Prejudice against people from another country. That is what xenophobia is.
Violence, destruction, chaos: that is how best South Africa can be described currently.
The attacks started from Johannesburg’s city centre on Sunday when an old building in the CBD caught fire and collapsed, killing at least three people. It then spread through to the central business district. Cars and properties were set on fire and widespread chaos took a turn. These attacks are mainly targeting migrants from other African countries which someone would say is quite ironic. These migrants are seen as threats and are blamed for lack of jobs and limited services.
“The continuing attacks on Nigerian nationals and businesses in South Africa are unacceptable,” the government of Nigeria said on Twitter. “Enough is enough. Nigeria will take definitive measures to ensure safety and protection of her citizens”
Other people have come out to condemn the act and pledged unity. But who’s to blame? Police Minister Bheki Cele said xenophobia is being used as a cover up to criminality. “Xenophobia is used as an excuse,” Cele told journalists.
This Xenophobia crisis in South Africa has been a subject of conversation on social media, with a number of celebrities and influential people from South Africa and around the world such as comedian Trevor Noah, singer AKA and Nigerian singers Skales and Banky W taking to Twitter to voice their concerns and condemn these senseless acts of violence.
