adminMhlaseli Sibangani Mpofu
Xenophobic attacks taking place in neighbouring South Africa need a clinical and intimate analysis, not just philosophical, academic and lukewarm condemnations since they find their origin, grounding and expression in thebroader social context that defines the violent and unpredictable urban set-up of our African brother country, even without any foreigner to talk about.
While it has been easy for a number of commentators and analysts alike to provide knee-jerk reactions and readily point at the legacy of apartheid, and current economic problems as causes to this unfortunate black-on-black mayhem, I would like to ponder further and bring forth yet another dimension rooted in this violence and xenophobia. By and large the diverse South African community has not been able to find solace and peace despite the fact that the country has been free since 1994. A closer look at how our neighbours conduct their business, social and economic issues will reveal some deep-seated writhing anger trying and struggling hard to heal.
The ready-to-explode kind of life will explain, how and why, on a normal day, the urban South African you see daily would change colours like a chameleon and decide to extinguish a foreigner’s life, claiming that that same life is responsible for the poverty bedevilling the so-called right owners of the country. It is the spontaneity of such kind of deed that should concern even the policy makers in that country, so that in the event such incidents recur, the response is not just some televised cultural imbizo, and endless “don’t-do-it” speeches from renowned artistes and politicians.
My analysis of the problem will reveal another angle which serves as a contributory factor to the violent nature of the ordinary South African, who, at the touch of a small button, would suddenly turn towards his neighbour, accuse him of stealing his job, woman, business opportunity and finds solace in finding a burning tyre to put around the neck of a foreign national. It is my humble and honest submission that this deep-seated anger is stereo-typed in the way our brothers and sisters down south lead their lives. A cursory look at what their numerous television stations give to people as entertainment will reveal to you that there is too much tyre neck-lacing, gun-totting, stabbings, wayward street behaviour, destruction of property and hero worshipping which is not only unconsciously supported, but also served as part of the larger entertainment dish when in fact it is the ordinary way of life.
Surely, why would a country like the Rainbow Nation derive any entertainment value in people raping, burning properties, stabbing others, stealing cars, acquiring un-licensed fire-arms, taking part in secret deals, illicit sex, ritual killings and other wanton activities too numerous to mention here. It is my contention that xenophobic attacks have their roots in the criminal nature of the country’s urban life, and that 21 years after their independence, the entertainment gurus in that country still draw comfort from showing soapies that depict that same violent nature, an indicator that it is a livelihood for millions of impoverished urban dwellers.
It is my contention that when the gang of four — Sifundi Mzimela, Ayanda Sibiya, Sizwe Mngomezulu and Mthinti Bhengu attacked and claimed the life of Mozambican Emmanuel Sithole, just to get some ciggaretes, (NOT EVEN FOOD!), they were not doing this for the first time. This wanton and callous act could have been repeated among their fellow South Africans over a number of occasions, in a number of townships with gusto because not only does it show some macho image, but it also depicts what the gang of four have been seeing in the locality, and also on television.
Just visit a number of soapies like Scandal, Rhythm City, Skeem Saam, Isidingo, Generations, Ashes etc and you will find how the community is mirrored — people having all the know-how to purchase a gun, to enter some-one’s property in the night and kill the person in order to take their property, to purchase an illegal document or find some means to strangle a new-born baby.
We formulate the story-lines and themes of our soapies following what we see daily but do we need to perpetuate it in the name of entertainment for even the new generations to see and emulate? What is the benefit of informing a whole new generation that in South Africa you can purchase a gun at a backyard shop, use it to commit a crime, and pay bribes here and there to escape the long arm of the law? I am literally saying this kind of behaviour is the normal diet for our children in South Africa daily, and it is not difficult to emulate this kind of behaviour when an opportunity arises, such as the xenophobic attacks which are quite overloaded with a local criminal element in them.
Can we not devise our entertainment differently so that we depart from admiring scenes which are negative? In 2008 the country experienced similar incidents which also claimed lives but there was no clear-cut policy review with regard to foreigners on the part of government. The fact that a recurrence caught the government unawares is an indicator that there is a criminal element which informs the part of life the urban South African leads. This means that even without foreigners, with adequate housing and respectable employment levels, you would still find cigarrette grabbers who make it a normal way of life to steal and kill as a means of living because this is ingrained in the way life is led.
A closer look at the way our neighbours conduct their service delivery protests depicts a community with a blatant disregard for authority. You may have witnessed a similar trend with regard to xenophobic attacks: destruction and killings without any fear of reprisals or respect for human life, all depicting a violent community bent on getting what it wants, no matter what. It is difficult to really imagine that people can break into a shop owned by an Ethiopian, beat him up and steal, claiming that the guy is responsible for their poverty, and that if he was in his native country, they would be in charge of that shop. This kind of thinking is not only immature but it is also misplaced more-so if you consider the global world that we live in today.
Recently at an imbizo, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi noted that when Eric Sontonga coined the song, “Nkosisikelel’ iAfrica,” (God Bless Africa) he had a vision for an independent, united and happy Africa with an integrated brotherly community that embraced unity in diversity. This is one major reason why a number of countries, including Zimbabwe, adopted the song as their national anthem, signifying the United States of Africa concept as proposed by the late Muammar Gaddaffi. The song does not say, “Nkosisikelel’ iSouth Africa!” Our brothers and sisters down south need to be reminded that they may find themselves in similar but unfortunate circumstances in the near future, that is, having to leave their country to seek better opportunities elsewhere just like what their neighbours are doing now.
It is therefore my humble submission that some of the factors leading to xenophobia need a deeper analysis as they originate largely from broader urban community stereotypes like electronic and other media whose influence is not only dangerous but can also be negatively inherited and emulated subconsciously for purposes of destruction. Any attempts to fast-track accusations, apologies and excuses to find solutions to mind-boggling community threats such as xenophobia should not just be philosophical knee-jerk reactions, but should go further to examine some basic stereo-typing that inform the way a given community behaves at given times, especially difficult ones.
Bongani Ndlovu