By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The eldest granddaughter of former South African President Nelson Mandela, has condemned xenophobic violence in the country, urging citizens not to allow economic hardship and social frustrations to erode the country’s founding values of justice, reconciliation and Ubuntu (humanity).
Ndileka Mandela, in a video posted by BBC Africa said her grandfather’s vision for South Africa was rooted in fairness, compassion and respect for human dignity.
“Grandad (Mandela) believed in justice and reconciliation. South Africa was built on the will of dignity, justice, reconciliation and Ubuntu,” she said.
While acknowledging that South Africa is battling legitimate challenges, such as illegal immigration, crime and border management, and however stressed that such issues must be addressed within the framework of constitutionality.
“We cannot allow the hardship we face to diminish that, our shared humanity. While these are legitimate concerns about border management, illegal immigration, criminality, this should be addressed firmly through the rule of law.”
Mandela, however, warned that violence and xenophobic attacks could never provide solutions to the country’s problems.
“However, violence, intimidation and xenophobia can never be the answer. This is really concerning and heartbreaking because this reflects the pain, frustration and anxiety of many South Africans who are experiencing unemployment, poverty, inequality, crime and the rising cost of living,” she said.
She said the economic realities confronting many South Africans deserved recognition and urgent attention but cautioned against directing public anger toward foreign nationals.
“And I believe that these deserve to be acknowledged and addressed. At the same time, I also believe that South Africans must not allow frustration to become hatred,” she said.
Mandela also recalled the role played by neighbouring African countries in supporting South Africa’s liberation struggle against apartheid, saying their contributions should never be forgotten.
“It was the frontline states that helped South Africa to reach the stage of democracy and to have our first democratic elections and that cannot be forgotten,” she said.
Quoting her grandfather, she reminded South Africans of his enduring message on freedom and shared humanity.
She said, “Granddad (Nelson Mandela) reminded us and I will quote: ‘I am not truly free, if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me.'”
Attacks in South Africa against African nationals have seen several countries including Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, and Ghana evacuate their citizens.
Anti-migrant protesters have accused illegal immigrants of being responsible for pressure on infrastructure and lack of job opportunities.
A June 30 deadline for all illegal immigrants to leave the country saw mass exodus of African nationals over fear of uncertainty. Ghana and Nigeria have accused Pretoria of killing their nationals in the protests, an allegation South Africa denies.
