South Africans does not hate Nigerians and other foreigners residing in the country and the recent xenophobic attacks is a result of social challenges that faced the citizenry. This is according to the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Lulu Mnguni.
The envoy spoke in reaction to fresh xenophobic violence in his country, said the solution to the crisis was being mapped out, assured that his country does not hate other nationals.
His words: “The root cause can be viewed more as social challenges that exist when some people find out that their businesses are being threatened,” he told Daily Trust.
“When we were growing up, we had businesses that were run by our own people but now they feel that outsiders have taken over. It is a question of leadership.
“I think when people come in we need to see how they can consciously make sure they form partnerships so that they don’t see each other as competitors.
“Some believe that people who create problems come into the country illegally and they say South Africa must control the borders. It is not every foreigner that comes into the country illegally.
“Some of them do a lot in terms of development of South Africa. Some bring scarce skills. Education is a challenge for us because Apartheid never allowed us to have education.
“Those who come from countries that have been free for quite some time, like Nigeria, help in bringing those skills to make sure that the country moves forward. People don’t know where we’ve come from with Nigeria, including our own people.
“We want to create a cosmopolitan society and it is only through the coming in of people from other parts of Africa that we can achieve this. So, we need to instill in our people this sense of brotherhood.
“However, we are doing a lot to follow up on the people who are involved. It’s not good, it does not reflect well on us as a country.
“Some of the concerns raised by our citizens are sometimes genuine and the police and other state workers must begin to address them.
“We also appeal to fellow Africans who come to South Africa to respect the laws of the country because South Africans are generally not anti-people. But there are some things that need to be fully addressed to get rid of this problem.
“We need to educate our people on our history, we need to consciously welcome partnerships, even in business, between Nigerians, South Africans or Burkina Faso, and so this unnecessary fear is dispelled”.
