Ramaphosa addresses xenophobia concerns, reassures African leaders
President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured Daniel Francisco Chapo that South Africans are not inherently xenophobic, as tensions rise following protests targeting foreign nationals.
South Africans are not inherently xenophobic against people from other African countries.
That is the assurance President Cyril Ramaphosa has given his Mozambican counterpart, Daniel Francisco Chapo.
The leaders met in Pretoria on Tuesday, amid xenophobic tensions.
South Africans have taken part in marches where, in some cases, foreign-owned shops have been set alight.
Nigeria, Ghana, and Mozambique have formally complained to the government about the treatment of their citizens in the country.
Ramaphosa says countries must work together
Ramaphosa says a solution to the issue will be found.
“President Chapo and myself have discussed this matter and we agreed that we should work together. It’s not only one country that is affected.
“All countries that have foreign nationals in South Africa are also affected, as South Africa is affected, so we have to all work together and join hands to find solutions to this problem.”
NATJOINTS has called on all protesters to conduct themselves responsibly and within the law during demonstrations.
Tourism’s Patricia de Lille moves to calm fears
Meanwhile, ahead of the Africa Travel Indaba in Durban, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has moved to reassure African travellers amid growing unease over anti-foreigner protests.
Recent demonstrations in Durban and other parts of the country over illegal migration have, in some cases, turned confrontational and violent.
These actions have been condemned by local authorities, as well as leaders from countries such as Ghana and the United Nations.
De Lille says South Africa remains heavily reliant on African travellers, who account for around 70 per cent of arrivals.
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