By Phumla Williams
Since the dawn of democracy, our government has consistently promoted tolerance and encouraged South Africans to live side by side with people from other countries.
This is precisely because, as a people, we have embraced the spirit of ubuntu, which says Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, which means that a person is a person through other people.
We therefore strongly condemn the recent criminal acts in KwaZulu-Natal, instigated by opportunistic individuals. These criminal actions go against what we fought for, and undermine our democracy.
We call on communities to be vigilant and avoid being influenced by people keen to exploit such events.
No amount of economic and social hardship can justify violence; such actions are an assault on our equality, dignity and the bonds of solidarity that bind us on the continent.
As we celebrate 25 years of freedom and democracy, we should never forget that African countries played a key role in our attainment of freedom.
Many fellow African countries accommodated our leaders and activists. Also, a number of migrant mine workers from the SADC region contributed to our economy from the time of the discovery of gold in South Africa.
Speaking at a fund-raising dinner in KZN recently, President Cyril Ramaphosa stressed the important role our fellow Africans have played in our democracy and development.
“They supported us, willingly and in a comradely manner, and some of them were far afield – countries like Uganda who were not even our neighbours supported us because they felt that racism and apartheid was an abomination against humanity.
“They joined the Struggle, gave us refuge, embraced us and supported our Struggle in more ways than you can imagine – militarily, resource-wise – and gave our people a number of skills,” he said.
These African countries continue to support us in our drive to advance the African agenda. For instance, they supported South Africa’s quest for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
This year we again assumed our seat as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, and we need the support of our African brothers and sisters if we are to successfully advance the African agenda.
Our country also reaps benefits from our extensive trade and investment relations with partners on our continent, while skilled foreign nationals continue to make important contributions to the development of our country.
To reflect on the spate of violence against foreign nationals, our government convened an urgent meeting of emissaries from the African continent.
This meeting sought to explore ways in which all of us can work together to promote peaceful coexistence in communities across the country.
Key to this is not allowing criminals to drive a wedge between ourselves and our African brothers and sisters. These malicious acts must be seen for what they truly represent.
We call on all South Africans to join in condemning those criminal elements who are doing everything they can to ruin the way in which we relate to each other.
Let us in the spirit of Ubuntu protect and partner with our fellow Africans living in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent.
As citizens, we have a duty to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution, which proclaims that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it”.
We must ensure foreign nationals living here enjoy the same protection we do under the Constitution.
Communities should join hands with government to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their country of origin, is protected from any form of violence, and respected for who they are and what they represent.
We dare not allow the actions of a few to taint our legacy of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. It is up to every South African to live up to the values and spirit of ubuntu.
Williams is acting director-general of the Government Communication and Information System
