After the recent incidences in South Africa that have affected the image of this country and the continent as whole, one must be able to express his thoughts in relation to these issues. If we were to make observation in relation to the recent xenophobic revolts, we will be able to detach issues of substance and activities that expose criminal activities within these revolts. This piece will want look at social-economic issues with intention of identifying what might be “causes” of these revolts. When you diagnose the current uprisings as pure xenophobic that analysis will be very wrong and pure impracticality and could lead us astray hence reaching wrong conclusion. This will then surely affect the mechanism that must be employed with the intention of remedying the situation.
This paper will like to venture to into the argument that was raised by one person who was interviewed on 3rd degree, a program that is on e-TV. He argues that foreigners take their jobs and equally they take residential place in squatter scamps. It is matter of fact that this individual is not the only one with this idea, for the Mr. Moses Tembe shares the similar sentiments even within the societies that we leave in the argument is well advocated. This paper will want to put practically example(s) to share more light in this discussion wit an attempt to find fact in the argument that this paper has raised. When someone is a refuge he is not protected by any labour relation laws or Acts. This has implication in the South African society in relation to his or her employment. South Africa is amongst the countries which are well known for having strong unions which fight for the protection of rights workers from exploitation and poor pay after engaging in strenuous work in dangerous workplaces.
This paper argues in essence that South African workers appear to be expensive on the bases that you have a legislation that protects them from unreasonable salaries as South African workers, this then minimizes the abuse of workers from the South African bourgeoisies. What this paper is exposing is that foreigners are apparent cheaper labour to business man and women who have security companies and who have supermarkets or bourgeoisies as class. They assume this status of cheaper labour because they are no longer subjected to the normally law of determining the wages or salaries of workers.
Marx argues that sellers fight among themselves for the sales, for the market. Each one of them wishes to sell, and to sell as much as possible, and if possible to sell alone, to the exclusion of all other sellers. Each one sells cheaper than the other. Thus there takes place a competition among the sellers which forces down the price of the commodities offered by them. Marx argues that these are the same tactic used to determine the wage or the salaries of workers. Wages will now rise, now fall, according to the relation of supply and demand, according as competition shapes itself between the buyers of labor-power, the capitalists, and the sellers of labor-power, the workers (Marx,1891:5-8). The argument that says foreigners appear to be cheaper labour is derive from the idea that says foreigners undergo another process which makes them even more cheaper given their status in South African land. So I think in moving forward we should acknowledge that the bourgeoisie have undermined the workers and poor by making them to fight amongst them about their labour power. Having noted the achievement by the bourgeoisie by sending us at war we should equally look at the role played by government.
The other element which has been exposed by the xenophobic attacks is the element tribal difference which has remains and is a challenge in the African countries, this is result of colonialism. This paper will want to argue that the intolerance in terms of our nationality is developed from the lack of tolerance amongst various tribes that exist with the African diaspora. Noting the fact that we have witness a situation where South African from other province particularly Limpompo have been victims of these incidences. To advance this discussion further the lack of tolerance between tribe is developed from a feeling of fear of infiltration, learning other people culture and their life style, this in essence is the fear of the unknown. These are the same elements that have ensured the surfacing of these incidences, hence our African brothers and sisters must depart from South Africa. It’s quite shocking to learn that some of the tribes that are in South Africa today are from north of this continent. This gives an indication that these our brother and sisters for our great grand father once shared land with them when this continent was divided according tribes not with this modern way of borders.
The South African government must equally feel ashamed noting their own contribution which gives them the same responsibility like the bourgeoisies. The South African government must equally note that some South African borders are not well guided this then gives our African brother and sisters to gain access in an illegal way. It is argued that South Africa is one of the African countries that have stability across board (socio-economic and political issues). South Africa should be in the forefront in illustrating this to other African countries. It is fact that most of the refugees that are in South Africa are from Zimbabwe and their relocation is motivated by their own political situation and starvation that is apparent in that part of Africa. South African should be able to advocate for change in that country in the interest of citizens of that country. It is known fact that in our days no country can afford to leave as island for each and everyone depends to the other same that goes for Zimbabwe. It should noted that the conditions that are in Zimbabwe are not good for anyone, it appears that there is justification of our brother from Zimbabwe to be with us given their own affairs.
In conclusion, on the 16 May 2008, Jacob Zuma delivered this message at the University of Zululand that “It is important that we understand that nation building is not only about people’s attitudes towards one another, though that is important. We must understand that nation building requires that we tackle the material differences between our people. We cannot have a united nation when a significant section of our society remains in poverty, or do not have access to quality education, or still live without basic services like water or housing”( Zuma, 2008) This message acknowledges that there is serious illiteracy and incompetent education South African education has contributed towards this situation whilst other site different reason but there is more to this beyond education, this paper we want to argue. But beyond this acknowledgment of then short coming of South African society, the President of the ANC is pausing a challenge to all who are within the borders of this country that it is important that we understand that we are from different backgrounds but when all is set and done we must be able to acknowledge, comprehend and create tolerance given our different upbringing informed by our different material condition.
These attacks are undermining the contribution made by our sister African
countries in our liberation struggle and are further an insult to our transition from apartheid to democracy. I believe that these xenophobic attacks have no acceptance and role in our society. I view these attacks as part of a contestation or competition over limited resources in the townships. This anger within the working class should be redirected to the owners of the means of production who have taken advantage of the economic vulnerability of our fellow brother and sisters from across our country's borders. The solution will be to eliminate the present situation of a minority owning the means of production and distribution of wealth whilst the majority owning nothing, have to work for the few. In other words money, buying and selling, commodities and the like must be done away with. Humanity must commonly own the means of production and must have free and equal access to the produce. Under such circumstances there will be no want and consequently no war and hatred. Socialism is the way forward and the only solution to the contradiction within our societies.
Reference
Marx, Karl. 1849. Wage Labour and Capital, the original. Neue Rheinische Zeitung, Nos. 264-267.
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