NMMU
marches against xenophobia – Selwyn Milborrow
While
South African troops took to the streets of Johannesburg, about 3000 students
and staff of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), including
representatives from political parties, religious institutions, and provincial
government converged at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University to march in an
anti-xenophobia campaign. Almost 8 percent of NMMU's 27 000 students come from
outside of South Africa.
In an earlier statement to the staff and students of NMMU, Vice-Chancellor,
Professor Derrick Swartz said that everyone
must uphold their Constitutional values of respecting diversity and human
rights unconditionally. He called on all sectors of society to speak with one,
undivided voice against this appalling spectre of violence and intimidation,
and work in engaging and educating communities about their responsibilities in
a free society.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Mayor, Ben Fihla and Provincial
Premier Phumulo Masualle, joined the silent march
in a show of solidarity across the Eastern Cape Province for African
compatriots. The March started on the lawns on
North Campus and thousands marched to South Campus where the Chair of Council
Judge Ronnie Pillay and Vice-Chancellor Professor Derrick Swartz accepted
pledges by the more than 10 000 people who joined the anti-xenophobia campaign.
The NMMU choir performed inspirational African songs to an
emotional crowd. Professor Swartz said it was
one of those epic moments in his own life where he was truly proud to be an
African and a South African. To be a human being.
He
told the marchers that they came to the defence of a noble principle that
underlined the constitution; a society that is inclusive. “I am really proud of
the fact that we’ve been able to bring you here to express your solidarity in a
colourful and positive way as a statement against xenophobia. It’s a crime
against humanity,” professor Swartz said. He concluded by saying that, “It cannot
be tolerated and it must be eviscerated from our land. And today we have made a
stance in history, we have drawn a line in the sand and to say from this
conjuncture onwards we say 'no' not in our name.”
His
statement was supported by premier Masualle who said that the xenophobic violence was a threat to the huge strides made in restoring
the African continent and a slap in the face of a democratic South Africa.
#NoToXenophobia
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