Xenophobia continues

Ok so we are proving to be a very giving and forgiving nation.....NOT. After two weeks of fighting and killing and stressful hiding a fleeing that foreign nationals from all over Africa had to do, they finally all got out of the townships, and hiding in police stations and churches, and settles in makeshift refugee camps. So we all thought it was all over now. These people could finally be helped by other South Africans who are the majority and who don't act like these few rogue citizens in the townships. Well that was what we all thought. Now the issue is with the rich. These camps have been set up in the suburbs of more affluent neighbourhoods, because this is where they will be safe. Now the residents wants them out of there, because they now feel these people who have been in South Africa working hard, and have been forced from their homes, beaten and killed, are going to pose a security threat to them and their children. How bourgeoisie of them. Maybe one day, someone, somewhere will actually extend a hand of peace and help to these poor frightened, unsure, unsafe people of Africa and make them feel welcome. And maybe that hand will come from Zimbabwe, coz it sure ain't coming from South Africa.

Entitlement vs Ownership

I was listening to the radio this morning, and a guy from Ghana phoned in to the show to talk about the Xenophobic attacks. He said he cant believe the mentality and attitude of the South African black people. He said that this is the only African country where the men are very willing to stay at home and do nothing, and depend on the woman to support them. He also said that this is the only place he knows of where the government gives free food, free houses to the unemployed. In his country they have to work for a house, and build it themselves. This is a very interesting point. Where does social responsibility end. Are we as South Africans all participating in social responsibility purely out of guilt for the past, and when are we going to stop feeling guilty. Should we be perpetuating the poverty be giving the poor more crutches to lean on. Give them a house, give them food. Don't teach them to work for anything, coz they can just get it for free. I am not sure where I stand regarding this issue, but I think I agree with the fact that its not very viable to give poor people everything accept the tools and knowledge to work. As a child I listened to many horror stories about how my grandparents had to suffer and work two or three jobs just to survive and feed their families. What is so different from then and now. Why could we as white people, in the apartheid government, have to work so hard and suffer so much, when today, in a democratic and equal South Africa, you can get it all without even trying hard....but only if you are black...and a South African. I think we should stop feeling guilty about apartheid, and start working to get everybody equal and on the same departure point. And I don't think we are going to get there by giving them houses and food. Its not called WORKING towards upliftment for nothing.

Africa Day

What did you do for Africa day today. Did you explore a new African restaurant? Did you watch an African movie on MNET Africa? Did you buy something at one of the African markets? Did you wear your once off African shirt you bought in Zanzibar? Did you feel proud to be African? Did you spare a thought for other Africans being killed and put out of their homes? Did you give support or food or shelter to an African being killed and put our of their home? Did you kill an African on Africa Day?

Xenophobia

As a South African today, I am very worried about the state of our country. These xenophobia attacks that have been happening are busy dragging our country through the mud. As far as I can understand, these attacks are coming from South Africans who are trying to get rid of the foreigners because, according to the south African black community, they are taking their jobs, houses, woman...the problem is however that these foreigners are actually willing to WORK to get get money and so buy all these these houses and woman. The problem as I see it, is that the black South Africans don't want to work, bu they don't want anybody else to work either. They expect to just get things handed to them on a platter. The other issue is when you Google xenophobia, the first hit on Google is 'South African Xenophobic attacks'. Is this the legacy we leave to the world. Coming from being synonymous with apartheid, to synonymous with Xenophobia. Happy Africa day South Africa!!!!