Something like this was very unexpected, especially from a place like South Africa which prides itself in overcoming one of the greatest obstacles of institutionalized oppression, Apartheid. The feeling across South Africa amongst normal South Africans is “Why is this happening?” Of course, the confusion is justified, during South Africa’s Apartheid days, many were exiled to countries in Africa and elsewhere and were welcomed with open arms.
Now, 14 years after democracy, peace and stabilization was brought to the country we see our own denying the basic human rights of so many for no other reason than they are not “South African”. It’s inhumane and disgusting and we should be ashamed of ourselves for denying our legacy and throwing it back in the face of all those who believed so much in our cause.
The violence had begun in Alexandra township, 5 kilometers from the main Business district of Sandton in Johannesburg and within a week, like some sort of weird idea virus, the violence had spread to Durban in Kwazulu Natal, it spread to Mpumalanga and even to Cape Town. People, foreigners and South African citizens, began to fear for their lives because the violence was based on something very irrational. In some cases it did not even matter if the people were foregin or not… if they didn’t speak Zulu they were attacked.
For now, we can only hope that this scourge of violence ends and some semblance of peace prevails. The government is dragging its feet unbelievably and we need to come together as South Africans, honouring our legacy and looking for a solution.
Let’s hope thee future holds a brighter light for us, because right now, we’re staring straight into the darkness of our humanity.
