When we cannot comprehend our systemic failure anymore, it is easy to brand other people enemies of our progress. That is the new law in South Africa and they have made me look up word I have never looked up in the dictionary, xenophobia- the irrational fear of foreigners or strangers.
About two decades ago, every black person was good to the South Africa because every country on the continent stood firm for them eventhough those countries needed the resources they expended for their own development. Even unkind Abacha was kind to them.
The poem, Nightfall in Soweto was inspiring as Africans fought through apartheid even Nigerians elite fought it more than fighting the tyrants in Aso Rock at the time. But how on earth would the murderers' hands lurking in the shadows, clasping the daggers to strike down the helpless victims be those of apartheid kids saved few decades ago by those they now branded enemies? Now we are the prey, your fellow black men!
Mandiba the great came out of prison after twenty-seven horrible years and became president. He showed the world how to live by visiting the tomb of his jailer and discouraging the whites from leaving the land. Desmond Tutu was never wrong when he said, Nelson your people have failed you! Nearly all government in Africa have failed. They lack direction and now the black race suffer for their vision-less leadership. Libya is no place to live for a fellow African and now South Africa. We do not have to lose our heads as a strategy to eject criminal, it only requires working policies to put excesses of indigenes and foreigners under check, but our leaders cannot think to formulate policies that will make us prosper in our own land (except there's something in it for them), let alone foreigners without breaking laws.
Fellow Africans, if our heads have lost their heads and are not helping our situations, we should not lose ours by killing one another. Live according to the law of your host country as a foreigner: remember that earning little legitimately is far better than amassing wealth illegally, it is unjust to everyone in the land. Your ill actions affect everyone holding the passport of your nation.
May our leaders receive mindset, strength and understanding to lead us right. May the spirit of love, oneness and fairness regardless ethnicity and religious differences rest on us. God bless Africans!
Odunmorayo Olalekan Matthew
Author and speech writer
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