Friday 07 February

Media Alert | Press Conference

Emergency Coalition announces People’s March Against Xenophobia

19 April 2015

Johannesburg – The recent xenophobic attacks that have gripped South Africa have shamed the country, and sent shockwaves far beyond our borders. The attacks present a picture of South Africans to the world that suggests we are barbaric, violent and murderous. Representatives from social justice networks, trade unions, NGOs and the corporate sector have met to agree upon an appropriate response to these events, and to show solidarity with foreign nationals targeted in the violence and who remain at risk.

On Thursday, 23 April 2015, over 30,000 people are expected to march in Johannesburg in a spirit of unity to show the world that there is another South Africa, which welcomes migrants regardless of economic status or race and appreciates their contribution to our society. This South Africa is non-discriminatory, compassionate, welcoming, respectful of diversity and committed to the advancement of human rights and social justice.

The People’s March Against Xenophobia invites the media to a press conference where key leaders from the coalition of faith-based organisations, trade unions, NGOs and corporate South Africa will speak out against xenophobia alongside people directly affected by the violence. They will rally support for unity among principled South Africans standing in solidarity with the mainly poor foreign nationals, migrants and refugees of colour under siege.

Speakers will include:

  • Migrants, refugees, women and young people affected by the violence
  • Zwelinzima Vavi
  • Pregs Govender, Deputy Chairperson, South African Human Rights Commission (invited)
  • Prof Adam Habib, Vice Chancellor, University of the Witswatersrand
  • Bishop Paul Verryn

Press Conference details:

When: Monday 20 April 2015

Time: 14h00

Where: SECTION27, 5th Floor, Braamfontein Centre, 23 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein

For more information please contact:

  • Marc Gbaffou, African Diaspora Forum – 083 514 7367 |e: marcgbaffou@gmail.com
  • Ngqabutho Mpofu, SECTION27 – 061 807 6443 |e: mpofu@section27.org.za
  • Moira Campbell, Corruption Watch – 083 995 4711 | moirac@corrptionwatch.org.za
  • Borrie la Grange, Doctors Without Borders/MSF Southern Africa – 083 287 5294 | lagrange@msf.org

About the People’s March Against Xenophobia

People’s March Against Xenophobia is an emergency coalition convened to confront the horrors of xenophobia in South Africa, taking a stand to denounce the violence and embrace unity.We endorse the message that no-one is ‘illegal’ and call on all people living in South Africa to unite against unemployment, inadequate housing, rising crime and bad schools, instead of turning against people seeking refuge in the country for political and economic reasons.The coalition includes the African Diaspora Forum (ADF), CoRMSA, faith-based organisations, major social movements such as the Treatment Action Campaign, Equal Education, and Awethu!, trade unions such as FAWU, NUMSA, SACCAWU, SAFPU, SASAWU, CWU, PAWUSA, as well as the organisations; SECTION27, Corruption Watch and Doctors Without Borders.

Be part of the conversation on Twitter:

#StopXenophobia#StandInSolidarity#PeoplesMarchX #NotInMyName#Xenophobia

Anti-xenophobia march route


7 Comments

Peta Barrett · April 19, 2015 at 7:23 pm

It’s time we stood as a nation together regardless of race, gender or class to put a stop to the senseless violence that goes against the very fibre with which South Africa is made. I am African and proud! You will not harm my people with your hate and get away with it.

Thabang Skwambane · April 20, 2015 at 2:25 pm

As a former exile our entire family stands against the violence inflicted on others and the senseless destruction of property. We were sheltered and protected and never felt at risk. Now, we commit the ultimate atrocity by attacking the very hand that helped us to the freedoms we now enjoy. We are all responsible and those who are not free economically are unhappy and we must work together with them to solve the legacy of apartheid but not through violence or anger!
#NotInMyName #StopXenophobia #PeoplesMarchX

    Thabang Skwambane · April 20, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    As a former exile our entire family stands against the violence inflicted on others and the senseless destruction of property. We were sheltered and protected and never felt at risk. Now, we commit the ultimate atrocity by attacking the very hand that helped us to the freedoms we now enjoy. We are all responsible and those who are not free economically are unhappy and we must work together with them to solve the legacy of apartheid but not through violence or anger!
    #NotInMyName #StopXenophobia #PeoplesMarchX

Vossie Goosen · April 21, 2015 at 1:37 pm

Led by Hayely Berman of Lefika la Phodiso who has worked against violence before the 1994 elections and during the 2008 Xenophobia that swept the country psychologists are also getting ready to provide services to those currently traumatised,

Keith Peacock · April 22, 2015 at 10:04 pm

The fight against Xenophobia cannot be won by moral outrage. Every street needs a street committee to protect all members of the community. We live in a country with artificial borders, a legacy of colonialism. We have a hostel system that must be dismantled..There have been many gains since 1994, but there is a short step from Xenophobia, to general racism and ethic violence. Apartheid kept up apart, now we again need to show solidarity and mass mobilisation.

C Fletcher · April 23, 2015 at 9:00 am

Please do not violate the rights of the South AFrican poorest communities by taking away the already scarce resources, housing, electricity, water, jobs, etc from them. my suggestion is that with so many foreigners obtaining docs through fraudulent activitities for grants and other resources, can we have a cut off point. eg. should we have 1 million from Zim than no other persons will be allowed from Zim. people will be send back when their permits expired to allow for others to enter. that way everyone will have a fair share. but i mean, SA citizins are treated as if they dont belong in SA. lets be fair now!

zane · May 3, 2015 at 12:05 pm

Xenophobia not in my name. Fight, oppose and repel xenophobia with the same vigour and commitment we Fought, Opposed and Repeled Apartheid. All Zen and no Phobia. Watch https://youtu.be/orN6c5Sgz5g

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