JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Foreign nationals living in Johannesburg are super worried about their safety after a bunch of violent anti-immigrant protests swept through South Africa. Demonstrators have been going after migrant groups, saying immigrants take local jobs, boost crime rates, and overwhelm public services.
In the video, we see how these events play out at home, with migrants trying to keep up appearances. Petunia, a Zimbabwean migrant, chimed in to defend her community. She pointed out that her sole aim was to work and support her family. Even her South African pal, Sizi, jumped in to urge some understanding. Sizi said the migrants were actually hardworking and inventive, and they contribute a lot to society.
The truth is, lots of people can’t go back home. Take Wilondja Omari Jamse, for example, a Congolese immigrant who fled conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He explained that he’d be in danger if he tried to return, since warfare is still happening there.
“My life is at risk,” Jamse noted. “I fear for my safety every day, and feel like I’m never safe with my family.”
Zimbabwean workshop owner Mr Miouri called the attacks shocking and deeply painful. They disrupted efforts to build international partnerships and boost the local economy. As the crisis worsens, West African nations such as Nigeria and Ghana are launching repatriation flights. Additionally, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, and Lesotho have warned their citizens in South Africa to exercise extreme caution.
View the full video report below
[This current affairs report item is provided as part of Broadcast Media Africa (BMA)’s mandate to keep Africa’s broadcast media audiences and stakeholders informed on international developments in local and global humanitarian and public service broadcasting.]
