kagablog

Free State News has observed with horror, chagrin, and utter disbelief the recent spate of xenophobic attacks in our beloved country (South Africa). The harrowing tales of people being attacked, burnt alive, hacked to pieces, women and children being violated. It is completely unacceptable.

The horrifying scenario is like something out of The heart of darkness, Joseph Conrad’s immortal work on black Africa. It is repugnant that just when the country was supposed to be taking great strides and joining the comity of “civilised” nations, we are apparently regressing.

Nor do we believe on harping on the fact that other black African countries were there to help, nurture, succour our people during the debilitating days of apartheid; that is not really the point. The thrust and issue is that of humanity, ubuntu. Why should we throw away our whole gains and legacy and positive groundswell of support?

There is nothing wrong with being our brother’s keeper. If anybody believes that pertinent people, local or foreigners, are criminals, they should be handed over to the law to deal with in salutary fashion. Repugnant hatred based on xenophobia can not be condoned. That is why right now our leaders are burying their heads in shame at the wanton attacks.

We live at a time when news, especially bad news, is being beamed around the world with gruesome fecundity. Hence what is happening now in our country is being luridly reported by the behemoths of media worldwide – BBC, CNN, New York Times, News of the world, among countless others. South Africa is being portrayed as a country of debased morals. This must stop immediately.

We must all realise that these execrable attacks can be disastrous for the country; some pundits and observers are already opining that this is already the case. President Mbeki, as he travels the world has been trenchantly embarrassed by these attacks. What would happen to the World Cup (2010) we are supposed to host? A so-called African World Cup where we are hounding and scaring foreigners away. Would hordes of tourists be ready to come to our shores for the World Cup?

We are however gratified that right here in the Free State, all is peaceful and it must continue to be so. The Free State is known worldwide as a peaceful Province, a place where human values hold sway, a place where people from different tribes, colour, languages and nationality work together harmoniously. And so it must remain. Do not allow evil forces to tear us apart!

Let us all join hands together and speak in one voice as we declaim: NO TO XENOPHOBIA!!!

- Free State News Editorial (26 May)