In this interview, President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, Reverend Frank Onyekwelu, tells BIODUN BUSARI about the realities of life for Nigerians in South Africa, the impact of xenophobic violence on families and businesses, ongoing repatriation efforts, and his hopes for peaceful coexistence
What is the current situation of Nigerians in South Africa?
Some Nigerians have returned home. The repatriation exercise is being facilitated by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, working in collaboration with our missions, the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg.
Nearly 1,000 names were submitted for repatriation. The first flight conveyed about 268 people. They included minors, women, men, youths, and adults who had gone through one challenging situation or another.
Some of them have health issues that no longer allow them to continue living here. Others had their shops looted during protests against foreign nationals, which destroyed their means of livelihood. Their businesses were shut down, vandalised, or looted.
