Malawians demand Zuma apology on Xenophobia, hold peaceful protests

Hundreds of Malawians on Tuesday held street demonstration in the capital, Lilongwe, against the on-going anti-immigrant attacks in South Africa and protested outside the South Africa High Commission .

The writting on the placard is clear: Xenophobia is the new apartheid
The writting on the placard is clear: Xenophobia is the new apartheid
Malawians hold peaceful protests
Malawians hold peaceful protests
Malawians demonstrate against xenophobia
Malawians demonstrate against xenophobia

The emotional but peaceful protestors led by activists carried placards and chanting songs against President Jacob Zuma of South Africa and KwaZulu Natal’s King Zwelithini.

The demonstrators -most of them wearing black as a symbol of mourning – handed over a petition to High Commissioner Cassandra Mbuyane-Mokone who thanked them for holding a peaceful protests.

“We, the people of Malawi, stand in solidarity with all Africans to condemn in the strongest terms the current resurgence of xenophobia in the Republic of South Africa,” read a petition.

They demanded President Zuma to appologise within 48 hours and hold accountable King Zwelithini and others or risk a boycott of South Africa goods.

“We are extremely disgusted by the reckless xenophobic utterances by senior political figures such as Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu and President Zuma’s son Edward that continue to incite violence against foreign nationals,” reads the petition.

It adds: “The South African Human Rights Commission investigates xenophobia comments reportedly made by the Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, Edward Zuma and Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu and take appropriate action.”

The petitioners also demand the South African government to be “be proactive and protect the rights of all people living in South Africa in line with international legal obligations” and “thoroughly investigate the xenophobic attacks and hold all those responsible accountable.”

Activist Billy Mayaya who led the protests said they have also demanded compensation for the victims of xenophobia.

“”We call upon the Government of South Africa to urgently remove the structural inequalities that are rooted in apartheid and white privilege. We believe these are the main causes of worsening economic inequality and marginalisation. These inequities were not instituted by migrants, and will not automatically disappear if the migrant population decreases. The most sustainable way to address the economic frustrations felt by many South Africans is to adopt policies that reduce the inequalities, and create programmes that empower ordinary South Africans,” reads the petition.

The petition has been signed by Billy Mayaya, a human rights defender, Gift Trapence who is executive director of Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), Robert Mkwezalamba from Human Rights Consultative Committee, Lucky Mbewe the executive director of Youth Empowerment and Civic Education (YECE) and Timothy Mtambo who is executive director for Centre for Human Rights Rehabilitation (CHRR). There were also other human rights activists such as Martha Kwataine and Hebrews Misomali.

The activists  also stated in the petition that Malawians will boycott South African business and products in the country, if their concerns are addressedwithin 48 hours.

Information Minister Kondwani Nankhumwa said nearly 400 Malawians arrived home on Monday, traveling overnight by bus from South Africa.

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Gosh Gosh
Gosh Gosh
9 years ago

Things like this happens .we are all one.Learn from mistake.Sorry O

yasin kasim
9 years ago

Basi mulungu akhululuke.

MAYO MAYO
9 years ago

Tamabweraniko kumeneko majoni
Sizinthu

Agalu amenewo

Bola pa nyasaland

cecilia simbeye
cecilia simbeye
9 years ago

God be with us

saidi saidi
saidi saidi
9 years ago

Thank u fail Malawians to help on matching this stupid thing of xenophobia start with stupid non educated people that they never even travel.

noel kamoto
noel kamoto
9 years ago

KOMA KUMENEKO

Namate
Namate
9 years ago

Mawa protestv against tribalism in malawi.

Emmanuel
Emmanuel
9 years ago

i see no reason in forcing someone to apologise coz what i know is apology comes from deep down and even if RSA president can apologise what will it change?

Malindima
Malindima
9 years ago

Come home honorable countrymen!
We put effort on commercial farming by growing sunflower,we focus on milk production, increase growing soya beans, chimbana, nandolo, improve our own manufacturing and refrain from importing by buying Malawian products, focus on Tourism using our Lake; we have beautiful Cape McClear! We can do much better than we are. We need much of political will to really succeed and if we start now,within 15 years, we will start seeing the fruits!

Malindima
Malindima
9 years ago

Bwinotu Bwino! Just condemn the attacks. Boycotting companies and products is also doing harm to ourselves especially where FDI is concerned. Closing RSA companies will lead to job loses and what happens after that? You will March pushing Malawi Government to create jobs as you have already demanded!
Be careful with these headless chickens!

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