“Stop the xenophobic attacks” - leaders

Premier Chupu Mathabatha has made a call for traditional leaders and residents of the province not to be xenophobic, but instead to embrace foreigners in their areas "as brothers and sisters".

Addressing mourners at the Xikundu Mountain Bombers grounds on Saturday, during the funeral service of the late Hosi Hasani John Xikundu, Mathabatha said South Africans seemed to forget easily. “Not so long ago, we were exiles in the same countries where these foreigners come from and they hosted us with hospitality,” Mathabatha said.

He slammed those who say foreigners should be kept in refugee camps and praised traditional leaders in Malamulele, saying that he was aware that they had embraced foreigners. “We know that when foreigners come into your communities, we embrace them and make them comfortable,” he said.

He added, however, that it was atrocious that foreign nationals were pursued and their property looted, and others killed. "If there are challenges within the communities, politicians and chiefs must lead," he said.

He said in cases where foreigners commited crime, representatives of such communities must meet and agree on solutions. “It is not a solution to go and burn somebody’s house. For them, the police will take action, swiftly. Let us live in peace in honour of the late Minister Collins Chabane and Khosi Xikundu. We can then together say, 'down with xenophobia'," he added.

The premier’s words were welcomed by Mr Admiro Maluleke, representative of the Mozambizan government in Limpopo. He is also the ruling Frelimo party’s secretary for moblisation and propaganda. Maluleke said his people were generally welcomed in areas such as Malamulele, Giyani and Nkowankowa and he praised traditional leaders for their hospitality.

Vhavenda King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana said that people participating in xenophobic attacks must stop immediately.

In a statement to Limpopo Mirror, he said all South Africans were now being painted with the same brush and the outside world thought that all citizens were taking part in the attacks on strangers. “We must learn to be friendly to our African brothers and, in fact, everyone from this world,” he said, adding that those fanning these violent acts were just a minority with criminal intent and were hiding behind xenophobia. He added that the xenophobic acts went against the beliefs of what this country had fought for.

He mentioned that every individual had the duty to identify "these criminals", saying most of them brazenly appeared on television, gave interviews but were never arrested. “These people are known in our societies and must be brought to book,” he said, “Africa has probably the most welcoming people on earth. Wherever we go on this continent, we are welcomed with great respect.”

King Mphephu said Africans were known for loving each other and what was happening here was against the fundamentals of African culture.

Date:24 April 2015

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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