"Through political strategy, they keep us hungry. And when you gonna get some food, your brother got to be your enemy." Bob Marley and the Wailers, in their classic hit Ambush in the Night, warned that food scarcity and resource gaps could strain even the closest bonds, sometimes forcing people to edge out others to survive. This melanin rivalry is unnecessary and uncalled for.
It is, however, dismaying that some deranged South African citizens seem to be directing and projecting their misplaced anger onto the wrong and equally disadvantaged citizens of the larger state of Africa.
I have watched a number of video clips with threatening messages to Africans of non-South African descent to flee from their country before June 30. However, one thing is very clear: this is a case of a brother hating a brother without even analysing the trigger of their common problem, which is hunger and poverty.
One of the greatest contributions by other African states to South Africa during its dark days of oppression and apartheid was enormous material, financial, hosting and even moral support. The Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor to the African Union, and individual African nations mounted intense diplomatic pressure globally.
They continually lobbied the United Nations and the Commonwealth to isolate the apartheid regime, push for comprehensive international sanctions and highlight the atrocities of the system.
At the risk of international sanctions, the 'frontline states' – countries bordering or near South Africa, including Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Tanzania — bore the brunt of the struggle.
They provided forward operating bases, training camps and political headquarters for exiled liberation groups such as the African National Congress (ANC) and the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC).
The frontline states suffered immense economic hardship and direct retaliation for their backing. The apartheid government frequently launched cross-border raids, bombings and funded armed rebel groups within these nations as punishment for hosting the liberation movements.
Countries such as Nigeria played a pivotal financial role by funding the ANC, offering scholarships for exiled students and heavily financing anti-apartheid campaigns through its diplomatic power.
Many nations, some from other continents such as Cuba, contributed significant funds, weapons and logistical support. Tanzania provided safe refuge and citizenship passports for South Africans fleeing persecution with express orders from President Julius Nyerere, who notably established sanctuaries and schools for exiles
In Kenya, prominent opposition figures and politicians such as Jaramogi Oginga Odinga vocally championed the ANC cause and raised funds for the liberation struggle. President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly thanked Kenya for its historical solidarity, while acknowledging the pragmatic nuances that existed during the dark days of apartheid
South African citizens need to reflect on the causes of their problems. One of the reasons why South Africans feel marginalised is actually the impact of apartheid and colonisation, which apparently is being practised today.
Situated along the Orange River in the Karoo region, roughly halfway between Kimberley and Bloemfontein, lies Orania, a private enclave where to purchase property or reside there, an individual must be a white Afrikaner, speak Afrikaans and uphold specific Calvinist Christian values.
I think this is where the anger should be directed. If the South Africans themselves cannot access parts of their country, why do they think Kenyans, Nigerians and Ugandans are the enemy?
The second reason is the twin challenge of bad governance and leadership. Corruption in South Africa acts as a structural driver of state fragility, severely weakening public institutions, stalling economic growth and eroding public trust. Widespread bribery, nepotism and patronage networks have shifted focus from public service to elite enrichment, deepening the country's socioeconomic inequalities and service delivery failures.
If the citizens of South Africa faced these challenges head-on and moved towards fixing them, they would have no problem hosting other equally innocent and poor Africans.
Let the citizens remember that the first foundational objective of the African Union is Unity and Solidarity: Achieving greater unity and solidarity between African countries and their peoples. It is therefore wise that they coexist with other Africans.
Finally, other Africans stood with South Africa during its worst days, it's only morally right for them to let other Africans stay, live and work in South Africa.
Lucas Kimanthi Assistant director at KNCHR. He writes in his personal capacity
