CAPE TOWN - It seems that the abuse experienced by immigrants in South Africa, dubbed xenophobia, is sadly not unique, but rather some sort of international phenomena. (Pictured: An immigrant was treated Saturday after being wounded in clashes with residents of Rosarno, in the southern region of
It has been an eye opener to see last weeks outbreak of violence in Italy, strangely defined as racism. In Italy asylum seekers are black, but the common denominator of the abused was not just skin colour but also the obvious targeting of the impoverished among African migrants.
It is again a matter of the poor expressing their frustrations from service delivery problems, high unemployment, low wages and crime against foreigners to garner the much-needed attention. To add fuel to the existing frustrations, the international media has reported that a high number of them, similar to the situation in South Africa, have been unable to obtain proper documentation. This has made them obvious targets. Thieves target them because they are afraid to report crimes, employers aiming to exploit them target them, and they are used in political games to garner more votes through hate speech.
We must see their struggle in the same light as the struggle faced by immigrants here in South Africa, and we must show our solidarity with victims of the violence that escalated and ultimately lead to the displacement of about 1000 Africans.
In South Africa things remain tense with a lot of concern about what will happen to Zimbabweans following the world cup soccer. The prospect of both a withdrawal of international attention and an election in 2011 will surely pose a large amount of pressure on the immigration policies, which govern all foreigners. It is not a time to relax but rather a time to prepare for and to encourage unity among the Diaspora.
Indeed we have seen the evil side of politics in De Doorns- where despite a petition signed by almost every single camp resident, our activities have still been restricted. They have applied a large amount of pressure to deny legal advice and impartial monitoring of conditions the displaced Zimbabweans are living in. In many hostile efforts the government has tried to divide and separate us but Zimbabweans are used to the tactics of the oppressor and remain resilient.
We must see the issue of the need to protect the Diaspora as a global one and thus we need to continue in efforts to change the global mind set, in which communities see immigrants as criminals instead of desperate but honest workers. We must recognise and welcome this weeks message by the Pope (against xenophobia and racism) and encourage religious leaders at all levels and from all religions to publicly stand against mindless abuse of asylum seekers.
Post published in: Opinions