'SA must deal with xenophobia'

2008-04-03 08:04

Pretoria - South Africa needs to address the issue of xenophobia, said President Thabo Mbeki on Wednesday in the National House of Traditional Leaders in Pretoria.

"Much has been mentioned by yourself concerning foreigners in our areas. I'm very glad that this matter will be addressed naturally together with the relevant government departments.

"I noted what you have said about our tradition with regards to welcoming foreigners ... but (we) need to ensure that treatment was acceptable and that indeed they should not be above our own people," said Mbeki.

This was in response to the house chairperson Peter Kutama's comment on the need to help foreigners coming into the country.

Aware of the conflicts

Kutama said traditional leaders were aware of the problems facing the country, including service delivery, poverty and the influx of foreigners into SA.

Mbeki said he was aware of the conflicts involving foreign nationals.

"I remember even the mayor of the city was raising this matter of conflicts that have taken place in the Tshwane area between South Africans and foreigners which is something that we want to avoid," he said.

On the issue of the SADC House of Traditional Leaders, Mbeki said the government had committed itself to work with the council in the preparations of the launch expected to take place in July.

On the establishment of a department for traditional leadership, Mbeki said the Cabinet had approved this on March 5. Provincial and local government departments would facilitate the process.

Mbeki added that he was impressed by the way in which the house had reacted to the Noord Street mini-skirt incident.

On the issue of the Nhlapo Commission, Mbeki said the first report of the commission had been finalised.

The commission was established to investigate traditional claims and disputes.

He said traditional leaders would be told of the commission's findings and the process was expected to be completed at the end of April.

Buthelezi 'at a disadvantage'

The debate was attended by, among others, Provincial and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi, Tshwane Mayor Gwen Ramakgopa and chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal House of Traditional Leaders Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Buthelezi, however, said that he was "disadvantaged" as he was not present when Mbeki addressed the house in February.

"This has deprived me the opportunity of debating the speech that President Mbeki delivered when he officially opened the house," said Buthelezi.

- SAPA