South Africa September 2005 |
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| Village that welcomes Zimbabwean immigrants, (City Press, 2005-09-17):-Xenophobia has been a thorny issue in South Africa. Many people have flocked to South Africa from other African countries since the dawn of democracy in search of a better life. Some of them have been forced to seek refugee in this country because of poverty and social, political and economic challenges which are ravaging their countries. Though South Africans in some places have not been receptive, the Venda people in Tshivhilwi have extended a warm welcome and hospitality to hundreds of Zimbabweans. But one gets a sense that somehow the gesture may not necessarily and completely be out of sheer goodness of the heart. It is a matter of give and take. There are also selfish motives. Often the Zimbaweans are subjected to abuse and exploitation by the villagers. The Zimbabweans are said to be very useful because they are prepared to do hard jobs such as ploughing which the locals are reluctant to do. They do this kind of job for a fee next to nothing or a small fraction of what a South African would charge - if they agree to do it anyway. Humbulani Rasilingwani, chairperson of the standing ward committee in the civic organisation in Tshivhilwi, says that it is only a pleasure to have the Zimbabweans living among them. Although there are no records of how many Zimbabweans are in Tshivhilwi, Rasilingwani says the number could be 2 000 or more. He says that they have encouraged villagers who accommodate the foreigners to register them at the headman's place so that there may be records for control purposes. But villagers are not as forthcoming. "These people are here illegally so locals are afraid that they may get into trouble with the law if they are found to have accommodated the foreigners. People have been warned that a fine of R4 000 will be imposed on those who harbour illegals. At the moment there are only 80 foreigners registered in the book. "These people are just here to make a living. They do not commit crime. They are very handy and they do not overcharge. Locals are lazy. If you give these guys a job they do it in no time. They do not complain. "But some villagers have taken advantage. They refuse to pay the foreigners after they have done a job. But generally there is peace," says Rasilingwani. Matodzi Netsianda says that they understand the plight of the Zimbabweans and the challenges they are confronted with. "If people can opt for life in the bushes instead of living in their country that should tell you something. We appreciate what these guys are doing here to help the grannies," says Netsianda. Despite being well received by the villagers, the Zimbabweans say that they are often terrorised by the police. Now and then they have to run away. Some even have marks and wounds on their bodies to show for it. "We run. We do not care if we get injured. As long as we do not have to go to Zimbabwe. If you are deported it is difficult to come back. It is a long journey that takes days," one of the Zimbabweans says, pointing to a wound on the arm. The department of home affairs facilitates the deportation of illegal immigrants at a very high cost. On average the department deports 1 200 people to Zimbabwe every Wednesday and hundreds to Mozambique. | |
South African Migration Project (SAMP) - Queen's University - http://www.queensu.ca/samp |