Hundreds of foreign nationals waiting to be processed at the Epping Home Affairs refugee centre in Cape Town. Reflecting on South Africa's journey from a beacon of hope to a nation grappling with xenophobia, the writer explores the urgent need for unity and understanding in the face of rising tensions against immigrants.
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 11 February 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 27 April 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.
