#Xenophobia: Of South Africa's Warped Protectionism [1]

I have thought about the recent xenophobic attacks unleashed on Nigerians in South Africa and the many issues that have come to surround it. For the while, I've kept pondering and just regurgitating on the issue, while the attacks, counter-attacks and the rash condemnations continued. I have taken this position not out of indifference nor because I do not know what to say.

My quietude somehow practically stems from the astonishment I've been thrown into by the situation. The very reality of a nationalistic biasness coming from people who are black and Africans towards fellow black people just cannot keep me from being astounded. It blew me a devastation that somehow numbed my sense of consciousness.

Indeed I cannot fathom as to make a contributing take to the scenario that South Africans could take such humiliating and denigrating act of brigandage, and arson against a people that share integral values of blackness and Africanness, much less to Nigerians. It beats my imagination on many fronts, especially considering the long years of affinity and support that Nigeria has given to the rainbow nation.

I do not wish to use the opportunity of this medium to reminisce on the past and what and how who has contributed or benefited from the integral value of an African brotherly support and concern so as to throw up negative sentiments. I'll not but instead focus on the essence of the clattering issue at stake. My focus would be on finding a lasting solution to this insensitivity that has lingered, rather than pointing fingers and laying blames.

Nigerians are very widely appreciated for their industriousness and hardwork; anywhere they go, they thrive. None can creditably wish away the innovativeness and ingenuity of the Nigerian person, more particularly the Igbo person in transforming what could be described as desert to flourishing oasis. It is in the average Nigerian, the inventing and "can-do" spirit. This strategically has pit them against the people they have by choice decided to call home.

While many may adduce this to a grandstanding jealousy and disaffection, the seething fear of dominance by a flying enterprising migrants is behind this now recycling flame of xenophobia,. It is alleged that the bone of contention is on the competition for available resources. It's been said that South Africans see the average Nigerian person, who is creating avenues through his inherent spirit of innovation and industry, as a huge threat that should leave or forced to leave their land.

The South African presumes that the average Nigerian who sojourns with them is putting pressure on the dismal resources at their disposal and taking away what should be theirs- and is thus putting them at the wit's end of survival. They had become focused on this disillusionment tha they've robbed themselves of any advantages which the fact of this sojourn cum interaction should have brought to bear. Knowledge is transmissible, and readily by appreciative association.

Contd.