How Brand South Africa reacts to violence against foreign nationals

Travel and tourism is an essential part of business in South Africa. Even though today’s violence appears not to be directed against tourists in the country, it has become a major security concern for visitors to this country. Brand South Africa joins the rest of the country in a statement condemning the acts of violence that have been levelled against some foreign nationals residing in some of the nine provinces of South Africa.

Violence against immigrants in South Africa has killed at least five people, resulted in attacks on businesses owned by foreigners and sent thousands to take refuge at temporary shelters.

A massive rally against xenophobia was held Thursday in Durban, the coastal city that has been the scene of much of the unrest. Migrants from Africa and South Asia have been the target of the violence, which was condemned by President Jacob Zuma.

The fighting in Durban left five people dead — two immigrants and three South Africans, CNN reported.

8,500 people fled to refugee centers or police stations this week because of the violence.

In Johannesburg on Thursday, foreign-owned shops were attacked and looted, the BBC reported, prompting some 200 people to take refuge at a police station.

The BBC reported : “Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the looters and arrested 12 people. … Police used rubber bullets to disperse a group of migrants in Johannesburg who had armed themselves with machetes for protection.”

Brand South Africa issued this in a statement.

We assure all our partners in the continent that South Africa stands firmly against all intolerances such as racism, xenophobia, homophobia and sexism. As such security forces are hard at work around the clock to protect vulnerable communities in the country.

The country remains true to its founding ethos that any problems or issues of concern by South African citizens must be resolved peacefully and through dialogue.

Brand South Africa assures our partners that South Africans are generally not xenophobic; this is attested to by the high number of foreign nationals who have been successfully integrated into communities all over our country, in towns, cities and villages.

Preliminary work done towards resolving this current challenge indicates that the root causes are socio-economic issues that have been raised and are being attended to by all South African role players.

Brand South Africa expresses its sincere sympathies to the regrettable loss of lives and injuries suffered during this unfortunate occurrence.

We are one Africa bound by many areas of commonalities and our spirit of UBUNTU (humanity – I am because you are) will prevail even under the trying circumstances.