SOLVING XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA

FRED CHUKWUELOBE urges both Nigeria and South Africa to move beyond reactive diplomacy and commit to sustained engagement

 Three convicted armed robbers were responsible for the killing of South African reggae legend, Lucky Dube. They targeted his Chrysler 300C, and murdered him during a botched carjacking in Rosettenville, Johannesburg. The attackers reportedly assumed he was Nigerian and shot him. We will return to this tragic point later.

Now, to the recent riots in South Africa, reportedly triggered by claims of a coronation in the Eastern Cape of one Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko as “Eze Igbo.” The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has since dismissed the allegation, clarifying that no such coronation took place and that the Igbo community involved was merely celebrating a cultural festival.

My concern, however, is that this clarification came too late. Rumours of a possible uprising had circulated for some time, and one would have expected a proactive response before tensions escalated. A timely intervention might have helped contain the crisis before it spiralled.

It is no secret that relations between many South African youths and Nigerian migrants – predominantly Igbo – remain highly volatile. The relationship is akin to premium motor spirit: both flammable and inflammable. A single spark can ignite widespread violence. Over the years, tensions have repeatedly erupted into xenophobic attacks, often rationalised by recurring allegations:

 One, South Africans accuse Nigerians of drug trafficking, claiming it harms their youth.

 Two, they also allege that Nigerians take their jobs and “snatch” their women.

On the first point, it is the responsibility of the South African government to combat drug trafficking through effective law enforcement. Mob violence against Nigerians cannot be justified under any circumstance. On the second, such claims are fundamentally weak. Relationships are consensual, and employment is competitive. No one can take what others are unwilling or unprepared to secure for themselves.

These accusations often serve as convenient pretexts for lawlessness – opportunities for idle youths to loot, burn, and unleash violence under the guise of grievance.

Returning to the murder of Lucky Dube, it underscores the dangers of prejudice and stereotyping. Three men: Sifiso Mhlanga, Julius Gxowa, and Mbuti Mabe, were convicted in March 2009 and sentenced to life imprisonment. The car they sought was reportedly worth about ₦60 million, but the true cost of that crime was immeasurable: the life of a national icon, taken in part due to mistaken identity and hate.

As for Nigerians, particularly Igbo residents in South Africa, it would be disingenuous to deny that some are involved in illicit activities. It is equally true that many are successful and, at times, display their wealth in ways that can provoke resentment. While there is nothing wrong with celebrating cultural heritage, there is a need for greater sensitivity in a foreign environment.

One practical solution is the establishment of a Nigerian–South African cultural association, that is, if such does not exist. Such a platform could foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared experiences. Inviting South Africans to participate in cultural festivals, and educating them on their significance, would help dispel suspicion and build trust.

At the same time, Nigerians abroad must exercise restraint. Loud or ostentatious displays of wealth can inflame already fragile relations. Success need not be flamboyant, especially in societies grappling with inequality, unemployment, and deep historical wounds.

South Africa, like Nigeria, continues to contend with inequality, high crime rates, youth unemployment, and systemic corruption. Drug abuse further compounds these challenges in both countries. These shared struggles should serve as a basis for cooperation rather than division.

Both governments must move beyond reactive diplomacy and commit to sustained engagement. Strengthening bilateral ties, alongside fostering grassroots social cohesion, remains essential to achieving lasting peace.

The time to end xenophobic violence is now.

  Chukwuelobe, Pointsize Communications Ltd