By Sandra Ijeoma Okoye
There is no denying the fact that South African youths and some elders that may in this context be considered to be accomplices have for the umpteenth time been seen to have marched along the streets with banners and placards demanding that Nigerians, Zimbabweans, and other foreigners of African origin leave their country. The protesters were at each time in their xenophobic display cried out that foreigners are taking away their jobs and committing crimes such as doing drugs and trafficking; the same narratives they often use to attack foreigners and their properties.
Without any iota of exaggeration,
there have over the years been growing tension among Nigerians living in South
Africa as they are needlessly attacked by riotous South African youths at any
point in time. Surprisingly, on the trail of every attack, they would be calmed
by high ranking diplomatic officials, such as the South African High
Commissioner, and in the same vein urged to dismiss such fears, and assured
that the issues will be addressed. But never! The deadly scenario has continued
to play out like a vicious cycle.
At this juncture, it is expedient to
ask, “How long will the vicious cycle of fears and denials continue to haunt
Nigerians seeking the proverbial greener pasture in South Africa?
Permit me to disclose in this context that I was on the night of June 12, Saturday, 2022, through a telephone call from South Africa woken up by a friend. In our tele-conversation, he said, South African authorities on Saturday (the same day he phoned) locked up all Nigerian Shops in Yeoville Market.
