SA violence against foreigners upset KK
SA violence against foreigners upset KKBy Brighton Phiri
Monday May 26, 2008 [04:00]
DR Kenneth Kaunda yesterday revealed that he feels hurt by reports of continued xenophobic attacks and killings of foreigners in South Africa because this is against the spirit of the liberation struggle. And Dr Kaunda said Africa must soldier on to achieve economic emancipation of its people.
Commenting on the xenophobic violence in South Africa that had spread from Gauteng Province to other provinces such as Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Cape by last Thursday, Dr Kaunda said he felt disturbed with the wave of attacks and killings of foreigners in South Africa because that was against the spirit of oneness through which the founding leaders contributed towards the liberation of southern Africa.
“I feel hurt about it. I strongly feel hurt indeed because that is not the spirit in which we fought for our freedom as Africans. It is very unAfrican for one to conduct himself in such a manner,” Dr Kaunda said.
He asked South Africans perpetrating xenophobic violence to stop their actions as they were not in the interest of African unity, which the founding freedom fighters championed.
“We condemn these xenophobic attacks in strongest terms,” he said.
However, Dr Kaunda said he was comforted with the South African government’s quick response to stop the violence.
“I hope and pray that South African government’s handling of the situation will bring out something meaningful,” Dr Kaunda said.
Over 42 foreigners have been killed and over 15,000 have been displaced.
And addressing the diplomatic community accredited to Zambia during the commemoration of Africa Freedom Day yesterday, Dr Kaunda called for rededication to the cause of Africa.
“Let us rededicate ourselves to peace, social justice, economic and social development. For we need peace in order to attain sustainable economic prosperity,” he said. “We need peace to achieve regional economic integration. We need peace in order to be able to link Africa into the global economy, a mission that must be fulfilled.”
Dr Kaunda paid tribute to Africa’s founding leaders for their vision and relentless efforts to achieve liberty and forge a true sense of unity for the continent by establishing the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963.
He said the founding leaders laid a firm foundation for succeeding generations to build on.
“Let us remember that our founding leaders were instrumental and inspirational in fulfilling our quest to achieve political independence. To all intents and purposes, they have passed on the torch to a new generation of leaders whose mission is to achieve economic emancipation of our continent,” he said. “On this auspicious occasion, we should once again take note of the commitment to the cause of Africa by those patriots who paid the supreme sacrifice during those dark days. They were selfless citizens of our continent with an important mission to accomplish.”
Dr Kaunda urged African leaders to do everything possible to maintain peace and unity of purpose among their countries so that together they could fulfil the people’s aspiration to achieve a higher standard of living in peace and harmony.
Labels: KENNETH KAUNDA, SOUTH AFRICA, XENOPHOBIA
posted by MrK @ 3:42 AM
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