Civil society organisations, migrant groups and human rights activists will gather in Observatory on Saturday for an anti-xenophobia rally aimed at promoting solidarity and addressing growing concerns over violence and hostility directed at foreign nationals in South Africa.
The rally follows a meeting held on 11 July where more than 30 social justice organisations agreed to work together in response to what they describe as a worsening humanitarian crisis affecting migrant communities. Saturday’s gathering is expected to lay the groundwork for a larger march to Parliament planned for 8 August.
Speaking to VOC News, rally organiser Tauriq Jenkins said the event is intended to unite organisations from across different sectors in support of migrant communities.
“Saturday’s rally is about bringing together migrant communities and solidarity organisations to discuss the humanitarian crisis they are facing. It is a vital first step towards a broader mass mobilisation against xenophobia and in support of the principles of Ubuntu,” Jenkins said.
He said the initiative has brought together organisations involved in housing, healthcare, education, climate justice and international solidarity campaigns.
Jenkins also rejected claims that migrants are responsible for South Africa’s unemployment and service delivery challenges.
“People are being told that migrants are responsible for unemployment and poor service delivery, but that is a false narrative. The real issues include corruption, economic hardship and long-standing policy failures. Migrants are being used as scapegoats for problems they did not create,” he said.
He added that the rally is intended to send a clear message that xenophobia does not reflect the values of most South Africans.
“We cannot stand by while people are forced to flee for fear of their lives. This is about standing together and showing that hatred and intimidation have no place in our democracy,” Jenkins said.
Photo: VOCfm
