In a show of remorse for recent xenophobic attacks in their country and resultant reprisals, South Africans have staged a peace walk and asked for forgiveness from other African nations.
Photos and footage in circulation on social media show thousands of South Africans marching in parts of the country to call for an end to attacks on foreign nationals.
The march is coming after hundreds of foreign nationals – including Nigerians and Zimbabweans – were forced to leave the country over the recent xenophobic attacks.
The march is also coming after the country’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, apologised publicly after a crowed of Zimbabwe mourners booed him at the funeral service of Robert Mugabe over the xenophobic attacks.
“I stand before you as a fellow African to express my regret and apologise for what has happened in our country,” Ramaphosa had said while delivering his condolence speech at the Zimbabwe National Sports Stadium.
Meanwhile, following the humiliation he suffered at the hands of Zimbabweans during Mugabe’s funeral on Satruday, Ramaphosa has now taken steps to address the negative image the citizens of other countries currently have about South Africa.
A statement published on the official website of South Africa’s presidency on Sunday said Ramaphosa has appointed a special envoy to heads of African governments to convey his regret concerning the widely condemned attacks.
“A team of Special Envoys appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa have begun their assignment yesterday, 14 September 2019, and departed South Africa to deliver messages of solidarity to several Heads of State and Government across Africa,” the statement said.
“The team, comprising of Mr Jeff Radebe, Ambassador Kingsley Mmabolo and Dr. Khulu Mbatha, will visit Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.
“The Special Envoys will deliver a message from President Ramaphosa regarding the incidents of violence that recently erupted in some parts South Africa, which have manifested in attacks on foreign nationals and destruction of property.
“The Special Envoys are tasked with reassuring fellow African countries that South Africa is committed to the ideals of pan-African unity and solidarity. The Special Envoys will also reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to the rule of law.
“The Special Envoys will brief governments in the identified African countries about the steps that the South African government is taking to bring a stop to the attacks and to hold the perpetrators to account,” read the statement.
