Peace for Africa message by Oliver Mtukudzi
Zimbabwe’s most renowned and internationally recognised cultural icon of all time calls for peace and an end to the xenophobic violence currently taking place in South Africa.
Oliver Mtukudzi is a musician, businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist and also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Southern Africa Region has had collaborations with South African musician over the years.
He has sent out the message below in the hope of reaching out to those in South Africa to put an end to the violence.
Oliver Mtukudzi Peace for Africa Message
Over the last few days I have watched with horror on the news as xenophobic violence broke out in South Africa. African turns on African as we forget the long journey we have travelled together against similar injustice and persecution from others who sought to subjugate us perpetually.
It is unthinkable that in this day and age, when Africa stands on the cusp of the long awaited realization of its greatness, that we can do this sort of thing to one another.
My heart and prayers go out to the people who have been affected, whatever country they are from.
The borders we see today were drawn for us by others. I am urging all South Africans to stand up and say no to the hate of other Africans, no to violence and no murder.
In the same breath I am calling the leaders of Africa to speak out strongly against this madness.
We have always stood together as Africa, from the pre-independence days of our nations when we supported freedom fighters in their cause to more recently when we came together to fight Ebola.
Xenophobia is a scourge that we must get rid of once and for all. It must not be given a chance to manifest ever again. In this light it is not enough to just condemn it, we need to map out a long term plan as a continent to make sure that what we are seeing in South Africa today, never happens again – anywhere in Africa.
Ndini wenyu
Mwana weAfrica
Samanyanga Oliver Mtukudzi
