The Coalition against Xenophobia ( Several Civil society organisations; Government Officials; Concerned South African Citizens; Unions; Different stakeholders, African community leaders) had a Jozi solidarity march against Xenophobia and racism on the 28th of March 2017 . Hundreds of people took to the streets to show solidarity. Among the participants was the Gauteng Premier David Makhura who has always been supportive in the fight against xenophobia. The Premier, in the key note address said that Africans who are rejected by the United States of America and Europe are welcome in the Gauteng Province and encouraged them to utilise their skills in enhancing the South African economy. The Premier condemned the hate speech and the xenophobic attitude by certain leaders like the Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba.
The African Diaspora Forum chairperson, Marc Gbaffou, took the opportunity to request the Government of South Africa to revise the white paper on immigration that was released early this month, especially the section on the asylum seekers in South Africa that stipulate that asylum seekers will no longer be allowed to conduct work, study or run businesses. He further requested the government to amnesty all illegal immigrants as this will enable the government to have an accurate database of the number of migrants in the country. The registration of all migrants in South Africa will reduce the chances of xenophobic outbreaks and further protect migrants from being used as cheap labour which is one of the main causes of xenophobic attacks. Several community leaders also used the opportunity to thank the South African citizens who are standing up against xenophobia. They also requested the government to protect the migrant communities.
The African Diaspora Forum is disappointed by mayor Herman Mashaba who turned down the invitation to come and show solidarity in the fight against xenophobia and racism.
During the march, the African Diaspora Forum and its partners observed a minute of silence in honour of our fallen father and human rights defender, Comrade Ahmed Kathrada. We would like to express our heart felt condolences to the family, friends and South Africa as a whole on the loss of this significant figure who stood up against any form of discrimination until his very last minute.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who ensured that this march was a success and those who were able to join the march.
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