News updates on xenophobia in South Africa
compiled by eMzantsi Ubuntu Coalition and posted here by megan | 05.10.2008 14:43
The eMzantsi Ubuntu Coalition blog brings together news from all groups and individuals involved in the struggle against xenophobia in South Africa. It is updated regularly:
http://emuc.ilocals.info/
http://emuc.ilocals.info/
Zackie Achmat’s speech for civil society 3rd Oct, 2008
INDELIBLE MEMORY: XENOPHOBIC TERROR AND DECENT CITIZENS
Thank you. This is a written speech because I do not want to cry or get one word wrong. No names will be mentioned because there are too many. So let me start.
1. The xenophobic terror that spread across parts of our country marked the darkest time in South African history since the Mfecane when King Shaka tried to absorb or destroy people who were independent into a state of Zulu people. A state that resisted colonialism but that rested on terror. But, today our actions are worse because we know better.
2. This xenophobic terror was foreshadowed by the executive lawlessness of President Mbeki and his Cabinet who watched two million deaths and millions of HIV infections. When they maimed Parliament, the Human Rights Commission (which has attempted its best in this crisis) and other independent state institutions. An executive lawlessness that has seen the cover up of corruption from the arms deal to Travelgate, the protection of a criminal police chief and the dismissal of an independent prosecutor.
3. This has led to the political lawlessness led by the Friends of Jacob Zuma who will kill or die in his name and who will attack the judiciary and the Constitution. But, the same people who will use pangas and knives against the vulnerable refugees, immigrants, asylum-seekers, lesbians and women who wear mini-skirts found their roots in the executive lawlessness that has bred a culture of impunity in our society. Xenophobia is bred by the nation State – the policeman who arrests, beats, or seeks bribes from the asylum-seeker, the Home Affairs official who cannot spell “persecution” but denies a permit, the President who cannot give xenophobia and Afrophobia a name.
4. The xenophobic terror showed the poorest people attacking the most vulnerable because of inequality, state corruption and a struggle for resources.
5. We can never justify this terror. We can never expect forgiveness for our actions because it is all our actions when we do not look at injustice, or, do not greet the refugee or so-called “non”-national. We must say: we are ashamed, we are sorry and we are sad.
6. “But” always signals a disagreement or difficulty, a challenge, or, as some of us robustly say: the “but” identifies a problem. Today, when I say “this crisis was dark but…” - this word means a different world. A world that recognizes difference and plurality. A world that does not use difference and plurality to hide inequality but to overcome it.
7. Some of the poorest Xhosa-speaking people of our city united with coloured, Indian and white people, old and young, rich and poor combined to end the violence, protect the vulnerable, feed the hungry and hold power accountable. Hindu, Jew, Muslim, Christian and atheist united with people from all over the world: interns, permanent residents, refugees and migrants to work together.
8. We spent millions of rands, we raised invaluable food, clothing, blankets, sanitary pads and other basics from the public. We distributed, fought, cried and argued. But we got the work done. This gathering acknowledges the work of the doctors who shut their practices, the volunteers who still dream Soetwater, Youngsfield, Harmony Park, Blue Waters and other places that have become part of our collective memory. This gathering says thank you to all and to the good government workers. It recognizes that not a single politician deserves the adjective “decent” in the way that these ordinary people, global citizens deserve to be described as decent people.
9. To the displaced people we say: Your pain will never be fully understood or lived by us in the same way. But it is our pain too. Your loss which must be compensated can never be compensated by money or any of our efforts. But we have also lost our dignity and struggle daily to retrieve the broken pieces.
10. We can no longer lead this effort alone. The worst violence is over. The state must fulfill its duties and you must lead us now. We must commit to build a South Africa built on social justice where every person is recognised as a human being entitled to life, dignity, safety, food, water, health, housing, education and freedom. A country where every person is a citizen irrespective of nationality or immigration status. Thanks to everyone and we must continue to work each in our own way to realize this need and duty.
Zackie Achmat on behalf of the Treatment Action Campaign
03 October 2008
INDELIBLE MEMORY: XENOPHOBIC TERROR AND DECENT CITIZENS
Thank you. This is a written speech because I do not want to cry or get one word wrong. No names will be mentioned because there are too many. So let me start.
1. The xenophobic terror that spread across parts of our country marked the darkest time in South African history since the Mfecane when King Shaka tried to absorb or destroy people who were independent into a state of Zulu people. A state that resisted colonialism but that rested on terror. But, today our actions are worse because we know better.
2. This xenophobic terror was foreshadowed by the executive lawlessness of President Mbeki and his Cabinet who watched two million deaths and millions of HIV infections. When they maimed Parliament, the Human Rights Commission (which has attempted its best in this crisis) and other independent state institutions. An executive lawlessness that has seen the cover up of corruption from the arms deal to Travelgate, the protection of a criminal police chief and the dismissal of an independent prosecutor.
3. This has led to the political lawlessness led by the Friends of Jacob Zuma who will kill or die in his name and who will attack the judiciary and the Constitution. But, the same people who will use pangas and knives against the vulnerable refugees, immigrants, asylum-seekers, lesbians and women who wear mini-skirts found their roots in the executive lawlessness that has bred a culture of impunity in our society. Xenophobia is bred by the nation State – the policeman who arrests, beats, or seeks bribes from the asylum-seeker, the Home Affairs official who cannot spell “persecution” but denies a permit, the President who cannot give xenophobia and Afrophobia a name.
4. The xenophobic terror showed the poorest people attacking the most vulnerable because of inequality, state corruption and a struggle for resources.
5. We can never justify this terror. We can never expect forgiveness for our actions because it is all our actions when we do not look at injustice, or, do not greet the refugee or so-called “non”-national. We must say: we are ashamed, we are sorry and we are sad.
6. “But” always signals a disagreement or difficulty, a challenge, or, as some of us robustly say: the “but” identifies a problem. Today, when I say “this crisis was dark but…” - this word means a different world. A world that recognizes difference and plurality. A world that does not use difference and plurality to hide inequality but to overcome it.
7. Some of the poorest Xhosa-speaking people of our city united with coloured, Indian and white people, old and young, rich and poor combined to end the violence, protect the vulnerable, feed the hungry and hold power accountable. Hindu, Jew, Muslim, Christian and atheist united with people from all over the world: interns, permanent residents, refugees and migrants to work together.
8. We spent millions of rands, we raised invaluable food, clothing, blankets, sanitary pads and other basics from the public. We distributed, fought, cried and argued. But we got the work done. This gathering acknowledges the work of the doctors who shut their practices, the volunteers who still dream Soetwater, Youngsfield, Harmony Park, Blue Waters and other places that have become part of our collective memory. This gathering says thank you to all and to the good government workers. It recognizes that not a single politician deserves the adjective “decent” in the way that these ordinary people, global citizens deserve to be described as decent people.
9. To the displaced people we say: Your pain will never be fully understood or lived by us in the same way. But it is our pain too. Your loss which must be compensated can never be compensated by money or any of our efforts. But we have also lost our dignity and struggle daily to retrieve the broken pieces.
10. We can no longer lead this effort alone. The worst violence is over. The state must fulfill its duties and you must lead us now. We must commit to build a South Africa built on social justice where every person is recognised as a human being entitled to life, dignity, safety, food, water, health, housing, education and freedom. A country where every person is a citizen irrespective of nationality or immigration status. Thanks to everyone and we must continue to work each in our own way to realize this need and duty.
Zackie Achmat on behalf of the Treatment Action Campaign
03 October 2008
compiled by eMzantsi Ubuntu Coalition and posted here by megan
