'It will take time to change'
2008-06-14 16:46
Johannesburg - Xenophobia is an attitude and it will take time for people with these attitudes to change, said the Gauteng Premiers office.
Spokesperson Simon Zwane said the way to eradicate xenophobia is to change the mind-sets of people who commit violence against others.
Zwane received a memorandum from the International Community Unifier (ICU) on behalf of Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa.
The ICU marched through the Mary Fitzgerald Square to the premier's office to handover a memorandum against xenophobia.
Zwane said the government is listening to the concerns of the displaced foreigners and addressing them.
"We strongly believe re-integration is working."
The memorandum will be handed over to Shilowa and President Thabo Mbeki.
Peaceful and unifying
About 500 foreigners and South African citizens took part in the ICU protest against xenophobia.
It was a very peaceful and unifying protest, said spokesperson Jabulani Matenje.
"People were chanting songs of unity and saying there are no Nigerians, no Zimbabweans just Africans."
"We are brothers and sisters and we need to stand together as one not against each other," he said.
According to the memorandum the displaced foreigners do not want to return home as it would hand victory to the perpetrators of xenophobia
Protesters at he march held placards and sang songs of peace.
One placard read, "Xenophobia targets black foreigners only" and another read, "Voetsak Xenophobia".
The march was supported by several unions including the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM), African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU).
- SAPA