Major business groups and associations in South Africa, including investors in the country’s oil and gas industry, have described the recent xenophobic attacks on foreigners in the country as uncalled for and charged the government to take measures that can guarantee safety for non-nationals in the country.
Specifically, Africa Oil & Power (AOP) and its partners, South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) and South African Oil & Gas Alliance (SAOGA), amongst others condemned in strong terms the violent attacks on foreign nationals living in South Africa which had resulted in businesses being looted and about 12 deaths recorded so far.
The AOP’s Chief Executive Officer, Guillaume Doane, who spoke at its ongoing conference on Monday in South Africa was quoted in a news report by Africa Press Organisation (APO) Group, as saying that the company “stands firmly against the violence on foreign nationals that has erupted in South Africa in recent weeks. We are pleased that the government has taken affirmative action against the xenophobic attacks which has already shown positive results.
“This is a time for South Africa to look back at its democratic breakthrough in 1994 in which the support of other African countries was critical in it achieving its freedom. The country is where it is today in large part because of the generosity and kindness of its neighboring countries”, Doane stressed.
The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) also pledged its support to the government and encouraged South Africans to look to the future and how these events will affect the country’s advancement.
The President of SACCI, Mtho Xulu, in a meeting of business representatives with the Police Minister on Monday said: “We, as the chamber, condemn the violence. We want to caution against these attacks which are shortsighted to destroy businesses.”
Similarly, the South African Oil & Gas Alliance (SAOGA) leaders also spoke against the violence in a statement to AOP, reminding South Africans that it is in everyone’s interest that we live harmoniously with our neighbours.
The SAOGA Executive, Adrian Strydom, stated: “In many ways, South Africa is who most African nations look to for inspiration on how to drive social and economic change. It is disappointing that the violence should alter this perception in a critical time when Africa is emerging as a key player on the global stage.
“I encourage all South Africans to speak up against this horrific situation, not only because the rest of the world is watching, but because it is wrong and goes against the country’s ideals and the spirit of Ubuntu”, he added.
In his remarks which raised some concerns and denounced the surge of violence in South Africa, CEO of Centurion Law Group and Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, N.J Ayuk said: “Most people, particularly most Africans, are familiar with this situation. The question is, then, what is to be done to end disproportionate violence and economic stagnation? Businesses are leaving and investors are not investing.
“The blame game is not going to work. We must own up to it, find solutions and fix it. This is not the Africa we are working for”, he added.
On the vicious cycle that is bound to occur should the violence not be curbed with immediate action, Ayuk noted that many had given up on a solution and the hardliners on both sides were winning.
He cautioned: “This is going to underpin a vicious cycle, high rates of violent crimes, more poverty and killings. Words must become deeds that meet needs. We owe it to a lot of good people who are trapped.”
As of Monday, the South African Police reported that it had made 639 arrests related to the xenophobic attacks even as South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, insisted that there was no justification for the attacks and called on ministers and the police service to find solutions to address the violence.
