Xenophobic attacks in Masiphumelele

Millions from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and many other African countries that are experiencing war or extreme poverty, come to South Africa seeking asylum and wanting to start a new and better life. Often time, they leave a tragic world behind only to enter a world full of jealousy and hatred rather than compassion. It was to my surprise to learn that Masiphumelele had an enormous issue with Xenophobic attacks especially because people rarely talked about it. When individuals did talk about it – they often tried to give as little information as possible and wanted to change the subject. I soon learned that the small township that we interned in made national headlines in May of 2008 after horrendous attacks against refugees took place. After the several nights of attack in Masiphumelele, a total of twenty-seven shops run by Somalis were destroyed by flame. Hadith Haji Adam, a twenty six year old spaza owner had only recently fled his unsafe country to find safe haven in South Africa. As he watched his small grocery store burn, he stated, “some people in the community like us, but other’s don’t want the competition.” He even believed that it was not gang members that initiated the attacks; rather “some local shop owners were behind the violence.” 1

The attacks seemed so out of character for the people of Masi that I had been working with daily. After the attacks, the entire township was “ashamed of itself – and its residents promised to make up for what they had done1.” Aside from seeking for forgiveness, Individuals and town members attempted to resupply and give back everything that was stolen or destroyed from the shops like the one above. Residents began to report individuals directly involved in the attack to the police and ensured their foreign neighbors that they will protect them in the future. The local Methodist Pastor, Vuyo Ngwenyana stated that the foreigners “belong here.” As the nation was watching the days after the attack, the people of Masi were applauded for their ability to come together, seek forgiveness, and change for the future. A peace march, an article is shown to the right, took place in Masi following the attacks. Ebrahim Rasool, Governor of the Western Cape claimed that the "The leadership and people of Masiphumelele have done the unthinkable. Convincing people to return the goods which were stolen is a brave move," he said. “You have shown true leadership for the rest of our province and, indeed, the entire country." 1

Looking forward, the most effective form of prevention for Xenophobic attacks is education. An organization called Harlequin Foundation has partnered with STEPS International to host a series of screenings of documentaries and short films for the awareness of xenophobia. A film made in Masi in June of 2009 called Baraka regarding the attacks in May 2008 is being shown every week in March to all of the different grades at Masiphumelele High School. The local film focuses on the life and story of a refugee from Ethiopia who had lived and worked in Masi for a short time before being killed. 2 Films and other education tools are critical to avoid situation and town uprisings like the one that occurred in May of 2008. Through educating young students about the problems that relate to xenophobia is critical, it is also important to educate adults within the community, such as other Spaza owners that are often directly impacted by the presence of refugees.