South African people and its government have betrayed Africa

To fathom that few weeks ago we were like one African family cheering behind the bafana-bafana team is quite shocking. The South African flag was on almost every car, house ,College, university and, for once, Africa’s hopes were revived. Indeed it is time for Africa. Where has this xenophobia come from then? To make matters worse it’s targeted at the same poor peasants who stood by you in time of need.

The Zimbabweans and other foreign nationals were there helping to make the African World Cup event a success,but I am truly astounded to hear that the foreign African nationals are scampering for safety. The most embarrassing situation is that the xenophobia is being targeted against African brothers and sisters.Where has the spirit of pan-Africanism gone to?


Policemen trying to stop the fire on foreigners who’ve been set alight by local people

Africa has played a pivotal role to ensure that your independence became a reality. When Mandela was released from prison we were all mad with joy. I remember as a young man running with joy upon catching wind of the news that South Africa was free. It was indeed a sigh of relief to us because I had heard the ordeal they went through in the fight against apartheid. Many ordinary citizens from countries like Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe were persecuted by the apartheid regime because of you. However they never threw up the towel for your sake, they persevered for the sake of Africa. Is this how you are going to repay the same ordinary people who suffered for you? Do not mock God, every creature must submit to God and respect other people. As we speak more than hundred African brothers and sisters have died at your hands, cold blooded murder of innocent people. Why South Africa Why.



More than 22 people have been killed, several women have been raped and hundreds of people have been tortured and injured

The South African government though I have always respected President Zuma for his mediation efforts in Zimbabwe has played a willing accomplice in this ruthless, criminal episode. I do not need a rocket scientist to know that such a horrendous activity of murder and butchering of innocent Africans can take place in their back yard and they will not apprehend any culprit. In 2008 African brothers were roasted alive with tires and ,funny enough, no significant arrests were made. Xenophobia has reared its ugly head again, and now the perpetrators are super charged because they got away with it. It is very clear that the leadership of the country is trying hide behind a finger, but God will judge your nation harshly if you do not repent from the terror you have subjected your neighbors to . I think what is left is a SADC and AU resolve to let South Africa to play alone because it does not play well with neighbors. I know the South African government sympathizes with the victims during the day and celebrate at night, but let it be known to you that what goes around comes around and history shall make you to account for your actions

I appeal to human rights organizations to begin legal action against the South African government on behalf of the victims. These victims should be compensated for shock, torture and death and the hands of their citizens. Some children are now street kids and orphans because of this violence, some people have been displaced while others have their future put in limbo after their meager but hard earned acquired property was set ablaze with these heartless African citizens (South Africans).The actions of our South African brothers have created destitutes and some of the children are now orphans resulting in them dying in the streets from poverty and starvation. I urge the human rights activists to stand up and gather all the data about all the people who were massacred so that the record can be clear to the rest of Africa. South Africans have failed to appreciate that they do not leave in an Island.

Its indeed very painful to realize that some foreign nationals who helped in making the world cup a success left the country fleeing for dear life without being paid for their hard work because of fear .Most South African employers took advantage and delayed to pay these foreign nationals so that they would flee leaving their money behind. Worse still some South Africans have looted the property of foreign nationals which took them a lifetime to acquire. How painful is that, being injured by your own brother.



Civil society should come in urgently to help these hapless people who are struggling to put food on their table. If the government wanted to stamp this xenophobia out it would not take time. Sadly, it seems to be silently approving this callous and satanic act. South Africa should stand and unequivocally tell the continent about its position; about whether or not it is is part of us. We are not ready to force them to be part us; we have played our role of emancipating them.

Simbarashe Chirimubwe is the leader of Concerned Africans Association (CAA) and Global Zimbabwe Forum Coordinator for Africa.

Africa needs foreign investment to tackle infrastructure deficit

By: Keith Campbell
6th July 2010


The infrastructure deficit in Africa currently amounts, in monetary terms, to $1,5-trillion, African Development Bank vice-president and Chief Economist Prof Mthuli Ncube told Engineering News Online on Tuesday. And the continent probably can’t afford to finance all the required development from its own resources.

“A lot of money needs to come from abroad in foreign direct investment,” he highlighted.

“There’s a need to develop roads through quasi-market initiatives such as public-private partnerships. Railway development is very important for Africa. In the 1960s and 70s one could travel from the Cape a lot of the way to Cairo by train, but political conflicts did a lot of damage to railways.”


Rail is the cheapest way to move freight from the interior to the coast, but many ports also need development or refurbishment, particularly in West Africa.

“We also need to develop the airline industry. We need to be able to travel across Africa by air, both passengers and cargo,” he added. “It is very difficult to fly between African countries. For example, to fly from South Africa to Tunisia, you have to go via Paris or Dubai.”

Nor is this all. There is also the need to develop the entire power generation sector. Oil infrastructure has to be expanded, and gas infrastructure developed. There is a need for more dams, for water supply and hydropower.

For example, he cited the Inga project in the western part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). “If it was developed it would be a wonderful project. It would benefit the whole region. The DRC couldn’t possibly use all that electricity.”

Then there is the issue of affordable housing. “One way for people to move into the middle class is to become home owners,” he pointed out.

There are, of course, areas in Africa with concentrations of high-quality infrastructure, such as Southern Africa, in particular South Africa, and North Africa, especially Egypt and Tunisia. “But all regions of Africa need more infrastructure,” he affirmed.

Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter

Africa must be democratic

By Rebaone Tswiio
NDOLA, Zambia - Democracy and political stability in Africa would create a conducive environment for trade and investment, President Lt Gen. Ian Khama Seretse Khama has said.Officially opening the 46th Zambia International Trade Fair on Saturday, President Khama said time was "long overdue" for Africa to rid herself of political instability and poor governance.
"In this day we can no longer patronise one another and watch and do nothing while our people suffer as a result of poor political leadership and bad management of national resources," emphasised President Khama.
He noted that in a democratic dispensation elected leaders owe a duty to their citizens to uphold principles of good governance, democracy and the rule of law, adding that "anything short of this is unacceptable."
President Khama also noted that Botswana and Zambia have had the difficult task of managing their economies during the global economic crunch while they both need to diversify their economies from dependence on the mineral sector.
"We all recognise that our countries can no longer afford to put our eggs in one basket," said President Khama. He added that sustained growth for both economies will require contributions from small, medium and large enterprises.
The fair was held under the theme "Economic recovery through innovation and competitiveness."
President Khama said the theme underscores the need to increasingly engage in systemic initiatives to improve the quality of the goods and services to make them competitive in the international market.

Guest of honour

President Khama noted that despite the financial crisis, Botswana and Zambia have significantly increased trade between them over the last five years.
President Khama emphasised the need for partnerships in mega projects within the region. "We should do everything in our power to ensure that construction of the Kazungula Bridge is complete as soon as possible."
The anticipated launch of a direct air link between Gaborone and Lusaka, he said, should also facilitate the swift movement of people, goods and services in a cost effective manner. BOPA