Toke Makinwa, Funke Akindele and Mo Abudu were among the popular Nigerian celebrities that have condemned the incessant attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
NAN reports the recurring attacks on Nigerians are part of wider xenophobic attacks on foreigners in the rainbow nation.
The federal government, through Geoffrey Onyeama, the minister of foreign affairs, has also summoned Bobby Moroe, the South African high commissioner in Nigeria, over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
South Africans had begun the fresh attacks, looting and burning of businesses and properties belonging to foreigners. They also killed some people in the process.
The attack, which was second within a week, began on Sunday morning in Jeppestown area of Johannesburg when a building was set on fire by angry mobs.
Some Nigerian celebrities took to their social media platforms to implore the government to seek a peaceful resolution to the issue at hand.
“This is so sad. Why? Must violence be the solution to every problem? I woke up to horrific pictures and videos of our countrymen being attacked and killed. This has to stop o!!!,” Funke Akindele wrote.
“We all are out there hustling to put food on our tables! Why the killings. I appeal to the Nigerian government to see to the immediate end of this. All lives matter! #saynotoxenophobia.”
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In her own part, Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife TV, sought for unity in Africa as the only way forward.
“The xenophobic attacks happening in South Africa right now is complete and misplaced anger. We owe it to ourselves as Africans to unite. It’s the only way forward,” she wrote.
“God has blessed us with so many natural and human resources, yet we are unable to unlock this potential. It’s another sad and frustrating day for me as an African woman.
“Our government should find ways to put pressure on the SA government to do more to protect Nigerians who are investing in their country. Let us pray for the protection of all Nigerians abroad and a peaceful resolution to the current troubles.”
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Toke Makinwa, On-air-personality, described the attacks as a huge blow on Africa as a continent.
“We have come so far from the dark ages yet we kill each other. Just hearing about the xenophobic attacks in South Africa and my heart is broken. I cannot even begin to watch the gruesome videos, why? Why so much hate in the world?,” she asked.
We are all Africans, we’ve come so far from the dark ages yet we kill each other, just hearing about the Xenophobic attack in South Africa and my heart is broken, I cannot even begin to watch the gruesome videos,… https://t.co/if3Mtl8Zxs
— Toke Makinwa (@tokstarr) September 3, 2019
“Why do we compete so much it becomes less healthy and more evil, what exactly is the point to all the killings? I love the people of South Africa, I know so many hardworking South Africans and you all have shown me love and so I implore you all to stand up for what is right.
“We all cannot continue in silence if hate lingers nobody wins. Our doors have been nothing but welcoming to you all …now let’s come together and fight this evil in our midst. We are all Africans, a win for us is for us to the world.”
The internet has since been inundated with varying reactions to the fresh xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Here are reactions from other celebrities:
Our government needs to do a whole lot better and treat this matter with urgency, the same urgency we used to fight apartheid with them in the past
— ZAHEER! (@iam_YCee) September 3, 2019
It is disgraceful that decades after apartheid, Black South Africans still struggle to break free from this neoapartheid inferiority complex & perpetual fear of dominance. White S/Africans rarely participate in this display of shame, bcos they dominate your economy. Just shut up! https://t.co/4IK3jd3xZw
— Ayò Bánkólé (@AyoBankole) September 3, 2019
In all of this, the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria hasn’t been invited to the Villa. The Nigerian HC hasn’t been invited home. Still no remarkable move or action by the government. How many Nigerians have to die? How many businesses owned by Nigerians need be burnt?
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) September 2, 2019
This is not the SA that Mandela fought and sacrificed for. This is not the SA that a lot of us have come to know and love. I just watched a video of a man burnt alive in front of a crowd. It's sick, and heartbreaking. "Hell must be empty because all the demons are here". Sigh (3)
— Banky Wellington (@BankyW) September 3, 2019
In all of these, I'm really curious about what the Nigerian Government is doing – and by doing, I'm not talking about another stupid headline saying "FG condemns these killings." ACT!!!
— AG BABY (@adekunleGOLD) September 3, 2019
Most South Africans don’t even have an international passport, they have been no where and have not learnt anything
— Noble Igwe (@Nobsdaslushhkid) September 3, 2019
The real enemy of africa is laughing once again. We need a massive reduction, re-orientation and reorganisation of Africa. Some idiot and backward thinking south Africans have embarrassed the whole continent once again and the problem has shifted from that 2 celebrities.
— IG: @official2baba (@official2baba) September 3, 2019
Disheartening to watch these videos from my home! You’re fighting the wrong war , fighting the wrong people. How do we walk around hating each other? Africa is one! We’re all the same people! Pls don’t loose yourself! #SayNoToXenophobia One Love ❤️
— Wizkid (@wizkidayo) September 3, 2019
It’s like when someone is filled with so much anger towards you and you are not the one they should be fighting. What do you do? How do you make them see that we are supposed to unite to fight real devil, poverty, oppression … pic.twitter.com/U2DajwNCpj
— Tiwa Savage (@TiwaSavage) September 3, 2019
The federal government should provide planes for any Nigerian in South Africa that wants to come home. Borrowing from the examples of Malaysia, India, China, and Turkey the federal government should offer economic incentives for the repatriation of her citizens @NGRPresident pic.twitter.com/12583YJ5Hd
— Stephanie Linus (MFR) (@StephanieLinus) September 3, 2019
There are Nationalities No one can touch in any other country!There’s a Reason why. They have National and International security. Their life (just one)is Valuable and a matter of National Emergency🚨. What is the Value of a Nigerian life !!! #Xenophobia #XenophobicAttacks
— Omotola .j. Ekeinde , MFR (@Realomosexy) September 3, 2019
BLACK ON BLACK ?.African man think o think . We all stood up against apartheid in the times of Botha and MAgret tacha .Mandela preached for forgiveness upon his release . Now we are the targets?
South Africa we… https://t.co/696y49iSBz— @soundsultan (@Soundsultan) September 3, 2019
If you’re not speaking against the stupidity that is #xenophobia then you’re in support of it. #oneafrica pic.twitter.com/DoycR7mWRb
— Bizzle Osikoya (@bizzleosikoya) September 3, 2019
Black South Africans are dwindling in complex issues. Every nation around helped you guys during apartheid. They claim Nigerians are taken their lands but then the Dutch are there. They claim Nigerians sell fake products but then they loot the stores!
— Gabriel Afolayan. (@gabbyluccii) September 3, 2019
Say no to self hate ❤🙏🏾#xenophobia #oneafrica https://t.co/Q1xnsopUzk
— 🤜🏾 #WOMANOFSTEEL 🤛🏾 (@yemialadee) September 3, 2019
Editor’s note: This featured image was used for illustrative purpose.
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