Charles Lee Mathews

As South Africa reeled from the xenophobic violence that has rocked our country, one of the founders of the Black Consciousness Movement, mother to Steve Biko’s two children, Dr Mamphela Ramphele, made an impassioned plea. She reminded us that we are Africans, and as Africans need to remember where we have come from, who we are, and how our future is intimately connected to all who share this continent with us.

Elmy is crying and shaking. She’s a fifty year old Somali woman who lost her children and husband in the civil war that plagued her home country. (For a short overview of the war in Somali watch this Youtube report.) Elmy came to South Africa ten years ago in the hope of forging a new life, but following the xenophobic violence everything she has is gone. Burnt and looted. Like the dream she had for starting over. “I beg President Thabo Mbeki to let me go. This government allowed me to come here. They let me into this country. Now they must please let me go home.”

If you live in Johannesburg, spend a night in a trauma unit in one of the city’s public hospitals. It will change you.

“They were singing ‘Umshini Wam’ (Bring Me My Machine [Gun]). They came to my place and set it alight. I took my radio and ran. From a distance I watched them loot my place. I saw the sticks and panga’s. I saw my home burning. There was nothing I could do. I lost everything. Like everyone here I lost everything.”

As Zimbabweans, Mozambicans and Nigerians are burnt, hacked, shot and beaten to death; as our country’s international stature is decimated; as thousands crowd police stations, churches and other places for safe harbour; as families are torn apart; there’s the profound realisation. This is our collective moment of shame. This is a point in history where we will be asked: “What did you do?”