S’Africa Xenophobic Attacks: Ramaphosa Sues For Tolerance, Says “Africans Supported Us During Apartheid”

By Akanni Toba

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the citizens of the country to sheathe their sword and  embrace tolerance in a bid to stem the wave of xenophobic attacks raging across the former  apartheid nation.

Ramaphosa urged South Africans to display kindness and brotherly love towards African migrants on the shores of their country.

While speaking on Tuesday,  after a meeting with Daniel Chapo, president of Mozambique, Ramaphosa reminded South Africans of the sacrifices made by other African nations to break the vicious cycle of racial discrimination by standing by the country during its struggle against apartheid.

“South Africans inherently are not against people from other nations. We are one people, we have always been one people, and of course, we’ve got to also pay heed to the security of those from other countries who are in South Africa, but also pay heed to the concerns that are being raised by South Africans,” Ramaphosa said.

“President Chapo and myself discussed this matter, and we agreed that we should work together. It’s not only one country that is affected.

“All countries that have foreign nationals in South Africa are also affected as South Africa is affected, so we must all work together, join hands, to find solutions to this problem. In the past, we have found solutions.

“And we say, South Africans do not have a hatred to other people from other countries on our continent. They supported us during our struggle.

“As much as South Africans are going through tough economic challenges right now, we also need to be acting as people who are kind and welcoming to other people from other nations.

“But we also say to employers in South Africa, that we’ve passed a law that people who do not have the necessary work permits in South Africa should not be employed, we should give way to South Africans.”

Ramaphosa asked foreigners to ensure they have the right documentation to reside in the country just as South Africans need to have proper documentation to live in other countries.

The appeal by the South Africa’s helmsman comes in the wake of  xenophobic attacks which have sparked fear and apprehension across the country.

Many shops belonging to Nigerians and other foreign nationals have been torched since the attacks erupted while two Nigerians have reportedly lost their lives.

Meanwhile, Nigerians are not the only foreigners at the receiving end of the attacks African nationals from Ghana and Zimbabwe have also been caught in the vortex of the xenophobic waves