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"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA" PRESENTS South Africa belongs to all who live in it
Leeu APHANE (Economist)
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“South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity” – Preamble of the constitution
In this growing hostility towards refugees as we are approaching the commemoration of “Africa Refugee Day” on the 20th of June, I feel that it is essential that the world’s attention should be focused, annually, on the uniqueness of the problems, by commemorating this day. And that the timing is all right to talk to the South Africans about Xenophobic attacks which is currently talking place in our country. It is sad to know that in the continent today there are still people who find themselves in situations that leave them no option but to seek refuge outside their countries. As citizens of a democratic country South Africans must learn to associate themselves with the principles of democracy, peace, social and economic security justice. Because wherever we find countries of the world fighting for humanitarian wellbeing of people, South Africa is always there to assist. How can we assist others if we are the ones starting the fights? Refugees are people like us and while some South Africans see them as unwanted people who came to our country just to destabilize our economy, bringing along strange behaviour patterns, strange diseases and crime. Nothing is as self-deceiving, insensitive and indeed inhuman as this type of attitude.
I would like to plead with fellow South Africans to open their minds and view the question of refugees in broader and unselfish context, including the atrocities and the inhuman conditions from which refugees flee; we would undoubtedly develop a better and more humane understanding of this worldwide problem, because surely this is not a problem facing South Africa only. Refugees are not faceless people begging for our sympathy. They are people, who through no fault of their own, were caught up in some of the greatest and ugliest upheavals of this century. They are also people who, when given an opportunity, can contribute to the benefit of us all. A number of South Africans including our president have been exiled as a result of harsh treatment and persecution perpetrated against them by the previous government. Imagine what would have happened if the world had turned its back on them. When we deal with the issue of xenophobia in South Africa, we have to ask ourselves the question: what does the bible have to say regarding our attitude and treatment of refugees and aliens, people who had flee from their own countries?
The following are important quotes from the bible:
South Africa is for us all!
Leeu Aphane
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