The ongoing extermination of fellow African people who are not South Africans natives but who are living in South Africa by South Africans is both deplorable and callous. This is because there would have been no South Africa for these disgruntled and misguided barbarians to lay claim to as theirs were it not for the concerted efforts of every African and their respective governments who fought apartheid off. These Africans paid taxes to their government who in turn supported anti-apartheid movements with such money which culminated to Nelson Mandela being freed from Robin Island prison penultimate his presidency which heralded full freedom for South Africa. Now these urchins are claiming that South Africa is their exclusive preserve and that non natives black Africans are thus not welcomed there; leading to the wanton disregard for human lives currently pervading South Africa. This is condemnable and should be so condemned by all men of good faith and decency. Icheoku heretofore condemn and unequivocally, the genocide currently going on in South Africa! Who the heck are these South Africans that they should be committing genocide of unprecedented magnitude against fellow Africans upon whose back they got their freedom? This is the same South Africa that the doyen of talk show, Oprah Winfrey invested a whooping $40million dollars establishing a girls academy there yet Oprah is not a South African and would have been so killed were she a plebeian subsisting in South Africa. Where is Nelson Mandela amidst all these pogrom? Where is the father of Africa when some of his children are being killed off and forced to flee for their lives from South Africa which they jointly freed from apartheid? Where is the outrage of Desmond Tutu, the peace-maker? Where is African Union? What is Thabo Mbeki's government doing to checkmate these arrant nonsense and unwarranted mayhem? This blogger remembers very vividly the involvement of then General Olusegun Obasanjo led Nigerian government with the struggle against apartheid both in manpower training and development as well as equipping the freedom fighters with their canteen and sometimes paying their staffers. This blogger equally remembers the sacrifices of people of then Rhodesia now Zimbabwe many of whom spilled their blood waging urban guerrilla warfare with both Botha and Ian Smith led oppressive governments. Now that Africans should be putting their heads together to explore the chances of reintegration from the colonial balkanization, just like the Europeans are doing through the European Union and other regional blocs are exploring through various regional cooperation, Africans are rather busy killing one another; South African are currently carrying out this genocide against fellow brother Africans because, according to them, they are not one of their own. When will Africa become a grown up? How can a blackman call a fellow blackman a stranger in motherland Africa? When will Africa begin to value precious blood of life in human beings by respecting the sanctity of life? Do Africans really treasure being called barbarians because of their love and penchant for shedding blood? Today it is South Africa, last time it was Rwanda, the other day Kenya, then Liberia, then Ivory Coast, then Sierra Leone, same with Uganda, also the intractable Congo, likewise the failed state of Somalia, then the Darfurians of Sudan and Chad just to mention a few of the hotbeds of Africa, where the West is making bountiful profit through arms sales with which they keep their population forcibly in check. Why would Africa be the biggest market for firearms and munition when it cannot feed her populace? Something is not right with this picture and a call for a speedy solution is the clarion cry of Icheoku. Africans must learn to be their brother's keeper and should see every blackman as a brother to be assimilated rather than exterminated. The world is laughing at the sordid affairs in Africa and has since declared Africa the cursed part of the body world. Africa is the cry baby of the world and Africa is the last outback of a developed and developing world. Hunger is worst in Africa! Disease is worst in Africa! Natural and man-made disasters are pandemic in Africa! Education is least developed in Africa! Nothing scientifically or otherwise has been bequeathed to the world by Africa! Wars are highest in Africa! Killing of one another is highest in Africa! Genocide is highest in Africa! Poverty is highest in Africa! Sit tight governments are most prevalent in Africa with the Mubarak of Egypt, Qaddafi of Lybia, Mugabe of Zimbabwe readily coming to mind. What use then is Africa one may ask? Africa cannot get her acts together and these wanton shedding of African blood by fellow Africans can only exacerbate an already bad situation, hence must be stopped and NOW! For desecrating Africa by shedding the blood of fellow Africans, the people of South Africa are hereby declared by Icheoku as the ungrateful ingrates of the African continent! They are despicable! Their acts are abominable! They are the present day barbarians of Africa! They are the decrepitude of African humanity and stands condemned by Icheoku for being the biblical Esau of Africa by killing their brother Abel fellow Africans! Such dying cries of butchered Africans go straight to God who has thus decreed South Africans a cursed people of Africa! South Africa will continue to wear this toga until they repent of their sins and ask for forgiveness of all Africans. Woe to you South Africans for killing fellow Africans on such a flimsy excuse as being non indigenous! Instead of becoming a melting pot UNITED STATES of AFRICA just like America, South Africa has today become the killing field of Africa where fellow Africans are butchered for no real reason at all. As of today, 56 Africans of non South African origin living in South Africa has been killed with 650 of them seriously injured by these hyena-South Africans! When will enough be really enough South Africa? Your act is both deplorable and criminal. Shame on you, South Africans!
I agree with you Ebekuo that what happened in SA was very shameful.However, a greater slice of the shame belongs to President Thabo Mbeki and his ruling party for not providing their people with the bare necessities of life.Clearly, their failure led to this carnage.
ReplyDelete10 Nigerians Nabbed for Killing S’African
ReplyDeleteTen Nigerians were arrested in Philippi, a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa, weekend for allegedly stabbing a man repeatedly in what appears to have been a revenge attack after a raid on a house.
This development is coming at the time of a state visit to South Africa by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua today.
The Independent Online quoted a police source as saying the attack took place after a group of men tried to break down the door to a house where three Nigerian men and a woman were staying.
"They were demanding that the Nigerians leave the area," the police source said.
The Nigerians, fearing for their lives, phoned their friends and as the locals left more Nigerians arrived.
They chased and caught one of the local men and stabbed him several times. He died on the scene and 10 of the Nigerians were arrested. They are expected to appear in court this week.
Yar' Adua's visit comes amid attempts by Nigeria to seek compensation for victims of anti-immigrant violence.
"The president will leave Abuja on Monday (today) and return on Thursday, for a visit aimed at forging closer ties between Africa's most populous country and its biggest economy,” presidential spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi told AFP.
The visit has been overshadowed by widespread xenophobic attacks that have targeted Nigerians among other foreigners living in South Africa.
Yar'Adua has said dialogue, and not retaliation, is the way to resolve the anti-foreigner sentiment that has affected scores of Nigerian residents living in Johannesburg.
Although no Nigerian has been reported among the 62 killed in the violence, many of them have lost their property or had their shops looted.
Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe said last week that a list of those affected had been compiled with a view to pursuing compensation claims with the South African government.
Yar'Adua begins his official programme tomorrow with a welcome ceremony by his South Africa counterpart Thabo Mbeki. The two leaders are expected to sign bilateral agreements before an official banquet.
On Wednesday, Yar'Adua and Mbeki will participate in a Nigeria business forum, whereafter the Nigerian leader will address the World Economic Forum on Africa being held in Cape Town.
Having just marked his first year as president of Africa's most populous country, Yar'Adua said in a live television interview that problems such as xenophobia needed to be resolved "through dialogue".
"I am going to South Africa next week on a state visit. Nigeria is playing a very critical and important role on the African continent ... so the issue of retaliation does not arise," he said.
More than 60 people have been killed and tens of thousands of foreigners left homeless, mainly around Johannesburg, following two weeks of attacks which later spread to most parts of South Africa.
Many South African firms and investors are operating in Nigeria, Africa's biggest market with 140 million people.
Prominent among them is MTN, a digital mobile firm with over 30 million subscribers.
Last week, South African deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka was in Nigeria to attend a three-day meeting of the Nigeria/South Africa bi-national commission.
The commission was set up to foster stronger economic ties between the two African giants.
Mbeki Apologises To Nigeria
ReplyDeletePresident Thabo Mbeki yesterday apologised to affected Nigerians over the xenophobic violence that wracked South Africa recently, leading to the death of 62 persons.
He made the apology at a news conference shortly after a closed door bilateral discussion with President Umaru Yar’Adua at the Parliamentary complex in Cape Town.
"We have apologised to President Yar’Adua with regard to these attacks that have taken place in some parts of our country," Mbeki said, adding, "Attacks against other Africans in particular and we have assured him that as government, we are very much opposed to all of this. We are opposed to any manifestation of xenophobia that may arise and that we are quite determined to make sure that we protect the security of everybody."
He added that his government was against segregation of foreign nationals, adding that the process of reintegration of displaced people was being done as quickly as possible.
"The segregation, including residence in exclusive camps, is indeed unfortunate. Many of our communities are indeed indicating that people with whom they have lived for a long time should come back for that process of reintegration," he said.
Responding, Yar’Adua expressed sympathy with the South African government and the victims of xenophobia.
He added that it was heart-warming that "the government and the President made determined and committed efforts to control and put a stop to the situation."
The Southern Africa correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mbeki had during a recent live broadcast described the violence that claimed 62 lives as "shameful."
More than 70,000 people have been displaced while about 500 suspects arrested have been arraigned in courts for alleged charges of murder, attempted murder, violence and looting. Similarly, President Yar’Adua has said Africa must seek to transform from its regional economic communities to a continental economic union or face marginalisation by globalisation.
He stated this yesterday in Cape Town, while addressing a joint session of the South African parliament. "The realities of today’s fast globalising, knowledge and technology-driven world make it incumbent on us all as leaders to work towards greater political and socio-economic integration within Africa," he said. He said Nigeria had steadfastly supported this vision on the basis of a gradual approach in the light of the social, economic, and political inequalities within states of the AU. He said that there was a critical need for the strengthening and consolidation of internal governance and growth structures to achieve integration. He said Africa was facing daunting economic and socio-political challenges, which could only be overcome by accepting democracy, good governance, accountability, due process, equity, justice, and focused pro-people leadership. "Mother Africa demands of us renewed commitment to the regeneration of our continent. Our two nations have a historic obligation to once again deploy our resources all as the Frontline States in the quest for a new, stable, secure, and prosperous Africa. "My dear brothers, my dear sisters, possessed of a clear vision of a resurgent dawn for our continent, let us resolve this day...to rededicate ourselves and hold aloft the banner of hope for Africa’s posterity," the President said. He recalled the immense contribution made by Nigeria in the liberation of South Africa from apartheid, saying the relationship should be used to promote economic and social development of Africa. "Our two nations have the historical and moral responsibility to be at the forefront of confronting our continent’s endemic developmental challenges. These are critical times for Africa and they call for single-minded, courageous, people-focused and results-oriented leadership. "I dare aver that this is not a matter of choice. It is an abiding duty which Nigeria and South Africa owe Mother Africa," he said. He said what was required for Africa’s regeneration and transformation were a degree of structural, institutional cohesion and stability within Africa’s respective national borders. Yar’Adua added that no meaningful progress could be achieved with weak economic and political structures and institutions. "This situation ordinarily should make for greater cohesiveness, evident unity of purpose, and stability. It is therefore incumbent on the political leaderships in both countries to subordinate primordial loyalties and narrow interests to the collective national interest. "We must manage our respective transitional processes with utmost good faith and consummate courage. "We can only practically face up to our economic and socio-political development challenges through the adoption and engendering of a new political culture that is conducive to long-term growth and development," he said. Yar’Adua also praised the heroic role played by the past South African leaders "who willingly sacrificed all and made their bodies bridges to the promise that is today’s proud and prosperous nation." He also praised President Mbeki’s role for carrying "steadfastly and courageously" the torch of democratic consolidation alongside economic prosperity of South Africa."He deserves our commendation for his efforts at peace-making and conflict-resolution, not only within the Southern African region, but beyond,"' he said. Yar’Adua welcomed Mbeki’s unambiguous condemnation of the recent unfortunate developments in parts of South Africa. "These incidents, which had the potential of undermining our collective resolve to build enduring foundations for African integration, have fortunately been effectively checked by the South African authorities," Yar’Adua said. He also expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the two countries under their Bi-National Commission and hoped that the commission would continue to drive "our shared vision for our peoples".
XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS IN SOUTH AFRICA
ReplyDeleteLAST month’s xenophobic attacks on foreigners in parts of South Africa drew worldwide outrage. More than 60 people were reportedly killed and several thousands had to seek shelter at police stations, community halls, army barracks and other places because of the needless and senseless violent attacks. The rampaging horde – bearing axes, machetes, all sort of guns and other dangerous weapons – also injured many others while items worth several millions of South African Rand were looted from shops in the economic hub of Johannesburg, which later spread to the coastline city of Durban.
There were also reports of similar incidents in the East Rand in Gululethu and Ramaphosa settlements where shacks were set ablaze, while in Umbila – Durban’s impoverished suburb – a tavern believed to be owned by Nigerians was attacked by the mob that had ordered foreigners to leave Kwa-Zulu Natal, the country’s most populous province. The locals accused the foreigners, who migrated to South Africa in search of jobs and better life, of committing crimes and depriving them of employment opportunities.
The reason alleged by the locals for the looting, maiming and killing of fellow Africans is despicable, repugnant and nauseating, to say the least. In this age and time, it is outlandish and unthinkable that South Africans would exhibit and mete out such primitive cruelty and anarchy to fellow Africans who collectively fought the apartheid system and won self-determination for the country. Indeed, the May xenophobic butchery was a semblance of the 1976 Soweto massacre by the apartheid regime. Certainly, the action of the locals was pointless, unprovoked and condemnable in no uncertain terms. It has painted the country’s image abroad in bad light. And this is contrary to the ideals, spirit and intentions of the formation of the African Union, where Africans see one another as brothers and sisters and are free to live and work in any African country of their choice in peace.
Again, media reports of the unwarranted and relentless persecution, intimidation and rough treatment of Nigerians by the South African police, without any provocation, are bothersome, agonizing and unfortunate. Some of the attacks were reportedly fatal. The most recent attacks involved the shooting of five Nigerians by the South African police. While we do not condone violent behavior and criminality by some uncouth foreigners in foreign lands, we dare say our citizens must be treated with some dignity. And if any of them is found wanting, they should be brought to justice, rather than applying the law of the jungle in the name of fighting crime.
The May attacks of foreigners, however, were condemned by prominent South Africans such as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and the incumbent President Thabo Mbeki who has apologized on behalf of the government and people of South Africa for the needless attacks. The government has been doing everything possible to relocate the fleeing refugees and the injured are being treated in government hospitals across the country. This move is praiseworthy, but the authorities must not stop there. Those who lost their lives and property must be compensated, just as the perpetrators of the odious act must be tracked down and brought to justice – if future attacks must be averted – to serve as deterrent to future criminals.
Finally, we call on the Federal Government to take stock of all the Nigerian victims in the South African hostility with a view to ascertaining the extent of the damage meted out to its citizens. The government should also pursue with great force its foreign policy on the protection of all Nigerians across the globe.