Soweto@50: Steven Nhyira Odarteifio Condemns Xenophobic Attacks, Urges South Africa to Remember Africa’s Sacrifices
As South Africa commemorated the 50th anniversary of the historic Soweto Uprising on Tuesday, civil rights activist and Pan-African advocate, Steven Nhyira Odarteifio, delivered a passionate address condemning the resurgence of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against fellow Africans living in the country.
Speaking on the significance of June 16, 1976, Odarteifio reminded South Africans that the sacrifices of the students who marched against apartheid were rooted in the struggle for dignity, equality, and justice not hostility toward other Africans.
The activist described the ongoing attacks on African migrants in parts of South Africa as a betrayal of the ideals championed by the heroes of the anti-apartheid struggle, including Hector Pieterson and countless others who lost their lives during the Soweto Uprising.
“Fifty years after Soweto, the greatest betrayal of those young revolutionaries would be for their children and grandchildren to direct their anger toward fellow Africans who are also searching for dignity, opportunity and survival,” he said.
Odarteifio acknowledged the economic frustrations facing many South Africans, citing high unemployment, inequality, and limited opportunities for millions of young people. However, he argued that these challenges should not be blamed on African migrants.
According to him, the architects of apartheid and structural inequality not struggling immigrants from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Somalia and other African nations are responsible for many of the socio-economic difficulties still confronting South Africa.
The activist recalled the immense sacrifices made by African countries during South Africa’s liberation struggle, particularly Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe, Algeria and Libya.
He noted that Nigeria established the Southern African Relief Fund following the Soweto Uprising, with workers, students, market women and civil servants contributing millions of dollars to support anti-apartheid movements despite widespread poverty at home.
“Nigeria did not close its doors. Ghana did not close its doors. Tanzania, Zambia and many others stood with South Africa when freedom seemed distant,” he said.
Odarteifio stressed that African solidarity played a crucial role in dismantling apartheid, warning that attacks on fellow Africans undermine the vision of continental unity championed by leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Nelson Mandela, Nnamdi Azikiwe and other founding fathers of Pan-Africanism.
Addressing South African youths involved in xenophobic violence, he urged them to remember the history of their nation and the support their forebears received from across the continent.
“The Zimbabwean mechanic, the Nigerian entrepreneur, the Ghanaian hairdresser and the Somali trader are not the architects of your suffering. In many cases, they are victims of the same historical injustices,” he stated.
The activist also called on South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the country’s leadership to take decisive steps to curb xenophobic violence and preserve the spirit of Ubuntu, which promotes humanity, compassion and mutual respect.
He argued that no African should be regarded as a stranger anywhere on the continent, adding that the dream of a united and prosperous Africa can only be achieved through cooperation rather than division.
Reflecting on the enduring legacy of the Soweto Uprising, Odarteifio said the greatest tribute to the fallen heroes of 1976 would be to uphold the unity they inspired across Africa.
“We have suffered too much together as Africans to become enemies of one another. Slavery, colonialism and apartheid failed to destroy us. We must not now destroy ourselves,” he declared.
He concluded his address with a call for renewed continental solidarity, urging Africans to recommit themselves to the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of “One Africa, One People, One Destiny.”
The Soweto Uprising of June 16, 1976, remains one of the defining moments in Africa’s liberation history, with the protests by black schoolchildren against apartheid education policies helping to galvanize international opposition to the apartheid regime.
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