Comments on: South African xenophobic attacks felt in Zimbabwe http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979 This is Zimbabwe is Sokwanele's pro-democracy activist blog. It provides grassroots news and views from Zimbabwe. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:20:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: White Man http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-271161 White Man Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:27:45 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-271161 The South African Black man and woman are struggling to survive Why must they also support a bunch of people from Zimbabwe who the average Black South African has no time for anyway<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('271161','White Man'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('271161','White Man','The South African Black man and woman are struggling to survive Why must they also support a bunch of people from Zimbabwe who the average Black South African has no time for anyway'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> The South African Black man and woman are struggling to survive Why must they also support a bunch of people from Zimbabwe who the average Black South African has no time for anyway
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]]> By: Realist http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-232734 Realist Sat, 31 May 2008 22:39:28 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-232734 @ BK Sorry to burst you bubble bro but as a person who saw the SA comrades in exile I can tell you this. They were not all in training camps behaving. Those that were in Zimbabwe (some anyway) were living it up in the late 80's spending their time keCircus night club and living in middle class neighbourhoods such as Avondale and Mabelreign in Harare or the Avenues, in some cases guarded by the Zimbabwean police. I would not put this as a reason why SA should accept immigrants but be real man. Those thugs who attacked immigrants are in the main lampants who resorted to violence because your government has messed up policies which have benefitted the small but growing black middle class and already okay white population at the exclusion of the urban poor. The sad irony is because of the ANC's political and economic hegemony these lampants have to find a scapegoat to blame for their misery other than the root cause...enter the immigrant.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('232734','Realist'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('232734','Realist','@ BK \r\n\r\nSorry to burst you bubble bro but as a person who saw the SA comrades in exile I can tell you this. They were not all in training camps behaving. Those that were in Zimbabwe (some anyway) were living it up in the late 80\'s spending their time keCircus night club and living in middle class neighbourhoods such as Avondale and Mabelreign in Harare or the Avenues, in some cases guarded by the Zimbabwean police. I would not put this as a reason why SA should accept immigrants but be real man. Those thugs who attacked immigrants are in the main lampants who resorted to violence because your government has messed up policies which have benefitted the small but growing black middle class and already okay white population at the exclusion of the urban poor. The sad irony is because of the ANC\'s political and economic hegemony these lampants have to find a scapegoat to blame for their misery other than the root cause...enter the immigrant.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> @ BK

Sorry to burst you bubble bro but as a person who saw the SA comrades in exile I can tell you this. They were not all in training camps behaving. Those that were in Zimbabwe (some anyway) were living it up in the late 80’s spending their time keCircus night club and living in middle class neighbourhoods such as Avondale and Mabelreign in Harare or the Avenues, in some cases guarded by the Zimbabwean police. I would not put this as a reason why SA should accept immigrants but be real man. Those thugs who attacked immigrants are in the main lampants who resorted to violence because your government has messed up policies which have benefitted the small but growing black middle class and already okay white population at the exclusion of the urban poor. The sad irony is because of the ANC’s political and economic hegemony these lampants have to find a scapegoat to blame for their misery other than the root cause…enter the immigrant.

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]]> By: mojo http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-232394 mojo Sat, 31 May 2008 08:04:24 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-232394 Nichtidentisches This is serious stuff. We want to understand what you are saying, so please be considerate and give us your meaningful viewof things.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('232394','mojo'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('232394','mojo','Nichtidentisches \r\nThis is serious stuff. We want to understand what you are saying, so please be considerate and give us your meaningful viewof things.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> Nichtidentisches
This is serious stuff. We want to understand what you are saying, so please be considerate and give us your meaningful viewof things.
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]]> By: phillie http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-232047 phillie Fri, 30 May 2008 20:38:55 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-232047 Why is it that we lose the plot so easily when Race Creed Religion and of course the ever present apartheid comes under discussion. Just for one minute leave all those high minded philosophies behind and concentrate on the crux of the problem The inability of the South African Politician to do their jobs properly. If Mbeki had not arse creeped RM with is silent diplomacy (what a nice word for doing nothing) and in taking action against a despot AND deliverde on his promises to help the poor instead of allowing his cronies to stuff their pockets as well as their faces on the ongoing parties given to the fet cat gravy train riders. The economic crisis in Zim would not have forced the people to seek a better life illegally in SA. If Charles (the man) Ngakula had not belittled the start of the xenophobic purge as an isolated incident the bloodshed could have been curtailed But NO we are to clever for our shoes and to proud to admit that we cannot really do the job, and if and when the shit hits the fan we either go into a huddle and plan a meeting to appoint a committee that will come up with a 5 year plan to suppress the problem Man Oh Man do we have a problem Houston!<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('232047','phillie'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('232047','phillie','Why is it that we lose the plot so easily when Race Creed Religion and of course the ever present apartheid comes under discussion. Just for one minute leave all those high minded philosophies behind and concentrate on the crux of the problem \r\nThe inability of the South African Politician to do their jobs properly. If Mbeki had not arse creeped RM with is silent diplomacy (what a nice word for doing nothing) and in taking action against a despot AND deliverde on his promises to help the poor instead of allowing his cronies to stuff their pockets as well as their faces on the ongoing parties given to the fet cat gravy train riders. The economic crisis in Zim would not have forced the people to seek a better life illegally in SA.\r\n If Charles (the man) Ngakula had not belittled the start of the xenophobic purge as an isolated incident the bloodshed could have been curtailed But NO we are to clever for our shoes and to proud to admit that we cannot really do the job, and if and when the shit hits the fan we either go into a huddle and plan a meeting to appoint a committee that will come up with a 5 year plan to suppress the problem Man Oh Man do we have a problem Houston!'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> Why is it that we lose the plot so easily when Race Creed Religion and of course the ever present apartheid comes under discussion. Just for one minute leave all those high minded philosophies behind and concentrate on the crux of the problem
The inability of the South African Politician to do their jobs properly. If Mbeki had not arse creeped RM with is silent diplomacy (what a nice word for doing nothing) and in taking action against a despot AND deliverde on his promises to help the poor instead of allowing his cronies to stuff their pockets as well as their faces on the ongoing parties given to the fet cat gravy train riders. The economic crisis in Zim would not have forced the people to seek a better life illegally in SA.
If Charles (the man) Ngakula had not belittled the start of the xenophobic purge as an isolated incident the bloodshed could have been curtailed But NO we are to clever for our shoes and to proud to admit that we cannot really do the job, and if and when the shit hits the fan we either go into a huddle and plan a meeting to appoint a committee that will come up with a 5 year plan to suppress the problem Man Oh Man do we have a problem Houston!
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]]> By: Zola Maphila http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-231762 Zola Maphila Fri, 30 May 2008 05:55:13 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-231762 I am disgusted by how black South Africans have treated our African brothers and sisters. It's sad that Black South Africans coming from a past of racism and discrimination could turn and do the same thing to our people. South Africans who allow this violence to occur should do alot of soul-searching. I feel that South Africans who participate in the violence arespitting the graves of all people who fought for democracy in the country.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('231762','Zola Maphila'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('231762','Zola Maphila','I am disgusted by how black South Africans have treated our African brothers and sisters. It\'s sad that Black South Africans coming from a past of racism and discrimination could turn and do the same thing to our people. South Africans who allow this violence to occur should do alot of soul-searching. I feel that South Africans who participate in the violence arespitting the graves of all people who fought for democracy in the country.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> I am disgusted by how black South Africans have treated our African brothers and sisters. It’s sad that Black South Africans coming from a past of racism and discrimination could turn and do the same thing to our people. South Africans who allow this violence to occur should do alot of soul-searching. I feel that South Africans who participate in the violence arespitting the graves of all people who fought for democracy in the country.
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]]> By: BK http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-230667 BK Wed, 28 May 2008 10:30:48 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-230667 I just want to say that is in no way justifiable for anyone to kill another human being for whatever reason. I speak as a South African who sometimes gets frustrated at the way things are. Ever since access into the coutry has been so easy, a lot of things have gone down the drain. Take Govan Mbeki street in PE, before it was easy to walk down the road and it was clean. Now all you get are stands and people selling fake clothing, its like mini Lagos up in there. We are already struggling to support our poor people, how can we support people from outside our boarders. SA is not the kand of milk and hunny, a large percentage of our population is poor. Our resources are being streched to the maximum. I just think we have to have stricter immigration laws and tighter security at our borders. Its is very evident that this "Saviour of Africa" mentality that our government has is not within our means. We also have families to support, we are also struggling to survive, but guess what I don't plan to go anywhere else but I plan to stick it out and make a contribution to the SA economy. One last thing, there is a point that everyone raises everytime and that is of the South Africans that were in exile. There is a difference in the way the exiled South Africans lived and what is going on here. SA people were in training camps, training to go fight for their freedom. The way South Africans lived there is very different from how foreigner are living here. I could go on forever bt I won't. I'm just looking at things from the average South African's perspective. Those who are able to go home should do so that will put a liitle relief to an already strained South Africa.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('230667','BK'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('230667','BK','I just want to say that is in no way justifiable for anyone to kill another human being for whatever reason. I speak as a South African who sometimes gets frustrated at the way things are. Ever since access into the coutry has been so easy, a lot of things have gone down the drain. \r\n\r\nTake Govan Mbeki street in PE, before it was easy to walk down the road and it was clean. Now all you get are stands and people selling fake clothing, its like mini Lagos up in there. We are already struggling to support our poor people, how can we support people from outside our boarders. SA is not the kand of milk and hunny, a large percentage of our population is poor. Our resources are being streched to the maximum. I just think we have to have stricter immigration laws and tighter security at our borders. Its is very evident that this \"Saviour of Africa\" mentality that our government has is not within our means.\r\n\r\nWe also have families to support, we are also struggling to survive, but guess what I don\'t plan to go anywhere else but I plan to stick it out and make a contribution to the SA economy. \r\n\r\nOne last thing, there is a point that everyone raises everytime and that is of the South Africans that were in exile. There is a difference in the way the exiled South Africans lived and what is going on here. SA people were in training camps, training to go fight for their freedom. The way South Africans lived there is very different from how foreigner are living here. I could go on forever bt I won\'t.\r\n\r\nI\'m just looking at things from the average South African\'s perspective. Those who are able to go home should do so that will put a liitle relief to an already strained South Africa.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> I just want to say that is in no way justifiable for anyone to kill another human being for whatever reason. I speak as a South African who sometimes gets frustrated at the way things are. Ever since access into the coutry has been so easy, a lot of things have gone down the drain.

Take Govan Mbeki street in PE, before it was easy to walk down the road and it was clean. Now all you get are stands and people selling fake clothing, its like mini Lagos up in there. We are already struggling to support our poor people, how can we support people from outside our boarders. SA is not the kand of milk and hunny, a large percentage of our population is poor. Our resources are being streched to the maximum. I just think we have to have stricter immigration laws and tighter security at our borders. Its is very evident that this “Saviour of Africa” mentality that our government has is not within our means.

We also have families to support, we are also struggling to survive, but guess what I don’t plan to go anywhere else but I plan to stick it out and make a contribution to the SA economy.

One last thing, there is a point that everyone raises everytime and that is of the South Africans that were in exile. There is a difference in the way the exiled South Africans lived and what is going on here. SA people were in training camps, training to go fight for their freedom. The way South Africans lived there is very different from how foreigner are living here. I could go on forever bt I won’t.

I’m just looking at things from the average South African’s perspective. Those who are able to go home should do so that will put a liitle relief to an already strained South Africa.

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]]> By: Nichtidentisches http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-229636 Nichtidentisches Mon, 26 May 2008 11:09:04 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-229636 Sorry, I'm myself having difficulties translating my German to English, so some expressions might be old-fashioned or misfit. What I wanted to say is: This did not happen by accident nor is it surprising. Such violence has a long tradition in South Africa - about 5000 Persons were killed as witches just during the 1990s. Hundreds of persons fled to police stations. The social anthropologists Jean and John Comaroff wrote about accusations against immigrants and foreign workers: They were kept for zombies or witches and therefore hunted by students, unemployed, normal South-Africans. The ANC-Ideology is: Apartheid was responsible for everything, all we Africans have to do is to govern ourselves. But the contradictions and conflicts within African societies - homophobia, racism, sexism, tribalism, witch-hunts - remained undiscussed. So I'm very glad about the ability to read this excellent Blog, that does a very good job.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('229636','Nichtidentisches'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('229636','Nichtidentisches','Sorry, I\'m myself having difficulties translating my German to English, so some expressions might be old-fashioned or misfit. \r\nWhat I wanted to say is: \r\nThis did not happen by accident nor is it surprising. Such violence has a long tradition in South Africa - about 5000 Persons were killed as witches just during the 1990s. Hundreds of persons fled to police stations. The social anthropologists Jean and John Comaroff wrote about accusations against immigrants and foreign workers: They were kept for zombies or witches and therefore hunted by students, unemployed, normal South-Africans. \r\nThe ANC-Ideology is: Apartheid was responsible for everything, all we Africans have to do is to govern ourselves. But the contradictions and conflicts within African societies - homophobia, racism, sexism, tribalism, witch-hunts - remained undiscussed. So I\'m very glad about the ability to read this excellent Blog, that does a very good job.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> Sorry, I’m myself having difficulties translating my German to English, so some expressions might be old-fashioned or misfit.
What I wanted to say is:
This did not happen by accident nor is it surprising. Such violence has a long tradition in South Africa - about 5000 Persons were killed as witches just during the 1990s. Hundreds of persons fled to police stations. The social anthropologists Jean and John Comaroff wrote about accusations against immigrants and foreign workers: They were kept for zombies or witches and therefore hunted by students, unemployed, normal South-Africans.
The ANC-Ideology is: Apartheid was responsible for everything, all we Africans have to do is to govern ourselves. But the contradictions and conflicts within African societies - homophobia, racism, sexism, tribalism, witch-hunts - remained undiscussed. So I’m very glad about the ability to read this excellent Blog, that does a very good job.
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]]> By: Fish Eagle http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-229126 Fish Eagle Sun, 25 May 2008 14:44:49 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-229126 @Nichtidentisches Sorry for the rant Nichtidentisches, but I am a simple person who would like to share your knowledge but if you dress it up in High blown expressions and Psychological terms it loses it's impact Ndatenda chaisvo/Siyabonga kakhulu<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('229126','Fish Eagle'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('229126','Fish Eagle','@Nichtidentisches\r\n\r\nSorry for the rant Nichtidentisches, but I am a simple person who would like to share your knowledge but if you dress it up in High blown expressions and Psychological terms it loses it\'s impact\r\n\r\nNdatenda chaisvo\/Siyabonga kakhulu'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> @Nichtidentisches

Sorry for the rant Nichtidentisches, but I am a simple person who would like to share your knowledge but if you dress it up in High blown expressions and Psychological terms it loses it’s impact

Ndatenda chaisvo/Siyabonga kakhulu

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]]> By: Fish Eagle http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-229116 Fish Eagle Sun, 25 May 2008 13:52:51 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-229116 @Nichtidentisches Plain English/Shona/Sindebele...PLEASE. !!!!!<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('229116','Fish Eagle'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('229116','Fish Eagle','@Nichtidentisches\r\n\r\nPlain English\/Shona\/Sindebele...PLEASE. !!!!!'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> @Nichtidentisches

Plain English/Shona/Sindebele…PLEASE. !!!!!

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]]> By: Nichtidentisches http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-229069 Nichtidentisches Sun, 25 May 2008 11:42:52 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-229069 It's not so surprising: witchhunts were burning across S.A. since the 80-s and earlier. The demeanor of burning people under the most ridiculous aspersions was trained and culturally based within a common ideology. So while Zombie-trains were worrying the minds of modern african Elites and African culture became a value in itself that should like an ointment take care for the violated self-esteem of disturbed societies, it was just a matter of time, that xenophobia arose, as it did years ago, sometimes merged with witchcraft-accusations, but now without (?). Enlightenment and violence are up so far dialectical, but not intrinsic necessary parts, so the only remedy against such violence is a permanent enlighening critic of the very culture, that feeds it.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('229069','Nichtidentisches'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('229069','Nichtidentisches','It\'s not so surprising: witchhunts were burning across S.A. since the 80-s and earlier. The demeanor of burning people under the most ridiculous aspersions was trained and culturally based within a common ideology. So while Zombie-trains were worrying the minds of modern african Elites and African culture became a value in itself that should like an ointment take care for the violated self-esteem of disturbed societies, it was just a matter of time, that xenophobia arose, as it did years ago, sometimes merged with witchcraft-accusations, but now without (?). \r\nEnlightenment and violence are up so far dialectical, but not intrinsic necessary parts, so the only remedy against such violence is a permanent enlighening critic of the very culture, that feeds it.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> It’s not so surprising: witchhunts were burning across S.A. since the 80-s and earlier. The demeanor of burning people under the most ridiculous aspersions was trained and culturally based within a common ideology. So while Zombie-trains were worrying the minds of modern african Elites and African culture became a value in itself that should like an ointment take care for the violated self-esteem of disturbed societies, it was just a matter of time, that xenophobia arose, as it did years ago, sometimes merged with witchcraft-accusations, but now without (?).
Enlightenment and violence are up so far dialectical, but not intrinsic necessary parts, so the only remedy against such violence is a permanent enlighening critic of the very culture, that feeds it.
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]]> By: Deejay http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-229023 Deejay Sun, 25 May 2008 08:41:46 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-229023 Hi Nana Thank you for publishing my poem on your blog. The message has to reach all Black people in Africa and other countries. From the Author of "Xenophobic Cry" (Poem name) Deejay http://splakaveli.blogspot.com/<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('229023','Deejay'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('229023','Deejay','Hi Nana\r\n\r\nThank you for publishing my poem on your blog.\r\n\r\nThe message has to reach all Black people in Africa and other countries.\r\n\r\nFrom the Author of \"Xenophobic Cry\" (Poem name)\r\nDeejay\r\n\r\nhttp:\/\/splakaveli.blogspot.com\/'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> Hi Nana

Thank you for publishing my poem on your blog.

The message has to reach all Black people in Africa and other countries.

From the Author of “Xenophobic Cry” (Poem name)
Deejay

http://splakaveli.blogspot.com/

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]]> By: Nana http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-228116 Nana Fri, 23 May 2008 11:17:45 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-228116 Hi Sokwanele I just received this poem eloquently written by a poet who calls him or herself Black African. I might not be a South African But I'm black; my skin is the same as yours My colour is the same as yours My genes are African, nothing but African When your leaders were beaten by whites I was there to shelter them I was patient with them I offered them food, shelter, Most of all, I offered them protection I might not be South African I can't speak Zulu, cause I'm Vhenda I can't speak Zulu, cause I'm Shangaan I don't know what an elbow is in Zulu As much as you don't know it in my language Since when was Zulu the only South African language? Yes...............I'm not from Gauteng I was not born here, but I'm South African Where should I go if you beat me I'm not beating your father, mother, brother or sister who works at my area in the mines I'm not calling them makwerekwere though they can't speak my language. I might be dark in complexion I might have the foreigner's looks I might have the foreigner's body structure Now I am scared to go to the only place that I call home I'm scared of working down the street without my ID Whites wanted me to do that century ago Now you, my black brother is acting white Why should you Black South Africans do this? What makes you think that you better than me? Who told you that I'm responsible for your unemployment? Who told you that I'm less human? If I need to go back to Vhenda........let all the Zulus go back to KZN Let all the Tswana's go back to Botswana Let all the Sotho's go back to Lesotho Let all the Ndebele's go back to Kwandebele Let all the Xhosa's go back to Eastern Cape Yes............let all the Swati's go back to Swaziland Is this not ignorance? Your unemployment is your responsibility Use your intellect Get up and work Let education empower you Seek humanity Before 1994 you blamed whites Now you are blaming me Who are you going to blame after chasing me away? Who are you going to blame after killing me? m For what it's worth....................... I'm sorry I was not born here I'm sorry I can't speak Zulu I'm sorry for being too dark for your Joburg I'm sorry for cleaning the toilets you don't want to clean I'm sorry for doing your garden I'm sorry for repairing your shoes I'm sorry for protecting your leaders while they were in Exile Yes.....................what you call Exile...........is my country And most of all.......I'm sorry for building South African infrastructure Please my brothers let there be peace and prosperity amongst black African people. Written by a Black African ......................<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('228116','Nana'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('228116','Nana','Hi Sokwanele\r\n\r\nI just received this poem eloquently written by a poet who calls him or herself Black African.\r\n\r\nI might not be a South African\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBut I\'m black; my skin is the same as yours\r\n\r\nMy colour is the same as yours\r\n\r\nMy genes are African, nothing but African\r\n\r\nWhen your leaders were beaten by whites\r\n\r\nI was there to shelter them\r\n\r\nI was patient with them\r\n\r\nI offered them food, shelter, \r\n\r\nMost of all, I offered them protection\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nI might not be South African\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nI can\'t speak Zulu, cause I\'m Vhenda\r\n\r\nI can\'t speak Zulu, cause I\'m Shangaan\r\n\r\nI don\'t know what an elbow is in Zulu\r\n\r\nAs much as you don\'t know it in my language\r\n\r\nSince when was Zulu the only South African language?\r\n\r\nYes...............I\'m not from Gauteng\r\n\r\nI was not born here, but I\'m South African\r\n\r\nWhere should I go if you beat me\r\n\r\nI\'m not beating your father, mother, brother or sister who works at my area in the mines\r\n\r\nI\'m not calling them makwerekwere though they can\'t speak my language.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nI might be dark in complexion\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nI might have the foreigner\'s looks\r\n\r\nI might have the foreigner\'s body structure\r\n\r\nNow I am scared to go to the only place that I call home\r\n\r\nI\'m scared of working down the street without my ID\r\n\r\nWhites wanted me to do that century ago\r\n\r\nNow you, my black brother is acting white\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWhy should you Black South Africans do this?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWhat makes you think that you better than me?\r\n\r\nWho told you that I\'m responsible for your unemployment?\r\n\r\nWho told you that I\'m less human?\r\n\r\nIf I need to go back to Vhenda........let all the Zulus go back to KZN\r\n\r\nLet all the Tswana\'s go back to Botswana\r\n\r\nLet all the Sotho\'s go back to Lesotho\r\n\r\nLet all the Ndebele\'s go back to Kwandebele\r\n\r\nLet all the Xhosa\'s go back to Eastern Cape\r\n\r\nYes............let all the Swati\'s go back to Swaziland\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIs this not ignorance?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nYour unemployment is your responsibility\r\n\r\nUse your intellect\r\n\r\nGet up and work\r\n\r\nLet education empower you\r\n\r\nSeek humanity\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBefore 1994 you blamed whites\r\n\r\nNow you are blaming me\r\n\r\nWho are you going to blame after chasing me away?\r\n\r\nWho are you going to blame after killing me? m \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFor what it\'s worth.......................\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nI\'m sorry I was not born here\r\n\r\nI\'m sorry I can\'t speak Zulu\r\n\r\nI\'m sorry for being too dark for your Joburg\r\n\r\nI\'m sorry for cleaning the toilets you don\'t want to clean\r\n\r\nI\'m sorry for doing your garden\r\n\r\nI\'m sorry for repairing your shoes\r\n\r\nI\'m sorry for protecting your leaders while they were in Exile\r\n\r\nYes.....................what you call Exile...........is my country\r\n\r\nAnd most of all.......I\'m sorry for building South African infrastructure\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nPlease my brothers let there be peace and prosperity amongst black African people.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWritten by a Black African ......................'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> Hi Sokwanele

I just received this poem eloquently written by a poet who calls him or herself Black African.

I might not be a South African

But I’m black; my skin is the same as yours

My colour is the same as yours

My genes are African, nothing but African

When your leaders were beaten by whites

I was there to shelter them

I was patient with them

I offered them food, shelter,

Most of all, I offered them protection

I might not be South African

I can’t speak Zulu, cause I’m Vhenda

I can’t speak Zulu, cause I’m Shangaan

I don’t know what an elbow is in Zulu

As much as you don’t know it in my language

Since when was Zulu the only South African language?

Yes……………I’m not from Gauteng

I was not born here, but I’m South African

Where should I go if you beat me

I’m not beating your father, mother, brother or sister who works at my area in the mines

I’m not calling them makwerekwere though they can’t speak my language.

I might be dark in complexion

I might have the foreigner’s looks

I might have the foreigner’s body structure

Now I am scared to go to the only place that I call home

I’m scared of working down the street without my ID

Whites wanted me to do that century ago

Now you, my black brother is acting white

Why should you Black South Africans do this?

What makes you think that you better than me?

Who told you that I’m responsible for your unemployment?

Who told you that I’m less human?

If I need to go back to Vhenda……..let all the Zulus go back to KZN

Let all the Tswana’s go back to Botswana

Let all the Sotho’s go back to Lesotho

Let all the Ndebele’s go back to Kwandebele

Let all the Xhosa’s go back to Eastern Cape

Yes…………let all the Swati’s go back to Swaziland

Is this not ignorance?

Your unemployment is your responsibility

Use your intellect

Get up and work

Let education empower you

Seek humanity

Before 1994 you blamed whites

Now you are blaming me

Who are you going to blame after chasing me away?

Who are you going to blame after killing me? m

For what it’s worth…………………..

I’m sorry I was not born here

I’m sorry I can’t speak Zulu

I’m sorry for being too dark for your Joburg

I’m sorry for cleaning the toilets you don’t want to clean

I’m sorry for doing your garden

I’m sorry for repairing your shoes

I’m sorry for protecting your leaders while they were in Exile

Yes…………………what you call Exile………..is my country

And most of all…….I’m sorry for building South African infrastructure

Please my brothers let there be peace and prosperity amongst black African people.

Written by a Black African ………………….

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]]> By: mojo http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-228089 mojo Fri, 23 May 2008 09:32:16 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-228089 My my, how soon we forget.I am a zimbabwean and during the apartheid era I remember zimbabwe being home to our south african brothers.I lived in Avondale close to more than a few south african political refugees. Talk of the brotherhood of africans. You really think all these people enjoy leaving their homes to live like destitutes. God has mercy on us all.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('228089','mojo'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('228089','mojo','My my, how soon we forget.I am a zimbabwean and during the apartheid era I remember zimbabwe being home to our south african brothers.I lived in Avondale close to more than a few south african political refugees.\r\nTalk of the brotherhood of africans. You really think all these people enjoy leaving their homes to live like destitutes. God has mercy on us all.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> My my, how soon we forget.I am a zimbabwean and during the apartheid era I remember zimbabwe being home to our south african brothers.I lived in Avondale close to more than a few south african political refugees.
Talk of the brotherhood of africans. You really think all these people enjoy leaving their homes to live like destitutes. God has mercy on us all.
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]]> By: Limpopo African http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-227539 Limpopo African Thu, 22 May 2008 09:09:01 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-227539 I am ashamed of my fellow South Africans and their intolerance: It's called xenophobia, but it's just another form of racism, surely? The skin colour might be the same, but it's an intolerance of someone of a different creed. Wake up, South Africa! We need to pull ourselves together .... This could be paradise in Africa. Start taking responsibility for your own lives.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('227539','Limpopo African'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('227539','Limpopo African','I am ashamed of my fellow South Africans and their intolerance: It\'s called xenophobia, but it\'s just another form of racism, surely? The skin colour might be the same, but it\'s an intolerance of someone of a different creed.\r\n\r\nWake up, South Africa! We need to pull ourselves together .... This could be paradise in Africa. Start taking responsibility for your own lives.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> I am ashamed of my fellow South Africans and their intolerance: It’s called xenophobia, but it’s just another form of racism, surely? The skin colour might be the same, but it’s an intolerance of someone of a different creed.

Wake up, South Africa! We need to pull ourselves together …. This could be paradise in Africa. Start taking responsibility for your own lives.

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]]> By: mama http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-227483 mama Thu, 22 May 2008 06:45:19 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-227483 See it works check this out http://www.sabcnews.com/sport/soccer/0,2172,169999,00.html<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('227483','mama'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('227483','mama','See it works check this out\r\n\r\nhttp:\/\/www.sabcnews.com\/sport\/soccer\/0,2172,169999,00.html'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> See it works check this out

http://www.sabcnews.com/sport/soccer/0,2172,169999,00.html

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]]> By: Zimbo http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-227015 Zimbo Wed, 21 May 2008 14:01:21 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-227015 @mama Great idea. I shall write my letters to the sponsors and ask everyone I know to do so as well.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('227015','Zimbo'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('227015','Zimbo','@mama \r\n\r\nGreat idea. I shall write my letters to the sponsors and ask everyone I know to do so as well.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> @mama

Great idea. I shall write my letters to the sponsors and ask everyone I know to do so as well.

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]]> By: exbulawayo http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-227004 exbulawayo Wed, 21 May 2008 13:20:57 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-227004 Well, may I say after watching two TV programs on the violence here, I am so ashamed to live in S.A.and am actually stuck for words. This situation was a long time coming, and our Mr Mbeki knew all of that. He chose to let Bob rule the dictator way, until his people had no other choice but to flee to S.A. He also has not delivered basic services to his own people who voted for him.The picture is so clear now, what a disgrace to say this is no crisis, and Zim has no crisis either. He must also go as this festered sore aint going to go away on its own. I wonder what Mr Mandela is thinking about all of this, as he set an example for all of us to build on, and sadly it has gone totally the opposite way.My thoughts are with you all living here,may you come to no more harm and safely find your way back to your families again soon.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('227004','exbulawayo'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('227004','exbulawayo','Well, may I say after watching two TV programs on the violence here, I am so ashamed to live in S.A.and am actually stuck for words. This situation was a long time coming, and our Mr Mbeki knew all of that. He chose to let Bob rule the dictator way, until his people had no other choice but to flee to S.A. He also has not delivered basic services to his own people who voted for him.The picture is so clear now, what a disgrace to say this is no crisis, and Zim has no crisis either. He must also go as this festered sore aint going to go away on its own. I wonder what Mr Mandela is thinking about all of this, as he set an example for all of us to build on, and sadly it has gone totally the opposite way.My thoughts are with you all living here,may you come to no more harm and safely find your way back to your families again soon.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> Well, may I say after watching two TV programs on the violence here, I am so ashamed to live in S.A.and am actually stuck for words. This situation was a long time coming, and our Mr Mbeki knew all of that. He chose to let Bob rule the dictator way, until his people had no other choice but to flee to S.A. He also has not delivered basic services to his own people who voted for him.The picture is so clear now, what a disgrace to say this is no crisis, and Zim has no crisis either. He must also go as this festered sore aint going to go away on its own. I wonder what Mr Mandela is thinking about all of this, as he set an example for all of us to build on, and sadly it has gone totally the opposite way.My thoughts are with you all living here,may you come to no more harm and safely find your way back to your families again soon.
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]]> By: Jocelyn Chappell http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-226955 Jocelyn Chappell Wed, 21 May 2008 11:14:23 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-226955 repost with correction @ mama, Going for the sponsors is a really good idea. I have written a letter already for the FIFA President (http://aylesburylife.org/blogs/3/2008/05/17/time-fifa-to-say-no-to-mugabembeki). I will gladly adapt the letter and look up names and addresses for the sponsors that you have helpfully identified. Next week is half-term (I teach) in this part of England. I can see there will be one or two more letters taking a trip to the post office.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('226955','Jocelyn Chappell'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('226955','Jocelyn Chappell','repost with correction\r\n\r\n@ mama,\r\n\r\nGoing for the sponsors is a really good idea. I have written a letter already for the FIFA President (http:\/\/aylesburylife.org\/blogs\/3\/2008\/05\/17\/time-fifa-to-say-no-to-mugabembeki).\r\n\r\nI will gladly adapt the letter and look up names and addresses for the sponsors that you have helpfully identified.\r\n\r\nNext week is half-term (I teach) in this part of England. I can see there will be one or two more letters taking a trip to the post office.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> repost with correction

@ mama,

Going for the sponsors is a really good idea. I have written a letter already for the FIFA President (http://aylesburylife.org/blogs/3/2008/05/17/time-fifa-to-say-no-to-mugabembeki).

I will gladly adapt the letter and look up names and addresses for the sponsors that you have helpfully identified.

Next week is half-term (I teach) in this part of England. I can see there will be one or two more letters taking a trip to the post office.

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]]> By: Cloud http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-226946 Cloud Wed, 21 May 2008 10:53:51 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-226946 Nothing will be done about this, it will just be ignored like everything else that happens in this country. Same old till South Africa is in the same state as Zim and other african states. Game Over !!!!<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('226946','Cloud'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('226946','Cloud','Nothing will be done about this, it will just be ignored like everything else that happens in this country.\r\n\r\nSame old till South Africa is in the same state as Zim and other african states.\r\n\r\nGame Over !!!!'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> Nothing will be done about this, it will just be ignored like everything else that happens in this country.

Same old till South Africa is in the same state as Zim and other african states.

Game Over !!!!

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]]> By: mama http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/979#comment-226925 mama Wed, 21 May 2008 10:09:42 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=979#comment-226925 @ Ricardo What you are struggling with is what is known as being a Third Culture Kid and we are many and we have had to learn tolerance of all culture and language and back ground shows us that underneath all the difference there are more things in common....I would like to suggest to you to look one day at the Third Culture Kids website if you feel you are alone for you are not alone and I think that because there are now more of us that are born from intermingled societies and background we understand the true meaning of the value of Human Life....we are more tolerant...and you are right violence is unacceptable....<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('226925','mama'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('226925','mama','@ Ricardo What you are struggling with is what is known as being a Third Culture Kid and we are many and we have had to learn tolerance of all culture and language and back ground shows us that underneath all the difference there are more things in common....I would like to suggest to you to look one day at the Third Culture Kids website if you feel you are alone for you are not alone and I think that because there are now more of us that are born from intermingled societies and background we understand the true meaning of the value of Human Life....we are more tolerant...and you are right violence is unacceptable....'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> @ Ricardo What you are struggling with is what is known as being a Third Culture Kid and we are many and we have had to learn tolerance of all culture and language and back ground shows us that underneath all the difference there are more things in common….I would like to suggest to you to look one day at the Third Culture Kids website if you feel you are alone for you are not alone and I think that because there are now more of us that are born from intermingled societies and background we understand the true meaning of the value of Human Life….we are more tolerant…and you are right violence is unacceptable….
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