By Koketso for the amandla .mobi team.
Our communities are being torn apart by hate and misinformation about migrants, while the real villains—greedy politicians, officials, and business leaders who cut jobs and drive up food prices—are laughing at us.
Across Mzansi, we know our strength is in community. But right now, violent hate groups like March and March are trying to tear our communities apart. They are manipulating people, turning neighbour against neighbour, and blaming all our issues on our migrant neighbours, instead of the real villains.
I think of mothers afraid to send their kids to school, children fearing their friends hate them for where their parents were born, and families forced to flee the only home they’ve ever known.
Most of us—including migrants—want to give our children a better life. We believe in a Mzansi where everyone thrives, is safe, has clean water, food, healthcare, and education.
That’s why I’m part of this movement. Together, amandla .mobi members have won campaigns to create more jobs, increase social grants and bring prices down – to do the real work of making South Africa a home for all who live in it.
We must not let hate groups distract us from holding the real villains of unemployment, poverty, and service delivery collapse accountable. The corrupt benefit when we’re divided.
Here are three ways our movement can meet this moment:
🗣️ Speak out
Speak out against hate and violence on social media. You can share this post on Facebook to help spread messages of support, debunk myths, and counter misinformation. Please also check on others and offer help where you can – such as where to take shelter, or where to drop off goods.
🚨 Report violence
If you see any illegal activity or violence against migrants in your community, please do not hesitate to contact your local SAPS.
You can also reach out to Xenowatch on report@xenowatch.ac.za or send a WhatsApp to +27 (0) 63 839 0124, including information such as location, short description of the incident, time of incident and photos or videos – you might save a life.
🤲🏽 Donate
We know times are tough for everyone. But if you have anything to spare, our friends at Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign have started a fundraiser to help support migrants who have lost their homes and livelihoods in recent violent attacks. You can donate here: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/siyafana-sonke-defend-migrants-from-hate.
We know the majority of people – our friends, our communities – are concerned about this horrific violence. Anyone would be horrified to see children pulled out of schools or patients dragged from hospital beds. If enough of us speak up, we can counter dangerous misinformation, report xenophobic violence and help those fleeing for their lives, and remind others who the real villains are: the greedy politicians, officials and business leaders who have cut jobs and charge high food prices.
Today, we find strength in each other and protect our communities from violence. Tomorrow, and every day after that, we’ll keep fighting for the South Africa we all deserve – which starts with making Mzansi a safe home for all who live in it.
Together for justice,
