WINDHOEK – Students at three tertiary institutions in Namibia have condemned in the strongest terms the xenophobic attacks currently ongoing in South Africa.
New Era on Friday spoke to students who feel that frustrated South Africans should not take matters into their own hands but rather allow the government to deal with their problems.
“Black on black crime isn’t only in America, but in Africa as well. We are killing our fellow African people for silly and absurd reasons. Nelson Mandela and other political leaders have worked hard in putting some sense into us Africans but we are slowly letting them down through this. The UN should step in or else it’s going to be ugly,” said Boshoff Masule, a fourth year University of Namibia (Unam) student.
Another Unam student, Grace Avehe Martyharz, commented that there are many South Africans scattered throughout the SADC countries “and we don’t go ahead and kill them”.
A third year media studies student at Unam who chose to remain anonymous said: “It [xenophobic attacks) is not a good thing at all. The South African government must address this issue because if this keeps happening South Africa won’t get support from other countries to improve in areas they lack experience.”
Agnes Iikuyu, a third year Unam student, said black people should not mistreat their counterparts. “We are all Africans, we should care for one another and treat one another with respect. Zuma should stand up and order his fellows to stop all this otherwise there will be war amongst African countries,” Iikuyu remarked.
Kachinga Shezongo, a third year student said: “I don’t like it at all.”
She added that other countries should demonstrate against the xenophobia in South Africa. “Otherwise all South Africans should go back to their country and other African countries should not let any South African enter their country. South Africa is a corrupted country with no political stability at all because Zuma turns a blind eye to his people’s action,” she said.
Students at the International University of Management (IUM) too expressed dismay at the xenophobic attacks. According to them, South Africans are “stupid” for attacking and killing their fellow Africans instead of just chasing them out of their country.
“This is heart-breaking news – knowing that people out there are dying like flies each and every day is nerve-wracking. In fact they are not just killed or beaten but tortured too. Therefore, if they have their own issues they must negotiate or find solutions on how to solve the issues, killing is never an option, beside it is very disturbing,” Leticia Akimbo of IUM opined.
Sylvia Haludilu said what is happening in South Africa has the potential to negatively affect that country’s economy and its people. “Government must arrest people responsible for this. South Africans must stand up and say no to xenophobia,” said Haludilu.
Students at the Polytechnic of Namibia feel the South African government is failing to manage and control its own people.
Novic Mukaya of the Polytechnic of Namibia said: “They can’t maintain peace in their nation.”
“The only way to stop this is to let the Americans step in, because SA (South Africa) can’t seem to calm its people down. America has helped solve many African issues through the UN,” Masule added.