Double standards

06/06/2008 08:53  - (SA)  |  Pitso Tsibolane | www.news24.com

When Bafana Bafana went to Nigeria last week a lot of threats were generated regarding the protests against xenophobia attacks in the streets of Abuja. Once again, Africa has successfully managed to make a fool of itself and become the laughing stock of the world. Needless to say, South Africans were at the heart of it, having initiated the shameful attacks on foreigners.

It is a fact that Nigerians were not necessarily the biggest victims of the attacks; however, they had a right to voice their disgust. It has since been established that about nine houses had been allocated to foreigners, contrary to government?s earlier denials.

So finally the mystery had been unravelled: 62 Africans died at the hands of other Africans because nine other Africans had been allocated cheap houses. Simplistic I know, but unfortunately that is how some out there in the international world will interpret these numbers.

Another game of numbers recently hit the news; the new Bok coach, Peter De Villiers has included three Zimbabweans - Tonderai Chavhanga, Tendai Mtawarira and Brian Mujati - in his 30 man squad.

Now, if this does not surprise I do not know what will. The same South Africa that went on a rampage killing foreigners for taking their jobs, women and cheap government houses are today welcoming the inclusion of three foreigners into their World Cup winning national team.

Could it be that South Africans have repented, changed from their wicked xenophobic tendencies and are now embracing their foreign brothers? I do not believe that story, on the contrary, South Africans have become even more aware of the "foreigner amongst" them.

One needs to look at the reaction that came up when the government abruptly decided to erect the so called "shelters" (refugee camps) right next to the affluent suburbs. Black and white middle class communities, the good and rational people among us were outraged. "Why do you bring them here? Our property values are going to decline, crime is going to increase, our kids need playing grounds," they said.

Cynical moral convictions

Ahaa! They have not changed, they still share the same irrational fears that exploded into xenophobia, they just do not have time in their hands to take up their arms and "defend" themselves.

So why is it okay that Toderai, Tendai and Brian can take the most prestigious sporting jobs in the land to national acclamation? Why is it that these three brilliant young sportsmen, can walk freely, take up the Springbok jersey, sing Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika and defend our national pride while they cannot walk freely in Tembisa and Diepsloot? It baffles my mind.

These athletes have chosen to settle in a country which has not been hospitable to them, to be the face of a people that resent them. Could it be that we are so desperate see black faces in the rugby national team that we will even contradict our cynical moral convictions about foreigners?

How come that the same people we would kill were they to own a house in a township, are so welcome, good enough to make us cheer loudly as they represent us. This is absurd indeed.

Could it be that common sense has taken over, and that we have embraced the inevitable fact that as the world turns, as politicians rise and fall, as evil men are born and die, people all over the world will move to and fro, in search of the elusive greener pastures in search for safety, food and shelter; in search for greatness to realise their God given right to be the best they can be - to be human beings.