Xenophobic violence unacceptable - BWA

The strongly worded statement continued:

We strongly urge the perpetrators of this callous and unnecessary violence to stop their actions as a matter of urgency.

Since the ushering in of a democratic dispensation in 1994, South Africa has steadily built itself the reputation of being the Rainbow Nation, a cosmopolitan country that espouses and believes in the principles of Ubuntu. However, recent developments have cast a dark shadow over South Africa and have dealt a huge blow to the gains of the past 14 years, such gains which are gradually being undone by the actions of a handful of unruly mobs. South Africa is now under international scrutiny, a situation that does not augur well for tourism, hosting of the 2010 [FIFA] World Cup, investor confidence, and business in general.

The BWA acknowledges that South Africa does indeed have numerous internal issues to sort out including high levels of unemployment, lack of adequate housing for people living in poor communities, and poverty. We also acknowledge the fact that South Africa has a problem with our porous borders which have allowed illegal immigrants to enter South Africa in search of work. We acknowledge the social ills that are plaguing our country and we understand the frustration of our local people at the perceived lack of development in poorer communities.

However, we can not justify our frustrations through gruesome murders, rape, violence, and theft. Events of the past two weeks have been reminiscent of the days of apartheid, a period of immense heartache and pain for many South Africans. Let us not allow ourselves to go back to those days when visions of men being burnt to death were the order of the day.

Let us also remember the role that African countries played in our own fight against oppressive rule and our attainment of democracy. They fought with us and they fought for us. Our struggle was also their struggle and we must never lose sight of that.

As the BWA, an organisation that represents the interests of businesswomen throughout the country, we are greatly saddened by these recent developments. As women, mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives, we find the situation unacceptable and we extend our sympathies to all those who have been affected, foreigners and South Africans, and we wish you peace during this time of turmoil.

We urge the government to take urgent action and ensure that this xenophobic violence comes to an end and never raises its head again. We also urge all South Africans to come together and work together in peace and harmony for the greater good of our country, and our continent.