Ndileka Mandela, the eldest granddaughter of former South African President Nelson Mandela, has condemned xenophobic violence in South Africa, urging citizens not to allow economic hardship and social frustrations to erode the country's founding values of justice, reconciliation and Ubuntu (humanity).
In a video shared by BBC Africa, Mandela said her grandfather's vision for South Africa was rooted in fairness, compassion and respect for human dignity.
"Grandad (Mandela) believed in justice and reconciliation. South Africa was built on the will of dignity, justice, reconciliation and Ubuntu," she said.
She acknowledged that South Africa faces legitimate challenges, including illegal immigration, crime and border management, but stressed that such issues must be addressed within the framework of the law.
"We cannot allow the hardship we face to diminish that, our shared humanity. While these are legitimate concerns about border management, illegal immigration, criminality, this should be addressed firmly through the rule of law."
