A group of war veterans has urged African governments to provide strong leadership and recommit themselves to the ideals of unity, dignity and economic justice to empower citizens, while condemning attacks and hostility directed at Zimbabweans and other African migrants in South Africa.
Speaking on the aftermath of Africa Day commemorated on May 25, chairperson of a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), Ethan Mathibela, said the recurring waves of xenophobic violence and discrimination against Zimbabweans and other African migrants in South Africa were deeply troubling and threatened the spirit of Pan-Africanism forged during Southern Africa’s liberation struggles.
“These unfortunate developments continue to undermine the spirit of African unity, regional solidarity and the historic bonds forged during the liberation struggles of Southern Africa,” Mathibela said.
Mathibela said Zimbabwe and South Africa shared a history rooted in sacrifice, solidarity and mutual support during the fight against colonialism and apartheid, making it painful to witness Zimbabweans targeted through violence, intimidation and economic scapegoating.
“It is therefore painful and regrettable to witness ordinary Zimbabweans becoming targets of violence, intimidation, social exclusion and economic scapegoating,” he said.
While acknowledging South Africa’s sovereign right to regulate immigration and enforce its laws, the war veterans said no socio-economic grievances could justify violence against foreign nationals.
“Xenophobia threatens not only human dignity but also regional peace, economic cooperation and continental integration as envisioned under the African Union and SADC frameworks,” Mathibela said.
He warned rising Afro-phobia on the continent was eroding the values upon which African liberation movements were founded and weakening the principles of solidarity that inspired liberation movements across Africa.
On the same note, ZNLWVA said the Zimbabwean government had to ‘honestly’ confront the domestic economic conditions driving large numbers of Zimbabweans to migrate to neighbouring countries in search of opportunities.
“The continued migration of large numbers of Zimbabweans into neighbouring countries is itself a reflection of domestic socio-economic challenges which require urgent national attention,” Mathibela said.
“Sustainable solutions cannot rely solely on diplomacy abroad while conditions at home continue to push citizens into economic migration.”
The war veterans proposed a multi-layered approach for the Zimbabwean government in dealing with the xenophobia crisis and migration challenges affecting Zimbabweans abroad. Among the recommendations was urgent high-level diplomatic engagement between Zimbabwe and South Africa focused on the protection of Zimbabwean nationals living in the neighbouring country.
Mathibela said Harare should seek stronger protection mechanisms from South African security agencies, swift prosecution of perpetrators of xenophobic violence, and the establishment of joint early-warning systems to monitor rising tensions in affected communities.
He said the Zimbabwean government should also push for community peace-building initiatives in affected provinces and townships to help reduce tensions between local citizens and migrants. “Diplomacy must be proactive rather than reactive,” he said.
The war veterans also called for the establishment of a formal bilateral migration framework between Zimbabwe and South Africa to address labour migration, documentation processes, skills recognition, cross-border trade and social protection for migrants. “The absence of a predictable migration framework creates space for exploitation, undocumented migration, criminal syndicates and social tensions,” Mathibela said.
He further urged Zimbabwean embassies and consulates in South Africa to become more visible and responsive in assisting citizens facing threats, displacement or legal challenges.
“Zimbabweans abroad must never feel abandoned by their own government,” he said.
Beyond diplomacy, the war veterans stressed that Zimbabwe needed to urgently address the root causes of migration by rebuilding confidence in the domestic economy through job creation, industrial revival, agricultural productivity, currency stability and youth empowerment.
Mathibela said citizens often migrated out of economic desperation rather than choice.
“Citizens do not willingly leave their homeland in large numbers unless compelled by economic necessity,” he said.
He added that reducing economic desperation at home would provide one of the strongest long-term responses to migration vulnerability abroad.
ZNLWVA also called for intervention at a regional level through SADC and the African Union, arguing xenophobia should not be treated as an isolated domestic issue affecting one country alone.
“Zimbabwe should push for a regional SADC dialogue on migration, labour mobility, social cohesion and anti-xenophobia policies,” Mathibela said.
“African states must collectively reject the dangerous rise of Afro-phobia within the continent.”
The war vets further appealed to political leaders, activists and public figures across Africa to avoid inflammatory rhetoric that blames foreign nationals for domestic economic problems.
“Leadership must unite societies rather than deepen divisions,” Mathibela said.
He also encouraged Zimbabweans living abroad to respect the laws and social systems of host countries and contribute positively to their communities.
As Africa commemorated Africa Day, Mathibela said the occasion should become a moment for serious reflection rather than ceremonial celebrations characterised by speeches and slogans while ordinary Africans continued to struggle with poverty, unemployment, corruption and displacement.
The true significance of Africa Day, said Mathibela, should be measured by whether governments were creating jobs, promoting justice and accountability, industrialising economies and making sure African resources benefited African citizens.
He added Africa’s liberation struggles were not fought simply for the transfer of political power, but for “human dignity, social justice, economic empowerment, and the creation of a better future for generations to come.”
Warning that xenophobia weakens the moral and political foundation of Pan-Africanism, the war veterans urged both Zimbabwe and South Africa to act urgently to prevent further tensions and violence.
“The future of Africa depends on cooperation rather than division,” Mathibela said.
“Poverty, unemployment, inequality and governance challenges affecting African societies cannot be solved by attacking fellow Africans. Africa belongs to all Africans.”
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