The question of leadership and the Elephant in the room

The latest round of xenophobic attacks around the country, have sparked off much debate, concern, and condemnation of such despicable acts of violence. The most blatant example is the open attack and subsequent death of one Mozambican, Emmanuel Sithole, in the township of Alexandria. With the SAPs seemingly inept in managing and controlling the chaos, the questionable decision of deploying SADF troops to quell the violence was more an over-reaction by Government than a genuine attempt to once and for all resolve the crisis efficiently. The subsequent shooting of an EFF member, while protesting the xenophobia attacks in Alexandria, a few days later proves there is little tolerance for those sympathising with the situation, hence the SAPS leadership running for cover!

The fact that the xenophobia debacle has reared its ugly head again since the attacks in 2008, proves that the Government has not done enough to prevent the same from recurring.  In an act of blatant denial various top officials in Government blamed everything from collusion of third force elements in society to criminal elements among the mobs instigating the violence. The most farcical excuse came from none other than our Karaoke king, who once again played the Apartheid card as the main source of violence in this country and as the indirect course of the violent attacks on foreigners. Not once did he mention or condemn the irresponsibility of our leaders inciting violence on foreigners.

Our Government and Leadership are solely to blame for the attacks happening again.  It’s quite clear that very little or nothing was done to prevent it from recurring. Our borders are still as porous as it was, and possibly worse since 2008. There are little regulations governing the influx of foreigners, whether legal or illegal. The unemployment rate has steadily stagnated since 2008, with no significant decrease.  No measures were put in place to ensure South African citizens gets first privilege for job security or business entrepreneurship. There is no process to ensure illegal immigrants are deported back to their home countries. There is no legislation outlawing the practice of employing foreigners at a fraction of the cost of employing South Africans. Prominent leaders in society make public speeches with vitriol bordering on hate speech, and then get protected by government unconditionally.

Instead, Msihini wam stands on a podium making his annual Freedom day speech and claims that they (the Government) is not the only ones to blame for the chaos. Forget about him being the responsible leader and taking accountability. Forget about the buck stops with him. Similarly, writing open letters with empty promises to foreign journalists is not considered to be part of a 10 point plan. Turning a blind eye to reckless public speeches by prominent leaders is reminiscent of an ostrich with his head in the sand. The disgraceful way that our Leaders have conducted themselves throughout this chaotic mess, has culminated in retaliatory actions from our African neighbors with far reaching effects in diplomatic relations in the short to medium term. It’s time we as the South African electorate demands real leadership.