ISS: SA nation building project has failed

“I think this idea that SA is a rainbow nation that is receptive to everyone has failed, but there are also myths that foreign nationals take local jobs,” he says.

 

On Wednesday police confirmed, six people have died and 74 arrested after an outbreak of xenophobic violence in Durban over the weekend, three months after attacks on foreign shop owners in Soweto.

 

Tamukamoyo says myths suggest that foreigners, who are seen as criminals, come to South Africa to take jobs meant for locals.

 

“Research shows that most people employed in the formal sector in South Africa are in fact South Africans, the issue is that most foreigners are willing to take jobs in informal sectors that are insecure and have no benefits which South African’s will not accept,” he says.

 

On Tuesday a campaign made the rounds on social media “NO2XENOPHOBIA, I am African before I am South African”.

 

Many South Africans including celebrities are airing their dissatisfaction with the current attacks that are rapidly spreading to other areas.

 

Tamukamoyo says there is a criminal element to the xenophobic attacks where certain individuals take advantage of the situation.

 

He adds that South Africa needs to learn from history. “Countries that have progressive and inclusive immigration policies have performed better economically”...

 

(Edited by: Sune' Du Toit)

(File photo: Gallo images)