Press Statement – CoRMSA Commends President for Tackling Xenophobia

The Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA) commends President Jacob Zuma for denouncing xenophobia and calling for greater tolerance in his 2009 Reconciliation Day address. Xenophobic attacks have continued around the country since the May 2008 violence with over a thousand displaced in De Doorns in November 2009 and more than a hundred displaced in Polokwane this month. In the last six months there have been at least eight cases where xenophobic violence has resulted in foreign nationals being forced out of the area they were staying in. Threats of violence against groups of foreign nationals are also regularly being made.

President Zuma’s address focused on the need for tolerance and expressed outrage at the ill-treatment of foreign nationals in parts of the country. His statement comes two days before International Migrants Day is observed on 18^th December.

“If we are to tackle xenophobia and other prejudice in South Africa, we will need strong and consistent leadership from the country’s leaders including the President”, said Duncan Breen, advocacy officer for CoRMSA. “Those committing crimes based on xenophobia or other prejudice need to know that such acts will not be tolerated if we are to successfully build a culture of peace and tolerance”. International experience has shown that leadership from government is one of the key factors essential for combating prejudice and prejudice-related violence. CoRMSA calls for all leaders to address xenophobia and other intolerance within their constituencies.

For further information, please contact:

Duncan Breen, Advocacy Officer, CoRMSA

011 403 7561 or 0722 000 383

President Zuma’s speech can be accessed here.