I have a new happy place in Bafokeng—my youth clubs. I love the kids!!! In particular, the group
in this picture crack me up and warm my heart every time we meet. They are a very talented, smart, and outspoken
group. Today we were discussing
discrimination, equality, and human rights.
One of the more interesting comments they shared was in reference to
xenophobia.
Xenophobia is a huge problem here in SA. There is a large amount of foreigners from
across Africa living in South Africa.
South Africa is the “America” of Africa, so people from across the
continent come here as refugees or in search of economic opportunities. To my understanding, they are ostracized and
treated like 2nd class citizens.
A couple of years ago, there was even a problem with violence against
foreigners (this partly stemmed from foreigners cheating the system and
receiving free reparations housing that was intended for Black South Africans).
The mining area I live in attracts a lot folks from
Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Botswana. In
local town hall meetings I have heard people express their discontentment in, “all
of the foreigners coming here and taking their jobs” (sound familiar to
anyone).
Check it out this Nando’s commercial, that was actually pulled
off the air, which addresses xenophobia.
Anywho, now that you have some background…one student shared
that she feels xenophobia exists because Blacks are seeking revenge. She feels that Black people feel that they
suffered during apartheid. Now it is
their turn to “live well.” They don’t
want anyone else coming and taking that opportunity away from them. And they are also taking their vengeance
against the Boers (Afrikaans) out against the foreigners. Interesting. Funny how oppressed people always oppress
other people. The Boers actually
followed this trend as well. They were
mistreated by the British, and even put into camps, and when they came into
power they treated Black people in the same fashion.
While we are talking about it, I also didn’t realize that
there is also discrimination, well at least in my community, against Black
South Africans that aren’t Mafikeng (the local tribal classification) or Tswana
(the language and larger tribal/ethnic group).
So if you are Zulu or Xhosa you are also treated as an outsider and
ostracized. And we won’t even start
talking about the racial discrimination and prejudice.
So I am learning a lot about South African culture from my
kids. They have also made me realize how
much healing South Africa still has to do.
But don’t we all. Hopefully, some
of these kids will help lead the healing process.
Gotta love the kids!!!
--Mei
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