Karima Brown and Wilson Johwa
26 May 2008
Johannesburg — AS AFRICANS celebrated Africa Day around the world yesterday, President Thabo Mbeki said South Africans had to celebrate the day with their heads "bowed in shame".
He was addressing the nation in a broadcast after two weeks of violence left 50 people dead and thousands displaced.
Violence directed at foreign Africans erupted in Gauteng townships and informal settlements, and spread to other provinces.
"Never since the birth of our democracy have we witnessed such callousness," said Mbeki. The violence was an "absolute disgrace" and contrary to the values of most South Africans.
Mbeki cited John Dube, Thomas Nkobe, Joe Slovo and Ruth First as examples of true Africans, many of whom came from immigrant families.
Mbeki's message of tolerance and African solidarity came amid mounting calls for his resignation, likely to grow louder this week. The Sunday Times called on Mbeki yesterday to step down "in the interest of his country".
Immigration policy will be discussed at meetings of the top brass of the African National Congress's (ANC's) leftist allies, the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party.
Condemning violence and destruction of homes and property, Mbeki said the government would stick to its policy of integrating foreign nationals rather than confining them to special camps.
He promised tough action against perpetrators of violence. Nobody, however legitimate their grievances, would be allowed to take them out on those who were "vulnerable". He blamed the barbarity of the past two weeks on "a few criminals". "Nobody should doubt the state's capacity to deal with such criminals," Mbeki said.
State security agencies have come under attack for not warning the government of the planned attacks on foreigners.
Mbeki offered no explanation for the attacks, or solutions. He said the government had set up an interdepartmental task team to investigate and make recommendations.
Migration was a global phenomenon. SA had to learn from the experiences of other countries to avoid "mismanaging" it.
Analysts have long warned that the government's refusal to review its immigration policy and its stance on refugees would result in a backlash.
Mbeki commended "patriots" and other civic-minded people who had come forward to assist with the humanitarian crises. He emphasised that civic education was not only the government's responsibility.
"This is a time for unity, it's a time to speak with one voice."
Mbeki committed SA to work with its neighbours, saying the country's progress was tied to advancements in other African countries.
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I thougt he was a part of a liberation movemeet ? at sometime or the other.
Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai & the MDC-T Party:
If you win the June 27th election what is the price Zimbabwe will have to pay in order to eliminate economic sanctions installed by the United States of America, Great Britain, and the European Union?
Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai or the MDC-T has never answered any questions concerning eliminating economic sanctions. I wonder why.
When or if you and (MDC-T) gain the presidency and parliamentary majority and a western foreign influenced administration is installed; and the white farmers return; what foreign mercenaries or contractors, or government military forces will you use to stop more than half the population who will disagree with you about your new land return program?
What happens when you cannot dismantle sanctions because your Zimbabwean parliament demands sovereignty for Zimbabwe?
Mr. Tsvangirai now would be an opportune time for you to prove through written documents the following: a) Provide proof about the assassination attempt on your life. b) Prove that you won more than 50.3 percent of the vote on March 29, 2008.
c) Provided proof of corruption charges that the Zimbabwe Election Commission cannot conduct fair and free elections; although MDC-T has accepted the present election results.
If the results of the March 29, 2008 are correct, as of May 25, 2008 they are, than you owe the world media and Zimbabweans in particular an international apology.
An apology is due because you and MDC-T have spent one month giving the world press permission to demonize and degrade your own country and president based on unsubstantiated theories and fallacies so far.
I wish the people of Zimbabwe the best and hope they will have another harmonized peaceful election.
PS: Why did the United States Ambassador James McGee have to break international protocol and interfere in Zimbabwe internal affairs to force you to return home to your own people and new run-off elections?
And why did you wait more than five days to speak up for your fellow compatriots in South Africa during the “xenophobia” debacle?
I believe MDC-T was one of many attributing causes in the South African xenophobia debacle.
First, your support for economic sanctions that is crippling Zimbabwe financially and MDC-T supported migration.
Second, while being granted with guest refugee status in South Africa by President Mbeki and the government; MDC-T saw fit to rudely, and arrogantly cursing, insulting, and demeaning the President of South Africa and the SADC to the western media was crude in its application and uncivilized for a potential statesman.
Third, MDC-T took advantage of the welcome “refugee” like status to establish a political militia base, while generating capital to sponsor the overthrow of Zimbabwe (according to MDC-T’s own official stated objectives) from South Africa.
How can the apartheid—uncompensated—victims of South Africa’s racist system watch foreigners with government approval enter their country, set up businesses and employ themselves, and the poor residents don’t react emotionally?
Or was the “xenophobic debacle” a sadistic tactic to cause a mass Zimbabwean return from South Africa back to Zimbabwe to influence MDC-T voting in the June 27, 2008 run-off elections?
In conclusion; let the members of each party unite as one and the leaders fight it out among themselves.