President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to stand against xenophobia and uphold the law, warning that concerns over illegal migration must not turn into prejudice against fellow Africans.
This comes as South Africa faces a wave of attacks on foreigners in cities like Durban, Cape Town and East London, with Ghana and Nigeria raising official complaints over the attacks.
Speaking during his Freedom Day address at Dr Rantlai Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, Ramaphosa explained his tance to South Africans.
“We did not walk alone into freedom. We were carried by a tide of solidarity from the nations of Africa, among many others,” Ramaphosa said.
“These countries opened their borders to our liberation fighters. They shared their bread and their homes. They spoke for us when we could not speak for ourselves. The leaders and people of Africa kept our struggle alive.”
He added that “it cannot be, and it must never be, that we trample into the dust the African fellowship that made our freedom possible.
“We are a people who live the value of ubuntu. We should never allow the legitimate concerns of our communities about illegal migration to breed prejudice towards our fellow Africans.
“We must not allow these concerns to give rise to xenophobia, directed towards people from other African countries or other any parts of the world. Instead, we must insist that the law be upheld and enforced.
Ramaphosa said the government was working around the clock to address the issue of illegal migration and to tackle corruption in the system.
“That is why we are clamping down on illegal migration and on businesses that flout our laws by hiring undocumented persons at the expense of our citizens.
“We are actively rooting out corruption in our immigration system. We will not allow people to take the law into their own hands. We extend hospitality to those who are guests in our country, with the expectation that generosity is honoured with respect for our society and its laws.
“As a nation that defeated colonialism and apartheid through international solidarity, we carry a responsibility to advance constitutional values beyond our borders.”
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
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