Let Africa under your skin

28 April 2015 - 02:01 By The Times Readers

President Jacob Zuma is sending cabinet members and other senior government officials across Africa to douse anger at our perceived laxness in dealing with xenophobic attacks (The Times, April 23). His decisive measures are commendable and should be supported by all sectors of society. But the factors underpinning Afrophobia must also be addressed.The perception that South Africa is anything but Africa must be eradicated. As part of infusing Pan-Africanism, Africa Day must be declared a public holiday. This will have a positive psychological effect on mass consciousness.The business practice of employing foreign nationals at low wages must be outlawed. By banning this scab-like labour South Africa would give meaning to working-class solidarity and proletarian internationalism.By-laws in townships and informal settlements should be strengthened to buttress regulated immigration. Mzukisi Gaba, Cape TownAs the president and his cabinet depart to "douse anger" elsewhere in Africa,I ask, why not douse it here?Mr President, you are a superficial man and we are a superficial state. If we do not tend to the roots of our own unweeded garden, the weeds will keep growing.You are right in saying South Africans should help one another no matter where we live. The same goes for helping fellow Africans no matter where they live, even in South Africa.So get involved, Mr President. Take a trip to Alex and douse the xenophobia yourself. Liam Collins,St John's College (matric)..

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