Undocumented Malawians at the Durban Drive-In site, where local authorities are working on repatriation efforts.
Twice I was there when South Africa was the centre of the universe. The last decade of the 20th century heralded the arrival of a nation poised to lead through moral example, as we pledged never again to repeat our tainted history. Today, many citizens threaten violence against foreigners, and once again we face becoming one of the world's pariahs.
On February 11, 1990, I was glued to the television in my sister's home in the township of Selosesha in Thaba Nchu, where I had just started Standard 8 (Grade 10) at Moroka High School. I had taken a weekend off from the school hostel and, together with a global audience, watched as Nelson Mandela walked free from Victor Verster Prison. Four years later, on April 27, 1994, I was in my village of Nonceba, where I cast my vote at Nonceba Primary School. South Africa opened its arms to all who live in it, and, in turn, the world opened its arms to us.
Now, 32 years and two months later, as principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), I am aghast at the danger of large-scale violence and disruptions aimed at illegal immigrants.
