March Against Xenophobia

Today was Africa Day, a day to celebrate the forming of the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union, or AU). Normally it's a day to celebrate African independence and pride, but today was different. Africans here in South Africa decided that it was time to take a stand against Xenophobic attacks happening right here in our province. Zimbabweans, Congolese, Malawians, Mozambicans, and more have been subject to violence in the name of fear and hatred. On this day they decided to march, and we marched with them. In the past I've really wondered what a march could accomplish. I know that even America's history is marked with different marches for independence, rights, and freedom. But in this day and age, is that effective anymore? Well, I still don't have the answers to that, but to see the hope in peoples faces, to hear the songs for freedom, to march along side Africans in their hope for a better future, this is something I see as worth it. So Brian, Doug, Mariah, Manasseh (a friend from Zimbabwe), and myself went out. These are the pictures from this time. It was an amazing time, even when the rain hit. We sang, we danced, and we created hope for the future.
















At the end of the March there were a few speeches. One given by a woman who traveled down for this march from Zimbabwe. She spoke of many marches being had up there, and every time being beaten and sometimes imprisoned for the hope they have for a new nation. After several more speakers, one of the youth from Zimbabwe read a letter written to President Mbeki (the South African president). In essence, the letter stated that what has been happening to foreigners in South Africa was unacceptable and that whatever the government is doing to help is simply not enough. It also spoke about the South African governments lack of involvement in the political situation in Zimbabwe and how this country needs to help to step in and mediate for a better outcome. They listed the hopes and demands of the people, most of which I couldn't really hear over the crowd and through the rain. In the end the document was signed by several of the leaders of organizations present for the march and handed over to the Presidents aid who promised that it would make it into his hands. We finished the day singing the South African National Anthem (well, they sang, I listened). It was a good day and a hopeful day.






Here are a couple of videos from the march. Possibly more to come!