indicating leaders will campaign against xenophobia, afrophobia and tribalism in all regions,” Qoboshiyana said.
At the time, Qoboshiyana was at a prayer meeting and a march held by the ANC Youth League’s ward 4 in Beacon Bay.
A small group marched from Beacon Bay library to Nompumelelo Township to promote positive attitudes towards foreigners.
Sakhisizwe mayor Mlamli Jentile yesterday called for peace in the rural town of Cala where there were attacks and looting of shops owned by foreign nationals.
Since the incident, Jentile and his councillors, together with other leaders, have been holding meetings to quell any further attacks.
“We are pleading for cool heads. We urge people to embrace our African brothers and sisters and promote the spirit of ubuntu,” said Jentile. Shops operated by foreign nationals were closed since Friday but the mayor said the situation was calm and they could begin operating again.
He said a stakeholders’ meeting would be held in Cala tomorrow to discuss issues affecting foreigners.
Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre executive director Lesley Ann Foster confirmed the march planned for next Tuesday.
“Violence and related intolerance do not affect all members of victim groups in the same way. Therefore Masimanyane is sensitising women in South Africa to actively act against this dark cloud that has brought forward shocking images and stories.
“Ubuntu has no borders; the values of love and kindness are part of African culture. It’s in our nature to welcome our visitors. The dignity of all human beings must be respected, irrespective of where they are from.”
In churches yesterday believers were encouraged to unite in prayer, according to the Eastern Cape Council of Churches’ Reverend Mphumelelo Qwabaza.
“We are saddened by what has been happening in our country. As believers, we have all been created in God’s image.”
Qwabaza said South African citizens should share the little they had with other nationals.
“Our people must return to God and repent,” he said, adding the attacks on foreigners could have negative implications for the country.
ULoyiso Community Church, one of the fast growing churches in East London, also had a prayer session.
Pastor Thozamile Gwanya said the xenophobic attacks not only had negative implications for South Africa but the entire continent would receive a bad image.
“This is not just about attacks but this affects our development on a larger scale.”
Methodist Church Bishop Mthobeli Matyumza said special prayers were also said in their various churches.
“Our church always preaches about the issues of treating our brothers with love and respect. We emphasised that and hope to avoid any outbreaks in our province.”
He said this week they would be identifying areas where foreigners lived or worked in order to encourage better relations with locals.
“Many (foreigners) are helping us. There are many shops in Mdantsane run by foreign nationals.
“They do not steal from anyone but are helping us. As people we must all learn to live in harmony with one another,” he said.
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders deupty chairman Zolile Burns-Ncamashe said the organisation would encourage dialogue in all communities.
“It is not enough to talk in the media. There must be a direct engagements. We hope the people who are perpetuating this will explain during those engagements why they were doing this so we can address the root causes, not the symptoms.”
E Cape push for peace
The leaders spoke with one voice in condemning any violence on foreign nationals.
Many Christian leaders used Sunday church services to condemn the xenophobic attacks and call on believers to pray for and assist those affected by it.
The Daily Dispatch and SABC radio station TruFM have partnered with Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre to call East Londoners to an anti-xenophobia march at 1pm on April28.
The march will start at the war memorial in Oxford Street opposite the museum and the Buffalo City College.
Tensions flared in Cala on Friday when a 28-year-old Zimbabwean national was arrested on suspicion of murder after a body, reportedly that of his girlfriend, was recovered in the town.
Premier Phumulo Masualle’s spokeswoman Nomfanelo Kota yesterday said: “We condemn the Cala incident and we hope police will bring the perpetrators to book.”
She said there had been high levels of tolerance in the province and the premier had reiterated calls for tolerance during a government outreach to Humansdorp communities on Friday.
“We have not seen copy-cat behaviour of what has been happening elsewhere.”
ANC provincial spokesman Mlibo Qoboshiyana told the Daily Dispatch on Saturday the party would conduct anti-xenophobia meetings with communities.
“We have received a directive from our national office indicating leaders will campaign against xenophobia, afrophobia and tribalism in all regions,” Qoboshiyana said.
At the time, Qoboshiyana was at a prayer meeting and a march held by the ANC Youth League’s ward 4 in Beacon Bay.
A small group marched from Beacon Bay library to Nompumelelo Township to promote positive attitudes towards foreigners.
Sakhisizwe mayor Mlamli Jentile yesterday called for peace in the rural town of Cala where there were attacks and looting of shops owned by foreign nationals.
Since the incident, Jentile and his councillors, together with other leaders, have been holding meetings to quell any further attacks.
“We are pleading for cool heads. We urge people to embrace our African brothers and sisters and promote the spirit of ubuntu,” said Jentile. Shops operated by foreign nationals were closed since Friday but the mayor said the situation was calm and they could begin operating again.
He said a stakeholders’ meeting would be held in Cala tomorrow to discuss issues affecting foreigners.
Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre executive director Lesley Ann Foster confirmed the march planned for next Tuesday.
“Violence and related intolerance do not affect all members of victim groups in the same way. Therefore Masimanyane is sensitising women in South Africa to actively act against this dark cloud that has brought forward shocking images and stories.
“Ubuntu has no borders; the values of love and kindness are part of African culture. It’s in our nature to welcome our visitors. The dignity of all human beings must be respected, irrespective of where they are from.”
In churches yesterday believers were encouraged to unite in prayer, according to the Eastern Cape Council of Churches’ Reverend Mphumelelo Qwabaza.
“We are saddened by what has been happening in our country. As believers, we have all been created in God’s image.”
Qwabaza said South African citizens should share the little they had with other nationals.
“Our people must return to God and repent,” he said, adding the attacks on foreigners could have negative implications for the country.
ULoyiso Community Church, one of the fast growing churches in East London, also had a prayer session.
Pastor Thozamile Gwanya said the xenophobic attacks not only had negative implications for South Africa but the entire continent would receive a bad image.
“This is not just about attacks but this affects our development on a larger scale.”
Methodist Church Bishop Mthobeli Matyumza said special prayers were also said in their various churches.
“Our church always preaches about the issues of treating our brothers with love and respect. We emphasised that and hope to avoid any outbreaks in our province.”
He said this week they would be identifying areas where foreigners lived or worked in order to encourage better relations with locals.
“Many (foreigners) are helping us. There are many shops in Mdantsane run by foreign nationals.
“They do not steal from anyone but are helping us. As people we must all learn to live in harmony with one another,” he said.
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders deupty chairman Zolile Burns-Ncamashe said the organisation would encourage dialogue in all communities.
“It is not enough to talk in the media. There must be a direct engagements. We hope the people who are perpetuating this will explain during those engagements why they were doing this so we can address the root causes, not the symptoms.”
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