Sandile Dikeni
Ever noticed the increase of foreigners in the, shall we call it, town section of the city called Cape Town? This mention is not ominous or meant in any other negative way. It is only a bit suspicious, and those who have lived through our erstwhile racist time will understand this conversation with discomfort.
Needless to say; those who lived a long time in exile will comprehend with the discomfort that comes with a comprehension that comes from consciousness. This is an uncomfortable moment.
The truth is, one is likely to meet them in popular spaces like restaurants, where they are fulfilling tasks that were previously handed over to the South African (black) worker.
These are various little tasks; from waiting in a popular restaurant to cooking in the same place. Between me and you, there can be nothing wrong with that as long as they get the proper remuneration that would have ended up in a South African pocket.
Honestly, I have not researched this thinking, but am fairly content about the possibility of little fault in it. How would you not be content coming from Zimbabwe with limited dinnerho! I can see you taking the money and forgetting about anything else!
Taken closer, I can see myself opting for the same in the same situation. Let me hurry, however, to say I don’t think it is a flattering social space. It is, frankly speaking, a social space no one wants in life. But knowing the elements in the Zimbabwean state mentality, let’s also forget commentary. It is true that Robert Mugabe understands the African plight in the struggles against the narrow minds of some of the Europeans who ran that narrow concept called nation state.
Believe it or not, the UK played a significant role in the mentalities of this state (parliament and monarchy like each other). Let me quickly suggest that South Africans know why we are suddenly an attraction. Not only are we recently liberated, but we also in Africa represent a significant portion of what is known as the thoughts on world economics. (Curiously, I still don’t know the richest economy in Africa. Do you?)
I know that South Africa is not the worst. I also think that the world likes us. Not because we have amazing complexions or an incredible sense of humour (which we have) but we have an incredible geology which the Khoisan advised us to respect! In some crazy way there is something great about having a sociology linked here. It is further not really proven, but an introspect living in the physical essences of South Africa is likely to produce human beings like Nelson Mandela and you.
This writing does not intend to flatter but seek shared attention about the foreign African people who are here. Instead of seeing them as cheap employment, shall we not rather educate the nation about their economic plights. True, we also have our post-apartheid economic blues but are, I think, in a better situation.
Mind, I am not preaching the economic supremacy of South Africa, but rather plead that the many poor Africans in our country need to be articulated in a different way. They are running the risk of non-articulation that will later be understood as common understanding.
That is a risk that should not be taken. Let’s call them to explain to us and the world the steps we need to take. Call it arrogance, but I always thought that when we came to this stage, we did not need to be told about this corner in the sociological histories of our continent.
The rest of Africa in South Africa is known by yours truly when I was the master of ceremonies at a musical concert. Remember, Papa Wemba? Remember Salif Keita? Why are we not inviting them anymore? Okay, maybe these two must be left alone, but other younger African artists will not only entertain us here but will also enjoy and testify to the beauty of this space.
When I say beauty, people are likely to limit us only to physical beauty. That is not only what I mean. I mean the beauty of Chris Barnard and other such magnificent souls. On the other hand, one is also careful not to shout to Zimbabweans and Congolese to please come and mug us, but to beg for a deep sense of thinking about the time.
The world is in an economic crisis. When that is the case, our continent is deeper in that crisis. The attempt here is not to make you conscious but rather ask that we begin to attempt to solve this. Having said that, I also think we need to address this with Africa so as not to come out as the big economy the continent has been waiting for.
I am also suspicious that the rest of the world is looking at us with an eye that seems to demand an exhibition of freedom.
Theirs is cynical, mine is critical. There is a depth in my essence and spirit that asks for us to go further than other moments before in showing these people many depths.
I am pleading that we share with them the invariable realities of life in this sub-continent. I am aware of their deep k-n-o-w-l-e-d-g-e-s in the emotional demanding from us an acknowledgement of that beauty.
I am conscious that those at the restaurants will not have the complexities of world economics blatantly carried in their discourse, in fear of us. Truly, though, the stress of hunger is stronger than the many beautiful strategies we possess in posing our nations.
I am trying to run away from a discourse that constantly shows itself when it seems like we ought to be happy. But then, when I speak about the frequency of sadness when I am jubilant then let me admit that this means that my joy always comes with sadness. Am I not being too poetic? Sentimental? Liberal? Whatever, but I am not going through a wonderful time as a South African. I am not and you know why. Or should I say; you know why.
This is a difficult admission because it asks the nation state to respond. Many people who have seen the actions of the nation in moments like these do not think the state can reply. I am also just hoping.
I am not saying we should blame our unhappiness on these people, I am just humbly suggesting that we take a deeper intensive thought, not boost our egos or make us happy. Our deep thought must, humbly I suggest, relieve them of the miseries of hunger.
It is common knowledge that we as a people are eager to be seen no more as a condescending community. What we need to concentrate on is that our humanistic styles are not around every corner; no. They are, in my opinion, as beautiful as sunlight in a dark summer. I know people are yelling now at me; what is a dark summer? What can I say?
The blatant point I am making is that the consciousness that the number we have of these poor African foreigners makes me uncomfortable. I am uncomfortable. Is that cool?