Govt pledges to ensure unity in communities
Posted 3rd July 2008 at 05:25 PM by NewsTracker
By Bathandwa Mbola
Pretoria -The South African government has pledged it will do everything necessary to ensure that Africans, regardless of their origin, will once more live together in peace with one another.
Addressing those who had gathered to remember those who lost their lives during the recent attacks on people from other countries, President Thabo Mbeki reaffirmed that government will reintegrate those who were displaced by the violence.
“”We are meeting here today to pledge that we will do everything necessary to assist the victims of this criminal onslaught, both the South Africans and our foreign guests, to resume their normal lives,” President Mbeki said.
In attendance was Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, cabinet ministers, faith-based organizations as well as victims of the violence, displaced people and the families of those who died.
President Mbeki said government would act without any unnecessary delay to address all concerns which had given birth to the tensions between the local and immigrant Africans.
Government will also entrench the understanding that full acceptance within all communities of new residents from other countries as well as good neighborhood was needed.
“We will work to mobilise all our communities to isolate and defeat the evil elements in our midst who target vulnerable African migrants, subjecting them to violent attacks for criminal purposes and personal again.”
A total of 62 people were killed, scores were injured and about 47 000 people were displaced during the nationwide attacks which broke out in Alexander, Johannesburg, on 11 May.
Those who were forced to leave their homes sought refuge at local police stations. They were later moved to safer temporary shelters set up around the country.
For the suffering and the shame that was caused, Mr Mbeki said government would ensure that those responsible would face the full might of the law.
“We will take all the necessary and possible measures to sustain respect for the law and our Constitutional order by all who live in our country and safety and security of all these, whether native-born or immigrant.”
Mr Mbeki urged South Africans to vow never to allow anybody to bring shame to the nation again by betraying the values of Ubuntu.
Government plans to reintegrate the displaced people by the end of July.
There are about 9 000 displaced people in the country, however, many have voluntarily moved back to their communities.
International agencies such as the UNHCR, Oxfam, Doctors without Borders, the Red Cross and a number of South African non-governmental organisations and faith based organizations have helped to provide support to the victims.
Attending the services was Selinah Fernando Watt, a displaced person from Siyahlala township in Bramflied.
Ms Watt lost her twin, Siphiwe, during the attacks.
She told BuaNews that she has gone back to her home. “I have lost everything, but I am starting afresh. I am just glad that my community has welcomed me back.”
Ms Watt said she would never come to terms with what happened to her but she said she was dedicated in putting it behind her. - BuaNews
Pretoria -The South African government has pledged it will do everything necessary to ensure that Africans, regardless of their origin, will once more live together in peace with one another.
Addressing those who had gathered to remember those who lost their lives during the recent attacks on people from other countries, President Thabo Mbeki reaffirmed that government will reintegrate those who were displaced by the violence.
“”We are meeting here today to pledge that we will do everything necessary to assist the victims of this criminal onslaught, both the South Africans and our foreign guests, to resume their normal lives,” President Mbeki said.
In attendance was Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, cabinet ministers, faith-based organizations as well as victims of the violence, displaced people and the families of those who died.
President Mbeki said government would act without any unnecessary delay to address all concerns which had given birth to the tensions between the local and immigrant Africans.
Government will also entrench the understanding that full acceptance within all communities of new residents from other countries as well as good neighborhood was needed.
“We will work to mobilise all our communities to isolate and defeat the evil elements in our midst who target vulnerable African migrants, subjecting them to violent attacks for criminal purposes and personal again.”
A total of 62 people were killed, scores were injured and about 47 000 people were displaced during the nationwide attacks which broke out in Alexander, Johannesburg, on 11 May.
Those who were forced to leave their homes sought refuge at local police stations. They were later moved to safer temporary shelters set up around the country.
For the suffering and the shame that was caused, Mr Mbeki said government would ensure that those responsible would face the full might of the law.
“We will take all the necessary and possible measures to sustain respect for the law and our Constitutional order by all who live in our country and safety and security of all these, whether native-born or immigrant.”
Mr Mbeki urged South Africans to vow never to allow anybody to bring shame to the nation again by betraying the values of Ubuntu.
Government plans to reintegrate the displaced people by the end of July.
There are about 9 000 displaced people in the country, however, many have voluntarily moved back to their communities.
International agencies such as the UNHCR, Oxfam, Doctors without Borders, the Red Cross and a number of South African non-governmental organisations and faith based organizations have helped to provide support to the victims.
Attending the services was Selinah Fernando Watt, a displaced person from Siyahlala township in Bramflied.
Ms Watt lost her twin, Siphiwe, during the attacks.
She told BuaNews that she has gone back to her home. “I have lost everything, but I am starting afresh. I am just glad that my community has welcomed me back.”
Ms Watt said she would never come to terms with what happened to her but she said she was dedicated in putting it behind her. - BuaNews
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